The AMC 3 Huts Loop
“I like the mountains because they make me feel small. They help me sort out what's important in life.” --
Over the past few years I have really gotten into doing loops and traverses on the trails. I did the Pemi Loop and the Wapack trail for the first time back in 2017 and made it through the Moriah Carters Wildcats traverse last fall.
One of my goals is to make it through the 46 mile Huts traverse, where you visit each of the 8 AMC huts. While I don't think I am quite ready for that, a regular Presidential Traverse just didn't seem like enough mileage (not to mention the logistics can be a pain).
So this past weekend my friend Doug and I tackled what I call the AMC 3 Huts Loop. We visited the Carter Notch Hut, the Lake and the Clouds Hut, and the Madison Springs Hut. We tied together six of the NH 4000 footers: Wildcat A and D, Washington, Jefferson, Adams, and Madison. This made for a 12+ hour day with 26+ miles and 11,000+' climbing. We had views, we spent time in the clouds, and all and all had a pretty good time.
For those looking to spend more time in the mountains, this a great challenging course to get more experience. My details and route info are below.
Start to Carter Notch Hut
We started just after 5am from the Great Gulf Trail head parking lot a few miles north of Pinkham
Notch. From here we had our only road section heading south on Rt 16 for about half a mile. Next we picked up Nineteen Mile Brook Trail and took that 3.6 miles to the Carter Notch Hut. We arrived just after 6am and sat down for a couple of minutes before heading back out on our way.
Carter Notch + Wildcat A and D to Rt 16
We spent the next 25 minutes summiting Wildcat (A) via the Appalachian Trail which included ~1000' climbing in just over a mile. Nothing like getting the heart moving. Additionally it was a bit humid out so we got pretty drenched quickly. The views were still pretty good at this time, but we could see what we would get heading into the clouds once we crossed into the Presidential Range. After a little bit of descending and some more climbing we reached the top of Wildcat (D) Mountain Ski area and climbed up on the platform to enjoy the view.
Over the next 50 minutes we descended back down to 16. I knew this section would be tough from last fall, but with less miles on my legs than the previous year we were able to push the pace a bit. As we passed the Ellis river just before 16, we stopped filled out bottles, and stuck our heads in the water to cool off. We completed the first 8.5 miles in just over 3.5 hours. Not flying, but not too bad considering we had already put in over 3,500' climbing and stopped for a handful of pictures.
RT 16 to Mount Washington via Glen Boulder Trail and Lake in the Clouds Hut
Once we got moving again we were hoping that we would find some more run-able terrain. We headed up the Glen Boulder trail to Gulf Peak. The climbing was unrelenting, but the view back towards Wildcat was amazing (If you look closely, you can see the platform that we stood on from the ski area).
Once we reached Davis Path, we made the decision head straight for Lake in the Clouds. My original route had us going south east on Davis Path and taking Isolation trail over to Eisenhower (that route would have been 34+ miles with 13,000+' climbing).
Soon there after we entered into the clouds and after a little bit of bush whacking (over grown trail) we made our way to the hut. It was so foggy that we literally couldn't see the building until we were on top of it. As we passed just a few feet from the pond, Doug literally said, "Hey there is a lake here." The name of the hut and lake were doing themselves self justice.
By now it was 11am and we had covered 13.5 miles in about 6 hours. We sat around for a good 30+ minutes chatting with hikers and the hut staff. I purchased a hot chocolate and had a PB and J sandwich which helped revive me.
Lake in the Clouds to Washington, Clay, Jefferson, and Adams
The climb up to Washington (via the Crawford Path) really wasn't too bad. A bit windy, but otherwise pretty cool in the fog. After a brief stop for some pics and water refill we continued on. Next we took the Gulfside trail with excursions over the Clay loop, Jefferson loop, to hit the peaks, and then on to Adams. We were moving along alright, but the majority of the trail is large boulders and it is difficult to move quickly or find a rhythm. We met a few women from Quebec and they were like you started where? By the time we reached the summit of Adams we were over 9 hours and 20 miles in and ready to be done climbing.
Adams to Madison with a stop at the Madison Spring Hut
Unfortunately the descent down to the Madison Spring Hut isn't that easy either. Just more boulders. But as we got closer to the hut we finally exited the clouds and were granted beautiful views of the surrounding mountains again.
Once at the hut I purchased a slice of bread and a glass of lemonade ($1 each) and sat down. One of the staff came over and talked to us for a few. I guess shorts and hydration packs gave it away we planning to move fast over a longer trek. He first asked if we were doing the Presidential Traverse and we told him we were getting in most of it. Once we told him we started way over on the other side of Carter Notch he seemed a bit more intrigued and got a map. After tracing out our route he said "I don't know if this is impressive or crazy." I replied, "I like to think both." Later that evening my 7 year old son coined the term impresscraze.
After we left the hut, we had one final climb up Madison before 5ish mile decent back to the car.
Madison to the Great Gulf Trailhead
Shortly after we reached the summit it began to rain a bit again, but didn't last long as the sun was out. As we descended a rainbow appeared off in the distance below us. It was pretty cool to look down on it and reminded me of my time running above the clouds at Transvulcania last
year. The timely thing about this rainbow is it looked like it was coming from our vehicle. We joked we were off to find our pot o' gold.
That last descent took us almost 2 hours. Miles 23 and 24 we dropped 1400' and 1200' respectively. With just under 2 miles to go the trail finally opened up and we able to really run again. It was kind of funny that we felt like we were flying and still going 12 minute per mile pace.
Just before we got back to the parking lot we crossed a foot bridge over the Peabody River. I felt nostalgic remembering when I first finished the Pemi loop (crossing the Pemigewasset River). Great way to end a hard day.
Special thanks to Doug for joining me on this adventure.
- Scot
Over the past few years I have really gotten into doing loops and traverses on the trails. I did the Pemi Loop and the Wapack trail for the first time back in 2017 and made it through the Moriah Carters Wildcats traverse last fall.
One of my goals is to make it through the 46 mile Huts traverse, where you visit each of the 8 AMC huts. While I don't think I am quite ready for that, a regular Presidential Traverse just didn't seem like enough mileage (not to mention the logistics can be a pain).
 |
| The Start |
For those looking to spend more time in the mountains, this a great challenging course to get more experience. My details and route info are below.
Start to Carter Notch Hut
We started just after 5am from the Great Gulf Trail head parking lot a few miles north of Pinkham
Carter Notch + Wildcat A and D to Rt 16
We spent the next 25 minutes summiting Wildcat (A) via the Appalachian Trail which included ~1000' climbing in just over a mile. Nothing like getting the heart moving. Additionally it was a bit humid out so we got pretty drenched quickly. The views were still pretty good at this time, but we could see what we would get heading into the clouds once we crossed into the Presidential Range. After a little bit of descending and some more climbing we reached the top of Wildcat (D) Mountain Ski area and climbed up on the platform to enjoy the view.
 |
| Doug with Carter Notch below |
RT 16 to Mount Washington via Glen Boulder Trail and Lake in the Clouds Hut
Once we got moving again we were hoping that we would find some more run-able terrain. We headed up the Glen Boulder trail to Gulf Peak. The climbing was unrelenting, but the view back towards Wildcat was amazing (If you look closely, you can see the platform that we stood on from the ski area).
 |
| Gulf Peak looking back at Wildcat |
Once we reached Davis Path, we made the decision head straight for Lake in the Clouds. My original route had us going south east on Davis Path and taking Isolation trail over to Eisenhower (that route would have been 34+ miles with 13,000+' climbing).
Soon there after we entered into the clouds and after a little bit of bush whacking (over grown trail) we made our way to the hut. It was so foggy that we literally couldn't see the building until we were on top of it. As we passed just a few feet from the pond, Doug literally said, "Hey there is a lake here." The name of the hut and lake were doing themselves self justice.
By now it was 11am and we had covered 13.5 miles in about 6 hours. We sat around for a good 30+ minutes chatting with hikers and the hut staff. I purchased a hot chocolate and had a PB and J sandwich which helped revive me.
Lake in the Clouds to Washington, Clay, Jefferson, and Adams
Adams to Madison with a stop at the Madison Spring Hut
Unfortunately the descent down to the Madison Spring Hut isn't that easy either. Just more boulders. But as we got closer to the hut we finally exited the clouds and were granted beautiful views of the surrounding mountains again.
Once at the hut I purchased a slice of bread and a glass of lemonade ($1 each) and sat down. One of the staff came over and talked to us for a few. I guess shorts and hydration packs gave it away we planning to move fast over a longer trek. He first asked if we were doing the Presidential Traverse and we told him we were getting in most of it. Once we told him we started way over on the other side of Carter Notch he seemed a bit more intrigued and got a map. After tracing out our route he said "I don't know if this is impressive or crazy." I replied, "I like to think both." Later that evening my 7 year old son coined the term impresscraze.After we left the hut, we had one final climb up Madison before 5ish mile decent back to the car.
Madison to the Great Gulf Trailhead
Shortly after we reached the summit it began to rain a bit again, but didn't last long as the sun was out. As we descended a rainbow appeared off in the distance below us. It was pretty cool to look down on it and reminded me of my time running above the clouds at Transvulcania last
year. The timely thing about this rainbow is it looked like it was coming from our vehicle. We joked we were off to find our pot o' gold.That last descent took us almost 2 hours. Miles 23 and 24 we dropped 1400' and 1200' respectively. With just under 2 miles to go the trail finally opened up and we able to really run again. It was kind of funny that we felt like we were flying and still going 12 minute per mile pace.
Just before we got back to the parking lot we crossed a foot bridge over the Peabody River. I felt nostalgic remembering when I first finished the Pemi loop (crossing the Pemigewasset River). Great way to end a hard day.
-- Total time: 12 hours, 24 minutes -- Moving Time: 8:44 -- Route: Strava --
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| Crossing the Peabody River into the finish |
- Scot
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