High Huts of the White Mountains

Hut history

The following High Huts are presented in "south" to "north" order relative to their location along the Appalachian Trail (which physically runs roughly from west to east while gaining latitude through the White Mountains).

Lonesome Lake

Lonesome Lake Hut (44°08′19″N 71°42′12″W) is the southernmost hut in the system, and second lowest. It started out in 1876 as a fishing camp on Lonesome Lake, with cabins built by author W.C. Prime. The hut officially became part of the AMC system in 1929, when the State of New Hampshire bought the land and invited the club to run it as a shelter. It has since become popular with families due to its low altitude and relative ease of ascent. It is tied with Greenleaf, its closest neighbor, for the fourth highest capacity.

Greenleaf

Greenleaf Hut (44°09′37″N 71°39′37″W) lies on a prominent shoulder of Mount Lafayette, offering spectacular views of Franconia Ridge. Its construction was the first to leave behind the stone and masonry construction technique utilized by earlier huts, and to use a team of burros to carry materials. Completed in 1930, it pioneered running water and indoor toilets, reflecting an evolution of AMC huts from simple shelters towards becoming more like mountainside hostels. Much of Greenleaf's construction funding came from Colonel Charles Greenleaf, for whom it is named. Its design — a central dining room and kitchen flanked by two bunkrooms — became the model for Galehead and Zealand Falls huts, both constructed within the next year. At 4,200 feet (1,300 m) above sea level, Greenleaf is the third highest hut in the system and is tied with Lonesome Lake Hut for the fourth highest capacity. Lonesome Lake is also the hut's closest southern neighbor, with Galehead Hut to the north.

Galehead

Galehead Hut (44°11′16″N 71°34′08″W) lies nearly 3,800 feet (1,200 m) above sea level on rugged Garfield Ridge. Construction on the original structure there began in 1931, using wood from the surrounding trees. It was completed in 1932, along with Zealand Falls Hut, its closest northern neighbor. A small space under the front porch was used to store perishable foods. In 1938, Galehead gained a temporary 360 degree view when the Great New England Hurricane blew over all the surrounding trees. It was replaced in June 2000 with a new Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant hut, complete with a wheelchair ramp even though it is 5 miles (8 km) of rough trail from the nearest trailhead. Given its altitude and remoteness, the vast majority of the new structure's materials had to be carried in; thus mainly lightweight materials were utilized. New features include composting toilets (already in use at Mizpah Spring Hut, Carter Notch Hut, and Lonesome Lake Hut), both solar panels and a wind vane for producing power, and a foundation fastened to the granite bedrock with grouted rebar, giving the hut the ability to withstand winds up to 125 miles per hour (200 km/h). The hut is 0.9 miles (1.4 km) from the summit of South Twin Mountain and 0.5 miles (800 m) from the summit of Galehead Mountain. It is tied with Mizpah Springs Hut as fourth highest and sleeps the second fewest guests. Greenleaf is the closest hut to the south.

Zealand Falls

Zealand Falls Hut (44°11′46″N 71°29′40″W) was completed in 1932 along with Galehead and has been open in the winter season since 1973. It, like Lonesome Lake hut, is notable as a "family" hut due to its low altitude and relatively easy approach climb. It also has the lowest capacity of all the huts, sleeping little more than a third of the largest capacity hut. Zealand is neighbored by Galehead to the south and Mizpah Spring to the north.

Mizpah Spring

Mizpah Spring Hut (44°13′09″N 71°22′10″W) was originally built in 1964, and although there are newer buildings in the system, this makes Mizpah the newest hut site in the system. The building is designed to withstand 200 miles per hour (320 km/h) winds and was built with materials brought in by helicopter. This hut is tied with Galehead Hut for the fourth highest hut and sleeps the second largest number of people. Its immediate neighbor to the south is Zealand Falls Hut, and its immediate neighbor to the north is Lakes of the Clouds hut.

Lakes of the Clouds

The highest, largest, and most popular hut in the system, Lakes of the Clouds Hut (44°15′32″N 71°19′08″W) started as a shelter built in 1901 in response to the deaths in the previous year of two hikers caught in a storm on their way to an AMC meeting atop Mount Washington. Fourteen years later it was rebuilt as a hut, and has since been renovated at least five times — in 1922, 1927, 1947, 1969 and 2005. Despite its position as the highest of the huts—at an elevation of 5,030 feet (1,533 m)—it is also the most easily accessible due to its proximity to the summit of Mount Washington, accessible both by car and by the Mount Washington Cog Railway, a popular tourist attraction. It is located adjacent to its namesake Lakes of the Clouds—two small alpine tarns — and just below the 5,372 ft (1,637 m) summit of Mount Monroe. The hut is the largest of the AMC chain: It provides bunks for 90 hikers. Because of its size and popularity, it is known as "Lakes of the Crowds". Mizpah Spring Hut is the closest hut to the south and Madison Spring is the closest hut to the north.

Madison Spring

Madison Spring Hut (44°19′40″N 71°17′00″W), originally built in 1888, is the oldest hut site in the United States. The first overnight guests stayed in the winter of 1889, and in 1906 a fee was instituted to utilize the shelter — 50 cents per night. The original hut was expanded in that same year, as well as 1911, 1922, and 1929. However, in 1940, a fire — caused by the ignition of gasoline for the gasoline-electric power generator — destroyed much of the hut. The following year it was rebuilt and re-opened. The hut was extensively rehabilitated in the fall of 2010 and early 2011.

At 4,810 feet (1,466 m) above sea level, it is the second highest hut in the chain, and it sleeps the third highest number of guests. The hut is accessed most directly from the Valley Way trail (from the Appalachia parking lot). It is generally considered the most difficult of the full-service huts to access, based on distance and elevation required to reach it. To the southwest is Lakes of the Clouds Hut, and to the southeast is Carter Notch Hut.

Carter Notch

Carter Notch Hut (44°15′33″N 71°11′44″W) is the easternmost hut in the system and is open year-round. Between 1996 and 2006, it operated on a self-service basis; since then it has resumed operating as a full-service hut during the summer season, remaining self-service the rest of the year. The site's use as a shelter began in 1904 as a simple log cabin; the building was rebuilt as a hut in 1914, making Carter Notch the oldest building in the hut chain, supposedly by Milton McGregor, aka "Red Mac". There are two bunkhouses located a short distance from the main hut structure; thus from the cliffs above, the hut is viewed as a small compound. There are two small ponds located nearby, as well as a tremendous boulder field. Carter Notch helped establish the hut as a viable pursuit for the AMC, and after its initial success, the group began to lay plans for a hut system. It has both the third lowest altitude and the third lowest capacity of any hut. Its closest southern neighbor is Madison Spring Hut.