NH this week! please help!

[2009ThruHiker]

HI,

my wife & i are most likely headed to NH tomorrow (fly by the seat of our pants, hang on!@) to do some exploring and hiking. Here is what we know...we'll arrive tomorrow, late and stay 4 nights, 3 days b4 leaving first thing monday AM. Could someone please help us with an plan for this trip? We are not familiar with NH at all. We haven't backpacked since spring.so our daily mileage would probably be in the order of a 7-8 mile day, and 2- 5 mile days...
We really appreciate the help! We are looking at the hut and lodge system in NH, but are unsure of how to plan to get back to our starting point...as well as perhaps keeping a home base and just doing some day hikes out of there.

THANKS AGAIN!!!

[Jack Tarlin]

If you're seriously thinking about the hut system, go to the AMC's website, www.outdoors.org

You might also want to pick up a copy of their excellent White Mountain Guide, which is the bible for hiking New Hampshire. Any decent local bookstore should have it.

As for a "base" for your travels, I'd either look into staying at the main AMC lodge at Pinkham Notch, NH, or getting a motel in either North Woodstock or Gorham. For lodge info, go to www.outdoors.org

For info on local shuttlers or drivers, go to www.appalachiantrail.org and check out their state-by-state listing of drivers and shuttlers.

If you're planning to hike mainly on the A.T. you may want to pick up one of the standard A.T. guidebooks, such as the Thru-Hikers Handbook or Thru-Hikwers Companion, which contains all sorts of information on facilities, shelters, water sources, trail mileage, etc. You can look at the 2008 Companion on-line for free by going to www.aldha.org

Have a great trip!

Oh, and this is important: Any local bookstore will have a copy of the Appalachian Trail Conservancy's Guidebook which will provide detailed information on the Trail in NH, including maps. The DeLorme company also has an excellent map of the White Mountains available. But whatever you do, don't hike without the best map you can find, and also, dress warm! It's starting to get really cold at night up here.

[2009ThruHiker]

thanks jack. now the weather (rain) is starting to look iffy. Still planning on making a go of it, but also looking west (better weather).

[Longy]

Try staying at the Moosilauke Ravine Lodge http://www.dartmouth.edu/~doc/moosilauke/ravinelodge/
Great place with multiple trailheads for day hikes. Highly recommended.

[Jack Tarlin]

The Moosilauke Ravine Lodge is fully booked for awhile with Freshman Outdoor Trip stuff going on, and will most likely be unavailable for the next week.

People wanting to hike or stay in that area would do better to use the excellent hiker hostel in nearby Glencliff as a base of operations, or perhaps somewhere inNorth Woodstock or Lincoln.

[Peaks]

Lakes of the Clouds and Madison hut close 9/15 for the season. If you want to do a multi-day hut trip, then I suggest the Western Huts rather than the Presidentals.

Also, AMC shuttle is running weekends only until Columbus Day. If it works out, park you car at the end point, take the shuttle to your starting point, and then hike back to your car.

[celt]

The last night of operation for Lakes and Madison is Sunday 9/13 and they're both fully booked.

[rlharris]

Unless you have your hearts set on the AT, consider the Cohos Trail as an alternative. Their website (cohostrail.org) has a listing of shuttle services (mostl for a reasonable fee) and -- if my memory hasn't completely failed me -- lodging near the trail. Some of the shuttles are operated by lodging establishments.

This 169-mile long trail extends from the North Conway area to the Canadian border.

[Homer&Marje]

Go into 13 Falls and play around in the pemi for a few days, up to galehead, up to garfield, south twin, do the bonds... lots of options from the central point and a nice, flat 8 mile hike into 13 falls on day 1. ( from Lincoln Woods Parking lot)

[Blissful]

Agree- I would do around the Pemigawasset WIlderness. You can park at Lincoln Woods.