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Experience Appalachian Mountain Club's High-Mountain Huts in Winter Solitude
Winter is the perfect time to head to some of the Appalachian Mountain Club’s huts and experience the peaceful beauty of winter in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Three huts are open this season: Lonesome Lake, Zealand Falls, and Carter Notch.
Getting to the huts in winter is very different from summer. Various routes are available to each hut and AMC’s website provides information on the trails in winter. All trails will be easier if hikers use ski poles and wear something on their feet for traction, such as snowshoes, crampons or skis with skins (the website recommends the best “tools” for each trail).
Winter is a great time to observe animal signs as the snow makes a perfect canvas for animal tracks. Here are some of the animals and birds you may see, hear, or see signs of when you visit the huts this winter: moose, snowshoe hare, weasel (pine marten), fox, red squirrel, Eastern chipmunk, pileated woodpecker, golden-crowned kinglet, spruce grouse, white-winged crossbill and the black-capped chickadee.
Lonesome Lake Hut
Lonesome Lake Hut is the latest hut to open for the winter. The main building has been winterized with a new insulated roof, new shingles, interior paneling, woodstove and more. The caretakers are excited to talk with overnight guests and day visitors alike about the surrounding environment, local winter wildlife and astronomy.
As always, the wintry view of Franconia Ridge across Lonesome Lake is breathtaking, and Lonesome Lake Hut is sure to be a favorite for families because of its accessibility.
Wild Wonders: Around Lonesome Lake, you have an excellent chance of seeing snowshoe hares and their distinctive tracks. Look for the large prints of the huge rear feet that function as "snowshoes" and keep the hare from sinking into the snow.
Zealand Falls Hut
Located in Zealand Notch, the former scene of indiscriminate logging and devastating fires in the nineteenth century, this hut occupies a choice four-season spot near waterfalls and outstanding views at the eastern edge of the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
Wild Wonders: The area around Zealand is one of the best places in the White Mountains to see wildlife. On the way to Zealand, you may be lucky enough to spot a moose or moose tracks.
Carter Notch Hut
It's relaxing as usual at this beautiful year-round self-service destination. Did you know that the main hut up at cozy Carter is the oldest standing building in the AMC's system, built in 1913? Come see for yourself why this is perennially one of the most popular winter destinations in the White Mountains.
Wild Wonders: One exciting species observed this winter by the Carter caretaker is the black-backed three-toed woodpecker.
The appalachian Mountain Club website, www.outdoors.org, provides general midwinter trail recommendations and all travel times are approximate. See the website for details on each hut's accommodations, operating season, rates, booking and more. Be sure to call AMC at (603) 466-2721 for the latest trail conditions and trail information before you head out.
AMC Outdoor Explorations
If you're new to winter trail travel, check into AMC Outdoor Explorations. AMC Outdoor Explorations are a good way for you to try something new or brush up on your skills. Best of all, the daily and weekend Explorations are free for guests—simply show up and learn.
Offered at AMC's White Mountain lodges, the daily and weekend Explorations are a great way to get the most out of your stay, whether you're a weekend warrior or have an entire week of adventure planned. Stop in to a one-hour clinic before heading out on your own for the day. Or sign up for a half-day guided snowshoe or cross-country ski tour with AMC's friendly staff to lead you.
Daily explorations: All season long, stop in for free, one-hour winter skills sessions with AMC's expert staff. Topics vary depending on the location and weather, but could include map and compass navigation, animal tracking, winter gear packing, and Leave No Trace principles. Offered daily at the Highland Lodge at Crawford Notch and every Wednesday through Sunday at Joe Dodge Lodge at Pinkham Notch, these skills sessions are a great refresher for novice and experienced adventurers.
Another option is to stay at Highland Lodge and sign up for a free, half-day guided snowshoe or cross-country ski tour, offered daily this winter. Look for animal tracks and get to know the natural history of this spectacular region with an AMC expert by your side.
Weekend explorations: Need a refresher lesson before getting out on your cross-country skis this season? Then join the Appalachian Mountain Club for a free, one-hour clinic every weekend at Highland Lodge. Maybe you've always wanted to try snowshoeing? Choose this clinic instead and discover the fun of exploring the winter woods on snowshoes.
Joe Dodge Lodge offers a free, guided snowshoe walk every weekend, plus a guided natural history ski tour at Great Glen Trails Outdoor Center Sunday mornings throughout the season.
Multi-day adventures and skill training: AMC's Multi-Day Adventures and Skills Courses get you outside, get you active and build your outdoor skills. Learn to ice climb and winter hike or master wilderness first aid. Or, choose a guided tour to a winter hut with an expert AMC guide to lead you.
Based at AMC Destinations in New Hampshire's White Mountains and New Jersey's Delaware Water Gap, enjoy great outdoor adventure and learn new skills without having to worry about the details. The Appalachian Mountain Club will take care of your lodging (and camping when necessary), make sure you have the right equipment, and do the trip planning. Most trips and courses are only 2–4 days, designed to fit into your busy schedule. A variety of programs are scheduled for March: winter mountaineering, backcountry Alpine ski mountaineering, backcountry Alpine ski camp, two guided Presidential traverses, exploring Zealand Notch on skis, yoga and hiking, wilderness first aid, and navigation by map and compass.
Learn more about AMC Outdoor Explorations by visiting the website, www.outdoors.org.