Video - Four day hike across the Presidential Range in White Mountains New Hampshire July 25-28

[JSH]

I'm posting four videos covering the four days my group spent in the Presidentials. I believe this is the most memorable backpacking trip I have ever been on.

We camped before and after the hike in the valley. I used my hammock those nights but once above treeline it really wasn't practical to hang. In addition the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) huts were great fun, very practical and a safe comfortable haven. You'll see pics of the huts in the various videos.

Day one - hike up to the Madison Hut
26.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BwBFPtSN9Y

Day two - the "traverse" from Madison to Lake in the Clouds hut
Day 2 opening picture.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLA-kX-oGnI&t=7s

Day three - hike through the clouds from Lake in the Clouds to Mitzpah hut
2a.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdSrcCaARoA

Day four - coming off the mountain
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=letD6tqCq3c

This is my favorite picture of the whole trip. Someone snapped it of me as I looked back into the northern valley on day two. I will go back.
Looking back at Madison.jpg

[TallPaul]

Beautiful scenery. Love those mountain views.
The video doesn't do justice showing the trail grade but I'm sure there were some tough climbs and descents.
And it looks like the weather was close to perfect.
Thanks for sharing.

[JSH]

Beautiful scenery. Love those mountain views.
The video doesn't do justice showing the trail grade but I'm sure there were some tough climbs and descents.
And it looks like the weather was close to perfect.
Thanks for sharing.

The weather was ideal. We left Richmond with 100 degree heat index and got to New Hampshire to temps in the mid 70's. The second day traversing Mt. Washington's slope was crystal clear. It was mild temp which I'm grateful for. I was rearguard for our hiking group. It took 11 hours to cover the distance. I didn't realize being above tree line would also mean little soil for the trail. Most of the traverse involved stepping on small boulders. Tricky stuff. But I've never seen views like that. I'm thinking about a return trip. Would be fun to use Madison Hut as base camp for a couple days. Huts are a blast. Staff in the huts is mostly college age folks who are very professional in their duties but also full of fun.

[TallPaul]

Did you bring your own food for the huts or ? Never been in one of these. They are so picturesque.
And I can picture the slow going with the rocky trail. But at least you had great views for some of it

[mistone]

Yeah I need to move further up north it's a lot cooler in the summer I can't take the heat down here anymore!

[JSH]

Did you bring your own food for the huts or ? Never been in one of these. They are so picturesque.
And I can picture the slow going with the rocky trail. But at least you had great views for some of it

The AMC huts are well designed for overnights, food is plentiful and very tasty. Meals are part of the price to stay. We had spinach lasagna the last night in the Mitzpah huts. Not bad for a hot meal at 4,500 feet. The staff is very competent but also lots of fun. I packed lunch for the in between during the four days but in all honesty I wasn't hungry at lunch. Breakfast was so filling and good that I wasn't hungry at mid-day. Supper I was. I actually gave my meals away that I'd packed to AT thru hikers the last night. I wouldn't hesitate to use the AMC huts. Breakfasts usually started with juice and coffee, hot oatmeal and eggs/bacon and pancakes. Supper with a delicious soup (they offer soup thru the day for hikers for $2 a bowl), entry with a couple vegetables and desert.

[georgecarr]

I did the same trip 14 years ago, but in reverse. The Presidential Range is a trip you won't forget. The rock you sat on before climbing the Osgood Trail is the same one I sat on when I came down, lol.

[JSH]

I did the same trip 14 years ago, but in reverse. The Presidential Range is a trip you won't forget. The rock you sat on before climbing the Osgood Trail is the same one I sat on when I came down, lol.

Have to admit that I sat on several rocks. There were instances during the traverse that some of us took our packs off slipped down then grabbed the packs. The last 1/4 miles into the Mitzpah hut had sections that weren't trails for scrambling down a rock slide. All that is part of hiking in that type of terrain. No one got seriously hurt. There were several falls and some flesh wounds but considering the number of miles the group (13 people) hiked it was a safe trip. And the views from the mountain tops as well as the forest understory were stunning.

[MAD777]

In my opinion, nothing in the East is as stunning or raw as the Presidentials. Superb job of recording your hike!

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[JSH]

In my opinion, nothing in the East is as stunning or raw as the Presidentials. Superb job of recording your hike!

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Thanks MAD777. I don't believe I will try the hut to hut traverse again. It was pretty physical. But we met a number of folks hiking down from Mt. Washington and were heading either toward Madison or to one of the RMC huts. I regret not having time to pause and watch the day pass from those summits. Stunning is the right description. I intend to go back. Long drive from Richmond but looking off into the distance was mesmerizing. Got to see it again.