Lonesome Lake and the White Mountains
Hut to Hut Trekking Tours
4 Days, 3 Nights 13MI / 21KM
Trip Highlights
Come experience the White Mountains of New Hampshire and hike with Wildland through these spectacular mountains! Stay at a charming, European-style mountain hut nestled in the wilderness. See beautiful water features – including mountains lakes, streams and waterfalls – on all days of our trip and enjoy sunrise and sunset from the pristine shores of Lonesome Lake. This trip also offers views of the rugged Franconia Ridge and an expanse of forested mountains.
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Remote Mountain Lakes
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Beautiful Waterfalls
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Views of Franconia Ridge
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Cozy Mountain Hut
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Amazing Natural & Cultural History
Book This Trip
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Trip Details
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Trip Type
Hut to Hut Trekking Tours -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
3-6 miles -
Group Size
2-6 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
The trails on this trip range from boardwalks to rocky, “scrambly” hiking. The distances and elevation gains are moderate and only some sections of trail are significantly rugged. Be prepared for hiking on a variety of terrain. There is also a water crossing on Days 2 and 4 that may require a change of footwear.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Today you will meet up with your guide and group at the AMC Highland Center, located in the impressive Crawford Notch. We will rendezvous at 5 PM but consider arriving a day or two early to enjoy this stunning area! Family-style dinner is included tonight after meeting our group, chatting about our trip logistics, and issuing some lightweight gear. After dinner, we will settle into our private room lodging in order to be well-rested and prepared for tomorrow’s adventure.
Day 2
Drive Time: 30 min
Mileage: 4.2 miles
Elevation Gain: 2100 feet
Elevation Loss: 1330 feet
We have a buffet-style breakfast at the Highland Center before setting out on our adventure. Arriving at the Flume in Franconia Notch, we start our trek with a ticketed tour through a famous gorge. Admiring the local flora clinging to the steep granite walls, the pristine creek cascading through the gorge, and the amazingly constructed trail, it’s impossible to not soak up the grandeur of this very special place.
After the loop through the Flume we connect with the Appalachian Trail (AT). Hiking on America’s most historic and iconic trail, we ascend into the mountains. Our hike takes us through gorgeous forests and past majestic creeks to Lonesome Lake. We have a water crossing that may require a change of footwear just before we arrive at the lake. We will check in to the hut, get settled, and enjoy a walk on the beautiful boardwalk shores of this picturesque lake. We will have some time to relax by the lake or at the hut until a nutritious multi-course dinner is provided by the hut. After dinner, we will stretch our legs one more time with an evening sunset walk (bring your camera/phone!)
Day 3
Mileage: 6 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1010 feet
Our second day starts with a delicious, hot breakfast at the hut before we set out on our day hike loop. We begin under leafy tree canopy with our biggest climb of the day navigating a continuously rocky trail, which is very characteristic of the White Mountains. We will enter the boreal forest, fir trees and dense mosses as we hike across a forested ridge line with rolling ups and downs before arriving at a remote and peaceful high mountain lake. Your guide will prepare lunch as the group enjoys the view and solitude of the lake. Our descending trail in the afternoon is rugged and “scrambly” (we’ll take our time) as we make our way back down to Lonesome Lake and another delicious dinner at the hut.
Day 4
Drive Time: 30 min
Mileage: 2.5 miles
Elevation Loss: 1200 ft
After breakfast we depart the hut and hike down a lightly rocky trail to a water crossing. After navigating the crossing we hike along a large brook as it cascades down the mountain. We will stop to enjoy a waterfall as we descend past some interesting and unique water features. A driver will be waiting to pick our group up and transport us back to the AMC Highland Center where we will enjoy a final picnic lunch prepared by your guide before saying our fond farewells to both our fellow guests and these very special mountains.
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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One night in a private room with private bath at the stunning AMC Highland Center
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Two nights of bunkroom accommodations in backcountry huts in the White Mountains
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Use of top-of-the-line backpack and trekking poles
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Appropriately rated sleeping bag professionally laundered after every trip
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All meals are included from dinner the first day through lunch on the last day
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Roundtrip transportation from the Appalachian Mountain Club Highland Center to the trailhead and back
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear, and footwear -
Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Waterbottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-15% of trip cost)
Accommodations
Highland Center
1 NIGHT
This unique mountain lodge in the stunning location of Crawford Notch, New Hampshire is operated by the same conservation organization that runs the backcountry hut system. The lodge has cozy rooms, general living room and patio with breathtaking views. Wildland guests are in private rooms with shared or private baths.
Lonesome Lake Hut
2 NIGHTS
The Lonesome Lake Hut is a European-style hut in a spectacular setting near Lonesome Lake. It offers cozy, indoor “lodging.” The accommodations are in co-ed bunkrooms with separate bathrooms with flush toilets. The bunkhouses are not heated, have no lighting, and electrical outlets are not available.
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You will meet your guide and group on Day 1 at 5pm at the AMC Highland Center near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Your guide will contact you approximately 2 weeks before your trip to coordinate the exact meeting place and pick-up time.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Bretton Woods
All White Mountains trips begin and end at the AMC Highland Center near Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. Most guests fly into a regional New Hampshire airport and drive to Bretton Woods via rental car. The nearest airport to is Manchester-Boston Regional Airport in central New Hampshire, approximately two driving hours away. Manchester-Boston is served by domestic airlines including Delta, United, Southwest, and American. Many international carriers serve Logan International Airport in Boston, an additional 30 minutes away in Massachusetts. Bretton Woods is also accessible via bus, Greyhound and Concord bus lines.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE HIGHLAND CENTER
From central and south-central New Hampshire (Manchester, Concord, etc.):
- Take Interstate 93 North to Route 3 North (Exit 35).
- Take Route 3 North to Route 302 East (near Twin Mountain).
- Take Route 302 East approximately 10 miles to the Highland Center, located roadside right on Route 302.
From Boston and its suburbs:
- Take Interstate 93 North to central New Hampshire.
- Follow directions above for central New Hampshire. From Portland, Maine:
- Take Route 302 West to the Crawford Notch Depot Visitor Center, located roadside left on Route 302.
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first hiking day’s departure time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 7 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will drop you off at your hotel on the final day normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time).
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Reviews
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Patricia H
1 year agoFantastic experience all around.
Wildland Trekking communicated with us from start to finish. Lisa Gardner was an excellent guide and considered the needs of everyone in our group. Fantastic experience all around.
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