Appalachia to Pinkham Visitor Ctr.

[freighttrain48]

You could consider doing the loop in reverse, up Boott Spur, Lions Head or whatever. Make it to Madison Hut or one of the RMC huts for the night and then head over Madison and down Osgood, Osgood Cutoff, Madison Gulf and Old Jackson and end up back at Pinkham. You can start early on day one, no need to worry about a shuttle. You'll split the trip into two fairly equal days. Food for thought.

Great suggestion that way you get to descend through the great gulf which is very beautiful

 

[Raven]

Another option - the backpacker's room at Lakes of the Clouds Hut ("the Dungeon") It's like $10 or thereabout, but not necessarily worth it. They should pay you.

EDIT: This is no longer available as a non-emergency option.

 

[MichaelJ]

The AMC website says:

"Refuge room for emergency shelter when hut is closed."

implying the Dungeon is only available in the off-season.

 

[Raven]

The AMC website says:

"Refuge room for emergency shelter when hut is closed."

implying the Dungeon is only available in the off-season.

Michael's absolutely right. I called AMC to check this since I brought it up and the website wasn't very clear about inseason; it's no longer available for use other than emergencies. They said it's been "a few years."

 

[sierra]

I used it once off season, the jail in Denver was better.