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Appalachian Mountain Club Huts – Gear List

Appalachian Mountain Club Huts Gear List

The Appalachian Mountain Club runs 8 rustic, but comparatively luxurious mountain huts in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, all in spectacular locations. Listed south to north, these include

  • Lonesome Lake Hut, located beside a glacial lake on Cannon Mountain
  • Greenleaf Hut, just above treeline on Mt. Lafayette
  • Galehead Hut, in the midst of the Pemigewasset Wilderness Area
  • Zealand Falls Hut, located next to spectacular waterfalls
  • Mizpah Spring Hut, located near Crawford Notch
  • Lakes of the Clouds Hut, on the southern shoulder of Mt Washington
  • Madison Spring Hut, at the base of the summit cone of Mt. Madison
  • Carter Notch Hut, at the foot of Carter Dome and Wildcat Mountain

All of them were constructed close to the Appalachian Trail to permit hut-to-hut traverses through the White Mountains. Inside, hikers sleep in co-ed bunk rooms that house anywhere from 40 to 96 visitors a night. Two meals, breakfast and dinner, are served in a common dining area, and  all of the huts have running water and toilets, but there are no showers or baths.

The huts are manned by workers called croo, formerly called Hut Men, back in the old days when the huts were almost exclusively staffed by men. Each hut’s croo is responsible for taking care of guests, cooking meals and educating them about the unique environmental and natural resources in the region.

White Mountain Hut - Human Resupply

In addition, the croo is often called upon as first responders in an emergency and is responsible for carrying food and supplies up to the huts several times a week. The preferred method for hauling these loads over the years is still the packboard, with loads ranging from 85 to 100 lbs. Boxes of fruit, eggs, vegetables, flower, turkeys and even an occasional six-pack of beer are humped up on these packboards several times per week to feed hungry visitors. Climbing 3,000 ft with one of these loads is not for the faint-hearted, but it’s a great way for the croo, including this fellow, to stay in shape.

Greenleaf Hut below Mt Lafayette
Greenleaf Hut below Mt Lafayette

The Huts are open during the day to passing hikers and are a reliable place to fill up water bottles and reservoirs with potable water. But they close during dinner and in the evening for the exclusive use of paying guests.

When packing for a hut-to-hut trip, it’s important to bring rain gear because you can’t postpone a reservation due to bad weather. It can also get quite cold and even snow at the higher elevations even in the height of summer, so we recommend that you bring insulating layers like a fleece jacket, a headlamp, water bottles, and extra food in addition to comfort items for sleeping in the communal bunkrooms.

Sleeping Bag Liner
Crocs or Slippers
Long Underwear (for sleeping)
Rain Jacket
Rain Pants
Headlamp
Fleece Jacket
Trekking Poles
Large Day Pack
Water Bottles (2)
Tooth brush & toothpaste
Ear Plugs
Sleep Mask
Mouse Traps

Most of the AMC huts are only open from late spring through early autumn, but several, including Lonesome Lake, Zealand Falls, and Carter Notch are also open in winter. Getting to these huts in winter can be very challenging because guests need to snowshoe or ski into them. Depending on conditions, full winter gear may be required, and knowing how to traverse avalanche terrain safely is important.

For Hut reservations, contact the Appalachian Mountain Club. 

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42 comments

  1. Packboards! Crazy! Great shot. Had you just said packboards and not shown us I dont think I would have know what you meant.

  2. Those packboards are pretty insane. They also don't have hip belts. I've read some historical documents from the AMC that say that the hut men used to carry up to 200 lbs a load.

  3. That looks like a very cool spot to stay. Do they charge to stay or is it all volunteer services and free to stay/eat? Either way, the concept is great.

  4. Awesome post and great pics – I can't imagine what one of the croo looks like after a summer gig like that. Not just the intense loads they hike in, but the environment and good company as well. Nice site!

  5. Will be interesting to see if they are any negative comments on this post. Some NH hikers really dislike the AMC. The AT thru hikers hate them.

    The huts were a perfect way for Adam and I to transition from day hikes to backpacking.

    I would enjoy hiking the hut system That would be a way to spend 8-10 days.

    • Tom,

      Good point.

      First I’d like to start by saying I really like the AMC and the work that they do. I have made friends with AMC staff and they are all very helpful. I occasionally stop in Pinkham Notch and the Highland Center. I’m a member and I do stop in the huts to fill my water (since its slightly easier than breaking out the drops and the huts usually monopolize a water source anyways) as I round out my 48. I’ll also add that I think the huts are ascetically pleasing, the people you meet are always nice, and if a hut is the only way you’ll do it, “tis better to have hiked and hut than to have never hiked at all.” Now that I’ve cleared the air I think it’s ok to offer some obvious criticism of the hut system.

      First of all, the huts are extremely expensive for what you’re getting. If this is the price that’s required to balance the budget, so be it and if the price-point is filling beds and that money is going to trail up-keep than that is fine. But the AMC knows that they’ve priced a lot of regulars out of the market. When you first hear “Hut” you’re thinking “Great, I’m an AMC member, probably $10 a person, maybe $20 maximum?”. Yes, its a roof and breakfast but for a lot of people $85 is a full day of work and if you regularly come to the Whites, between gas and other expenses… its just financially irresponsible for some. When you consider that a descent motel room in the middle of North Conway can be had for $55 it makes it a difficult financial justification too. If you just like hiking for hiking’s sake than the idea of descending, going out to eat, getting a good nights sleep and hiking the next day can seem more appealing than spending even more and hiking less.

      Then there are the other good points I hear people make. For one, the huts limit your camping options since you’re not suppose to camp within a 1/4 mile radius. Second, a lot of people go hiking to get away from people and connect with nature. I know some people enjoy outings with their friends or a hiking group and I think that’s great. I live in Boston behind a fast food restaurant, across from 4 night clubs, and hiking on the weekends is about getting away from society, not recreating it at 3,500 feet. There are others who feel the same. The solitude in nature is part of the magic of hiking. This is why hiking in winter, before the mobs of fare weather trekkers hit the scene, is so special. So not only do I find the idea of sleeping with a ton of strangers unappealing for the simple fact that its the kind of environment I’m trying to get away from, but also the huts draw a lot of traffic during day hikes and since a lot of trails intersect with them… you’re going to be brought into the fold no matter what.

      I’ve also heard the point that huts don’t really serve regular hikers. Rather, they are an easy way for affluent hikers from far away places like New York, Maryland, Pennsylvania, to have strategic break-points and easy accommodations while they finish a hiking goal. I never use this term myself but a common term I’ve heard used among avid hikers and locals is “Appalachian Money Club” which pokes fun at the fact that some of the AMC offerings like the huts and classes are financially out of reach for a lot folks.

      In other words, a retired couple from New Jersey who’s spent 10 years working on their 48 may have no problem spending any kind of money on their annual trip to the Whites because its more of a vacation. They don’t need to carry tents, they can gain the ridge and bag a few peaks in a long weekend without having much vertical gain, and they can use the hut as a strategic drop-off to make their load next-to-nothing. I completely understand this mentality, when I go on trips outside the Whites I inherently have a larger budget and expect to spend more. I find seasonal enthusiasts, boyscouts, and college groups to account for a lot of the hut lovers; the ones you see walking around eating pancakes in their pajamas at 10AM when you stop to fill-up after gaining the ridge.

      Then there’s obviously an environmental impact as well since I often find myself picking up more trail garbage the closer I get to the huts.

      • Chris – I think the closer you live to NH, the more ambivalent you are to the price of the huts. Most locals would never pay that amount, although staying in the huts in winter when they are self-service is far more affordable, less crowded and pleasant. The way I figure it, if people from out of state want to come to the White Mountains and stay in the huts, let them. There are plenty of alternatives, many not managed by the AMC which are less expensive, and provide just as much convenience (consider the RMC huts) to mountains and alpine zones.

        As for the benefits of the huts, which I think you’ve overlooked: they prevent a lot more damage to delicate areas of the whites than they foster; they provide a ready supply of search and rescue volunteers when people need help; and they provide many educational opportunities for people to learn how to behave in the wilderness “correctly”, in a low impact manner.

        Finally, the garbage near the huts (and any forest protection area (FPA) in the whites) is not caused by huts, by but by people who believe they’ll be fined if they litter inside FPA boundaries.

        • Those are good points I did not consider. I also agree with you about the huts being more appealing in winter. As for litter, I think its mostly accidental regardless of the political boundaries. However, its usually things like plastic juice box straws and skittles bags.

          Time to bag some peaks. Happy hiking ;)

        • Chris overlooks the fact that a hut stay includes dinner. As to the cost, please consider that the croo must be paid to lug a load like that up 3000 feet of elevation gain! Oh and things like fuel are brought in by helicopter. Your $55 room in North Conway isn’t miles from the nearest road.

        • If someone still knows of a $55 room in North Conway please send a message. Tough to find a room for less than double that these days… but it would be a room for 2-4 as opposed to the $140pp rate at the huts. I don’t quibble with what the AMC wants to charge though – free market society and all, pay it or don’t.

  6. At $84/night, they are not thru hiker friendly. But there are 2 spots open for thru-hikers each night that are free for work exchange, and they get to eat leftovers if there are any.

  7. The bunkrooms in the huts are now coed. Also Greenleaf, Galehead, and Mizpah are open in May on caretaker basis. In late May (this year), I spent a very windy and rainy day at Flea waiting out a bad storm. Staying at a hut open on caretaker basis is an enjoyable experience.

  8. We leave tomorrow to do a Hut traverse and we are looking forward to it. it will stand in this year as our "big" vacation. we did however pay significantly less than 84$ a night except for our saturday stay!

  9. It looks like you and Sherpa will have great weather this weekend. I'll be in the southern Presidentials on Saturday hiking from Eisenhower to Boot Spur. It doesn't sound like you'll be at Lake of the Clouds hut by then, but who knows. Maybe her royal highness will let me go back on Sunday for a short hike near Zealand on the AT and I'll run into you.

    Our "big" summer vacation this year is a trip to southern Scotland in a few weeks. Much cheaper than our usual Catskills holidays.

    Enjoy your hike and get an early start. Thunderstorms in the Whites start to build around 2-3 PM. I can't wait to see your photos on Facebook and tag you!

  10. While they are very expensive for thru hikers, they don't hate them. The amc has some options for such hikers. While I was Lonesome Lake this past summer, a thru hiker walked into the hut. The croo allowed the man to wash the dishes, and as payment gave him a full meal for dinner. Basically, this man was Extremely happy, as he just recieved the best meal he had eaten in months.

  11. In July do I need to bring a sleeping bag to stay in the GREENLEAF hut?

  12. I have spent many nights at these huts in the last 5 years or so, and have yet to see separate men’s/women’s dorms. Maybe it was once the case?

  13. A few more pro-hut benefits are up to date weather, good hearty food for purchase, and a short selection of gear mend/basic equipment if you need it. Staff knowledge and upbeat attitude is a plus.

    • I first stayed in the huts in 1969. They were approximately $8.00 a night and the food was like a Thanksgiving feast almost every night. Most have since been renovated but the food isn’t what it use to be. Back then and for a number of years afterward there were separate mens and womens bunk rooms. At least today, the bathrooms are still separate. Then, as now, your bunk comes with several wool blankets and a pillow. I always bring a pillow case if I stay in a hut but never a sleeping bag. I believe there is a lot more privacy in a tent however the huts serve a purpose. I still use the high huts if I am going to hike the Presidentials or the Lafayette range. They offer the best protection for inclement weather which can come up unexpectedly and be somewhat dangerous. Because of my age, I find it difficult to climb up high with a heavy backpack; the huts make the highest peaks still possible. I believe the going rate is $116 a night for AMC members and $139 for non-members.

  14. Everyone would be a thru hiker if they didn’t have to poop in the woods.

  15. I have stayed at most all of the huts, some more than once. They are a little pricey, but to me and my family, well worth it. Good article, but a mouse trap? Is that a joke?

  16. This was about 10 years ago, I was staying at Zealand Hut, and a few AT thru hikers came. They did stay outside on the bench while the paying guests ate, but they were fed after, and were allowed to bed down in the dining room after the guests went to their bunk rooms, no charge. This was because they offered to clean up, and help the croo pick up, sweep, do dishes, ect. I thought it was nice, they were good folks, and were welcome by the guests without any ambivalence about paying, or not. Not sure if they can still do that?

  17. Beckie (Beckie and Prema on the trail reports)

    1. My daughter and I occasionally stay at the huts. We call it “Luxury Night.” Since we haven’t been in several years, I am considering a two-nighter at Madison or Lakes of the Crowds (joke here, not a misspelling) and we can cover a lot of trails we haven’t done yet. 2. Eggs – I have wondered from time to time if anyone has ever slipped and broken them all!

  18. The cost now is closer to $125/night/person (full service) and ~$50/night/person (self-service). Also add a pillow to the list of gear and depending on season something heavier than a sleeping bag liner. They don’t provider the pillow & 3 blankets that they used to pre-covid.

    They’re an expensive option but in cases allow for some to be able to do things they otherwise would be unwilling or unable to do. No one is forcing anyone else to stay there and the huts have a pretty good history of booking to capacity so it’s tough to take too much issue with the cost.

    The last few I stopped in at had a predominantly female Croo (one was completely female). Not saying it’s good or bad, just an interesting change from the “old days”.

    • I’m always amazed that the AMC fills these huts with people who are willing to hike up very steep and difficult trails to stay in the huts. I have no idea how grandparents get up to Greenleaf, Galehead, or Madison for example. You’d figure that exorbitant nightly cost would include a helicopter taxi service!

  19. This 75+ year old gr grandparent plants one boot in front of the other to get to those high places! I will admit to questioning my sanity but I’ve found that’s the only strategy that gets me there. And, in my early hiking days, I had the good fortune of getting that helicopter ‘taxi -ride’ from the summit of Washington back to a local campground. Nope, not a rescue. My good friend’s husband helicoptered supplies to the huts. We got a late start on our 1st hike up Washington on a hot humid day. He offered to fly us one way – I opted for the return. Wonderful memories! And I thoroughly enjoy your reviews and and comments. on SectionHiker

  20. Why mousetraps and how would one place them?

  21. G-Pa…Bob Simons

    We have a granddaughter, Samana, who is a first-time croo at GREENLIEF. Wonderful way to spend a summer while attending Smith college. Go Samana!

  22. Why the hell would you need mouse traps?

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