View Full Version : Great Gulf trail/White Mtn info
Hello White Mountain authorities! My folks are doing a weeks hike from Carter Notch Hut to Crawford Notch, hiking hut to hut. I'm trying to make life as easy on them as possible, with the easiest, shortest routes.
I noticed the Great Gulf trail that cuts from around Lakes of the Cloud/Washington to Madison. Is this router shorter or easier than the AT? How is the scenary compared to the AT from Washington to Madison.
Thanks for any help. They are worried about making the miles so I'm trying to lighten them up as much as possible and scout out easier routes.
Tom Murphy
08-01-2008, 16:51
The easiest way is to hike out 19 miles brook, up Tuckerman, across the lawn to the Lakes Hut, and then down Crawford path. That is a good long hike.
Sending them to Madsion first , essentially a Presi Traverse, is a tough hike. 12 -15 hours.
Are they staying at Lakes or Mitzpah?
The easiest way is to hike out 19 miles brook, up Tuckerman, across the lawn to the Lakes Hut, and then down Crawford path. That is a good long hike.
Sending them to Madsion first , essentially a Presi Traverse, is a tough hike. 12 -15 hours.
Are they staying at Lakes or Mitzpah?
They are staying a night at Carter, a night near Pinkham, a night at Madison, Lakes and Mizpah. They already have reservations so there isn't much space for getting super creative. I had them plan it out so they were hiking north (easier, starting with the Crawford Path instead of Webster Cliffs) but the huts made them reverse their itinerary. I already have them thinking they should take the Gondola up Wildcat to cut off the steep climb out of Pinkham.
I don't have the map with me now, but is the 19 mile brook/Tukerman route doable in a day from Madison to Lakes Hut?
peakbagger
08-01-2008, 17:15
The great gulf trail from Madison to lakes would require a 3000 foot descent down from Madison and 4000 foot climb back up the side of Washington. Not a lot of views unless you like mature softwoods stands with lots of streams and waterfalls. The climb up out of Spaulding Lake is about as steep as it gets in the whites, right up a bony scree slope. The AT is definitely the prefered route with spectacular views. Note there are no good options to do the walk from Madison to Lakes in bad weather except walking down to Appalachia and catching a shuttle to the Amonusuc parking lot. The options from Lakes to Mizpah in bad weather are also not very good.
Not sure on the logic of the wildcat Gondola, If they are heading south from Carter, they have a big chunk of the elevation they would need to climb up to Wildcat. If they want to skip the walk down from Widcat to Pinkham they could take a gondola down or walk down the ski trail.
peakbagger
08-01-2008, 17:19
The great gulf trail from Madison to lakes would require a 3000 foot descent down from Madison and 4000 foot climb back up the side of Washington. Not a lot of views unless you like mature softwoods stands with lots of streams and waterfalls. The climb up out of Spaulding Lake is about as steep as it gets in the whites, right up a bony scree slope. The AT is definitely the prefered route with spectacular views. Note there are no good options to do the walk from Madison to Lakes in bad weather except walking down to Appalachia and catching a shuttle to the Amonusuc parking lot. The options from Lakes to Mizpah in bad weather are also not very good.
Not sure on the logic of the wildcat Gondola, If they are heading south from Carter, they have a big chunk of the elevation they would need to climb up to Wildcat. If they want to skip the walk down from Widcat to Pinkham they could take a gondola down or walk down the ski trail.
I agree that north bound was a bit easier than southbound
The Old Fhart
08-01-2008, 17:46
If they are going to spend the first night at Carter, and that would probably be a short day, they would probably want to take the 19 Mile Brook Trail to the hut (3.8mi). That's about the only way that makes much sense. Going south from RT-2, (3.6 miles east of Gorham) is a tough 15+ miles and there are other side trails from RT-16 like the Imp Trail that would cut that down but I don't think that's what you're looking for. If they think the 3.8mi is too short they have the option of starting up the 19 Mile Brook Trail to the Carter Dome Trail, go over Mt. Hight (with it's 360 degree views), to Carter Dome and down to the hut for 6.5 mi. on day one.
Coming back down the 19 Mile Brook Trail to RT-16 from Carter puts them 3.5 mi. above Pinkham and the Tuck's trail by road so that doesn't make sense, especially where they just went up that trail. From Carter Hut to the Gondola on Wildcat D on the A.T. is about 3.2 mi. and they can decide to take that down to RT-16 (about 1 mi north of Pinkham by road) or continue on the A.T. south 1.7 mi to Pinkham (4.9 mi. total).
There really isn't any place I can think of where you can stay "near Pinkham" as I recall the only legal spot may be to go 4.8 miles south on the A.T. to Osgood Campsite but that's 3 miles from Madison hut, maybe too short for the next day. The rest of the trip is pretty straight forward with no real options so that won't be a problem. Maybe a night at Pinkham is a good choice.
If they are going to spend the first night at Carter, and that would probably be a short day, they would probably want to take the 19 Mile Brook Trail to the hut (3.8mi). That's about the only way that makes much sense. Going south from RT-2, (3.6 miles east of Gorham) is a tough 15+ miles and there are other side trails from RT-16 like the Imp Trail that would cut that down but I don't think that's what you're looking for. If they think the 3.8mi is too short they have the option of starting up the 19 Mile Brook Trail to the Carter Dome Trail, go over Mt. Hight (with it's 360 degree views), to Carter Dome and down to the hut for 6.5 mi. on day one.
Coming back down the 19 Mile Brook Trail to RT-16 from Carter puts them 3.5 mi. above Pinkham and the Tuck's trail by road so that doesn't make sense, especially where they just went up that trail. From Carter Hut to the Gondola on Wildcat D on the A.T. is about 3.2 mi. and they can decide to take that down to RT-16 (about 1 mi north of Pinkham by road) or continue on the A.T. south 1.7 mi to Pinkham (4.9 mi. total).
There really isn't any place I can think of where you can stay "near Pinkham" as I recall the only legal spot may be to go 4.8 miles south on the A.T. to Osgood Campsite but that's 3 miles from Madison hut, maybe too short for the next day. The rest of the trip is pretty straight forward with no real options so that won't be a problem. Maybe a night at Pinkham is a good choice.
Thanks to all for the info.
Sorry, Fhart by "near Pinkham" I meant at Joe Dodge Lodge. They will be leaving a car at Pinkham hiking to Carter for day one, hiking back out to Pinkham/Joe Dodge for night two, and then heading up to Madison for night 3, etc. I know the days aren't big mileage but they are very elderly folks :) and not the greatest of shape. They are no young buck like you Fhart. I will check out that 19mile brook trail. Is it more gradual than the AT up from Pinkham to Carter or the Gondola+AT?
_terrapin_
08-01-2008, 18:09
I will check out that 19mile brook trail. Is it more gradual than the AT up from Pinkham to Carter or the Gondola+AT?
19-mile Brook is a piece of cake.
The AT up Wildcat, as you know, is a kick in the butt.
Most hikers going hut to hut basically follow the AT. (About the only "short-cut" would be to go from Mizpah to Crawford Notch/Highland Center and then over A-Z to Zealand.) Like others have posted, going down into Great Gulf and then up Tuckerman's is a steep descent, followed by a steep climb.
Blissful
08-01-2008, 21:21
The climb from Pinkham to Madison will be tough too. The descent is tough so sure the ascent will be challenging. But from what I have seen and having been on other trails there including Sphinx and Great Gulf, following the AT route SOBO through the Presidential part is the best bet. But it will be tough. Watch the weather and do it on a good day.
The climb from Pinkham to Madison will be tough too. The descent is tough so sure the ascent will be challenging. But from what I have seen and having been on other trails there including Sphinx and Great Gulf, following the AT route SOBO through the Presidential part is the best bet. But it will be tough. Watch the weather and do it on a good day.
Yeah, I warn them this will be their single biggest challenge. Imperative they get an early start. Luckily they aren't carrying full gear, just hut to hut odds and ends. Which brings me to my next point. From my map it looks like from NH 16 near the Dodge Camp one can take the Great Gulf trail to the Osgood trail up the ridge which will cut off a few miles compared to the AT from Pinkham to Madison. Any thoughts on this being easier/harder, etc.??
Thanks again to all. Just went over the route with my dad.
The easiest way up Washington is VIA Lion's Head. They could skip their night at Madison and go Pinkham to Lake's. At Lake's they could drop what their carrying and hit Washington.
Kirby