Source
r/wmnf•
planification

Hut to hut itinerary

Hi all,

I'm planning my trip, will be taking the bus up from Boston (no car, visiting for a wedding). I just want to make sure my itinerary makes sense.

Night 1: Bus to Joe Dodge Lodge 9 pm Day 2: Shuttle to Highland Center in morning at 8 am, hike to Mitzpah Spring Hut Day 3: Lake of the Clouds Hut Day 4: Madison Spring Hut Day 5: Carter Notch Hut Day 6: Leave Carter Notch at 5:30 am to make 8 am bus back to Boston

I stay pretty active, and have done 40 miles at Pictured Rocks. I'm not looking to set any records or anything, but don't want to get to the next hut too early, and want balance what I'm spending on accommodation without suffering too much. Thoughts? Modifications? Am I going too easy here?

Posted May 8, 2022, 3:30 PM UTC

48
NyQuilODvictum•

That will be a great trip, if you going directly there from highland center to mizpah, you might find yourself with lots of time that day, I'd suggest adding in the Webster-jackson trail and hit Mt Jackson and maybe also Mt. Webster.

My dad is 55 and in ok shape and he was able to hike from highland center to lake of the clouds in one shot, with plenty of time to spare, so I would also consider that.

12
DirkDirkinson•

Agreed I would definitely plan at least hitting Jackson that day. The hike from highland to mizpah is not very long even at a casual pace.

Depending on what time they leave the huts and how fast they hike they may find they have a decent amount of free time on the following days as well.

6
Neverwhere77•

Looks pretty unhurried, should be fun

6
PintacOnAcid•

Sounds very reasonable and well planned; just keep in mind that you’ll miss dinner in Pinkham Notch if you get there at 9… might want to make a sandwich for the bus. 😁

5
SquirrelyStu•

Totally doable time wise just keep in mind the going gets tougher from Lakes to Carter notch.

Why bother staying at Pinkham though? You know you can stay the night at the Highland Center right?

2
planificationOP•

Yes, but the bus I'm aware of arrives once at 8:10 pm at Pinkham, and leaves Pinkham once at 8:07 am (Concord Bus Lines). The AMC shuttles don't really line up with that currently. But it seems like I can arrive at Pinkham at night, shuttle to the Highland Center first thing in the morning, and walk back to Pinkham. I'm adding on Carter with the plan of leaving at 5:30 am and making good time downhill (2 hrs) to catch the bus back to Boston. I could be terribly wrong about something though.

2
ScarletOK•

The only thing I would add is realize that depending on the weather you may need to bail from the portions above tree line. Think about where to do that along the way and pay attention to what the guide book says about that. I hope you have glorious weather!

2
planificationOP•

Update: Lincoln, NH has a Concord Bus stop at the BP 7/11 to start the trip, walk to Pinkham Notch and take the bus back

1