Hike Hut to Hut: AMC Huts Presidential Traverse Southbound

Starting at the Appalachia Trailhead, the trail, Valley Way begins its 3.8-mile strenuous course towards the Madison Spring Hut. If you're in for climbing up to the summit of Mt. Madison, it's about a mile to the summit from the hut. 

When you get to the hut, you will have to check in with one of the "croo" members and ensure that your bunk has been filled for the night. You can either sit around in the dining area and buy some soup, bread, coffee, tea, etc. If you're up to hiking a bit more, you can hike to the summit of Mt. Madison, or take a short, easy hike above the hut to Star Lake. If you decide to go to star lake, you won't be disappointed, as it has large boulders above it to where you can sit down and enjoy the beautiful view of Mt. Washington. 

For dinner, the AMC hut "croo" will have prepared a family-style meal for each dining table. After dinner, you can play board games or talk with other people staying there. Lights out is around 9 pm, so you'll want to get out of the dining area or turn your head lamp on. 

In the morning, you'll be awaken by the "croo" by them either singing and/or playing an instrument. You'll want to pack up your bunk before then if you decide to leave after breakfast. 

The 7.4 miles to Lakes of the clouds is quite strenuous and usually takes the average person to complete in 8+ hours. You will go past Mt. Adams, Mt. Clay, and the very well-known Mt. Washington. It will be a bit longer if you decide to climb to the summit of Mt. Washington, but the views are well worth it on a clear day. The Lakes of the Clouds Hut will be about a mile (depending on if you go to the summit) from Mt. Washington. The Lakes of the Clouds Hut will be nestled on top of the ridge amongst a few "lakes" and overlooks a valley.The bunks are a bit older as they haven't been newly renovated like the Madison Springs Hut. 

Mizpah is the last hut on the presidential range, and is lower in elevation of the three huts. It sits within the forest close to a campground for thru-hikers. The hike from Lakes of the Clouds Hut to Mizpah will be just as memorable as the hike from Madison Springs to the Lakes Hut. The elevation declines, but the trail will still be quite tough. It's only a 4.8 mile hike, so it won't take all day to arrive at the hut.