Summary

For those of you looking to check off bucket list hikes, this is one you should consider!   The Pemigewasset (Pemi) Loop is a legendary 31.5-mile hike with long stretches above the treeline.  We will do a 3-day backpack, leaving Lincoln Woods on Friday, 9/6, at noon.  Although you can go clockwise or counter-clockwise, we will go clockwise to get through the most challenging climbing with fresh legs.  We will camp at Liberty Springs on Friday and Guyot Shelter on Saturday.  It is $15 a night, paid in cash to the caretaker.  Our itinerary is:

Day 1: Lincoln Woods trailhead to Liberty Springs Tentsite (approx. 7 miles).  We will be on the Osseo Trail & Franconia Ridge Trail, hitting Flume and Liberty.

Day 2: Liberty Springs to Guyot Shelter (approx. 13.5 miles).  This is our biggest day, hitting Haystack, Lincoln, North Lincoln, Lafayette, North Lafayette, Garfield, and South Twin.  We have the option of a pack-less tag of Galehead and North Twin, too. Thankfully, most of this is ridge hiking, and we will have some AMC hut soup and brownies to look forward to at Galehead!  Our trails will be Garfield Ridge and the Twinway.

Day 3: Guyot to Lincoln Woods (approx. 11 miles).  After a night at Guyot, we will take the Bondcliff Trail, hitting Mts. Bond, Bondcliff, and possibly West Bond. 

This is an extremely strenuous hike, with an elevation gain of 10,508’ and covering eight (and up to 12) of the 4,000-foot peaks of the White Mountains.  Weather will be a significant factor.  If the forecast is questionable, we can reduce the hike's scale or reschedule.   Weather permitting, I have ten camping spots booked with AMC at Liberty Springs and Guyot (the maximum possible).  If someone has a larger tent, perhaps we can share and save some weight.  For meals, bring your own food.  We can share stoves and determine how much and what kind of fuel to bring, again to save weight.   I hope you can join us!

Additional Resources:

• AllTrails Map: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/pemigewasset-loop--2
• NH Fish and Game Hike Safe card: https://www.nhfishandgame.com/HikeSafe.aspx
• Mt Washington Higher Summits Forecast: https://mountwashington.org/weather/higher-summits-forecast/
• The 10 Essentials for Backcountry Hiking: https://www.outdoors.org/resources/amc-outdoors/outdoor-resources/the-10-essentials-what-to-pack-for-a-backcountry-hike/
• More information on the Pemi Loop: https://www.northeasthikes.com/the-pemi-loop-hike/#google_vignette 

Directions To Trailhead Parking Lot

Lincoln Woods Visitor Center, located 5.6 miles east on Rt. 112 from exit 32 on I-93.