good hut loop for october?

[mjfilez]

hi everyone,

i'm looking for a good 2-3 day loop in october (either around columbus weekend or the weekend before). i originally had my eye on the northern presidentials but didn't realize lakes & madison are closed by then... looking for some alternatives that will pack a similar above-treeline punch.

our group of 4 is in pretty good shape, but we don't want to kill ourselves... maybe 4-5000' of ascent/descent per day, 12 miles or less. one of us has an old foot injury that we want to avoid putting lots of weight on so huts are preferred over backcountry camping.

i did a bunch of dayhikes in the area both summer & winter a few years ago, but never overnight trips.

any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

[Bill O]

Greenleaf....because its one of the last ones open. I think Madison and Lakes are closed by then, but please double check. Not sure about the RMC cabins.

[KD Talbot]

As Bill said, Greenleaf stays open a little longer than the others. A great loop can be made over Franconia Ridge, mostly above tree-line.

Lonesome Lake and Carter Notch stay open all year and are much easier hikes to get to with plenty of nearby mountains to explore.

Check here for dates and reservations:

http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/huts/

Also, as Bill stated there are the RMC Huts on Adams, also open year round. They are first come, first serve.

http://www.randolphmountainclub.org/...rshelters.html

KDT

[mtruman]

You could also add Galehead to Greenleaf since it is open later as well (closes on Sunday Oct 19). The only thing with this is that you'd need to spot a car or get a ride between trailheads by some other way since the hiker shuttle only runs till the middle of Sept. Greenleaf to Galehead should be beautiful in the fall with the above treeline on Garfield Ridge and the views of the Pemi along the route.