Some info and pictures can be found at: http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/whites/green_hut.html
Some info and pictures can be found at: http://www.cs.dartmouth.edu/whites/green_hut.html
Last month following the ATC Conference, my GF and I did some luxurious (i.e. hut-to-hut) hiking in the Whites and enjoyed a most pleasant surprise at Greenleaf Hut.
Having hiked up the Liberty Springs trail, north over on Franconia Ridge to Mt. Lafayette, and down to Greenleaf, we were one of the last arrivals. I walked in and didn't find any apparent "Croo" members around. Then I saw a apron-clad guy close to my age or older come over and welcome us. He was part of the Croo, giving us the basic orientation.
I hadn't stayed in a White Mountains hut since the early 90s so I thought well, I guess AMC is getting some retirees nowadays to join their croos. Then at suppertime when we were all seated, I noticed the croo consisted of 5 older guys all in their 50s & 60s along with one young woman. One of my tablemates remarked "this was the oldest croo I've ever see."
So after dinner, the story came out: the regular croo had "vanished" under cryptically-explained circumstances. Our current croo was a reunion - all the guys had crooed in the 1970s, some even in the 1960s. I don't know how they arranged it but they all came together to croo this hut for a week or so. Between supper and dessert, they all told stories of their experiences back in the day and also shared photos. Supper was one of the recipes they used 40 years ago.
And the young woman serving with them? She's 2nd generation - the daughter of another old guy who wasn't able to make it. She fit in real well with them and was clearly having a good time.
This croo was having the time of their lives. And it certainly made our stay enjoyable.
You arrived on the night of the annual summer crew get together party. None of the regular crews were on duty at any of the huts. It was all fill in crews made up of former hutsmen and wanta-bees.
I would like to hike my first AT this summer, my trail would be the Greenleaf trail, a night at greenleaf hut and then go down by the Old Bridle Path.
First, I'm Canadian and I don't know the specifics régulations. Do I have to pay fee to hike this trail ?(except the fees at Greenleaf hut).
Second, what about the logistic, I will park my car at the beginning of one trail and end at another trail, can I walk this distance? Is there some sort of shuttle ?
Third, when people say the trail is "crowded", do they mean dozens of people or it's simply that we can come across few people in the trail.
Is there anything else that I should know about this hike ? Someone have a better 2 days/1 nigh hike in this area ?
Thanks, can't wait to hike my first AT.
Visit the AMC website and become a member. You get discounts on the hut stays and on their shuttles and will probably recoup the cost of your membership. Most likely you will just come across a few people now and then except at huts and on Mt Washington where there will be a lot of people.
Your intended itinerary does not actually go on the AT unless you change your route, see my comment in bold as using the Old Bridal Path up and Falling Waters down gets you on one section of the AT (Franconia Ridge trail from the summit of Lafayette to Haystack). It is very spectacular stretch of the AT.
This is fairly rugged hike with a lot of elevation gain and its paved with rocks from start to finish make sure you are in shape. Bring Sunscreen and plenty of containers to carry water, you can fill up at the hut but you still need something to carry it in. Bring earplugs as the huts are quite full and noisy at night. You need fairly good wind gear year round as the hike and hut is exposed. The hut can get cold at night and there is no heat
This link will tell you what you need for day hiking http://hikesafe.com/index.php?page=full-gear-list.
I'd second peakbagger's recommended hike.
No fees to hike.
I always just park with everybody else at Lafayette Campground when I hike in this area. You'll figure out the parking situation when you get there - it's pretty much find a spot with everybody else off the side of the campground or ramp roads. Get there as early if possible as it gets crowded.Second, what about the logistic, I will park my car at the beginning of one trail and end at another trail, can I walk this distance? Is there some sort of shuttle ?
If it is a nice weekend day, there will be dozens of dozens - of dozens. I have literally seen well over a hundred hikers on the summits of Mt. Lafayette and Little Haystack on nice days. Great places for lunch if it isn't real windy.Third, when people say the trail is "crowded", do they mean dozens of people or it's simply that we can come across few people in the trail.
As it's only a little over 3 mile hike to Greenleaf Hut from Lafayette campground, if you get there early, hike over to the The Basin and Kinsman Cascades. It's about a 2 mile quick and level (not tiring) walk. Take the Pemi Trail which parallels the river and bike path for a nicer walk. When done, hike up the Old Bridle Path to the Greenleaf Hut, (3 miles, elevation gain 2400 feet), and stay the night.Is there anything else that I should know about this hike ? Someone have a better 2 days/1 nigh hike in this area ?
Thanks, can't wait to hike my first AT.
The next morning, hike up the Greenleaf Trail to the summit of Mt. Lafayette (1.1 miles, elevation gain 1000 feet). From the Summit of Mt. Lafayette 5260', your hike will be mostly downhill the rest of the way. Head south on the Franconia Ridge Trail, which is also the AT - FINALLY ON THE AT! Hike about 1 mile over the summit of Mt. Lincoln 5089', and another .7 miles to the summit of Little Haystack 4780'. From there, leave the AT and take the Falling Waters Trail back to Lafayette campground. Total distance day two, 5.8 miles.
Oh, and bring your camera on this hike. It's truly one of the most beautiful short hikes anywhere.
Check out this for a preview http://www.summitpost.org/the-franco...raverse/156248 And note that the trail on the ridge is actually much wider (and safer) than one is led to believe from the write up.
"That's the thing about possum innards - they's just as good the second day." - Jed Clampett
As others have said, it will be very crowded on weekends with nice weather, as it is a glorious hike with fairly easy access from Boston and points south. The ride is short enough that one can drive up and back from the Boston area, with enough time to do a loop from Lafayette Campground. I have done it quite a few times over the years, when I only have one day free to hike.
Second the above comments. Also, familiarize yourself with the Mount Washington Observatory's website. Their information and forecasts for the White Mountains are invaluable: www.mountwashington.org/experience-the-weather
The more miles, the merrier!
NH4K: 21/48; N.E.4K: 25/67; NEHH: 28/100; Northeast 4K: 27/115; AT: 124/2191
Thanks guys, I would probably do the Old Bridal path up, sleep at Greenleaf hut, then down Falling Waters trail the next day. I would go there by the end of June, do I have to book my night far in advance or can I wait couples of weeks before ?
"That's the thing about possum innards - they's just as good the second day." - Jed Clampett
Wow that seems to get booked really early...Is this loop ( Old Bridal path up, sleep at Greenleaf hut, then down Falling Waters trail ) feasable in only 1 day ? I think it's 15km, but the trail seems quite hard. If it's possible to do it in one day, it would be easier for me to stay in a motel near mt Lafayette since I cannot really book in advance and it seem to have plenty of motel in the area.
I am doing it on Sunday as a dayhike. Lots of folks do the old bridal path falling waters loop as a dayhike. Its one of the more popular day hikes in the whites. There is firm out of montreal that runs tour buses down a few times a summer. There is a state campground just across the street. Just take your time and plan on taking 8 to 10 hours and unless you are in poor shape you are covered. That being said, the location of Greenleaf is a great place to spend a clear night, it has nearby sunset views and I expect eh sunrise over the ridge is pretty spectacular.
Old "Bridle" Path. Not "Bridal." There is a bad joke in there somewhere, but I am not going there. Easy mistake to make, but I expect more out of peakbagger, lol.
Hah, I've been looking for an excuse to post this old picture of the summit of Mt Lafayette. And the reason the trail up is called the Bridle Path.
Hotel on Lafayette.jpg
Everyone has a photographic memory. Not everyone has film.
I must admit, my spelling has been degraded by autocorrect.