Pemi Wilderness 2 night 3 day Hike Using AMC Huts - Suggestions?

[Keep Walking]

I'll keep flooding you with questions. After we complete the presi traverse, my friends want to hike in the Pemi Wilderness, but they only have two nights and three days and want to use the huts. We were originally thinking of a Pemi Loop, but it seems that it's very difficult to do a 2 night 3 day hike using the huts that will allow us to complete this without having to hike from Galehead to Lincoln Woods which seems to be more than we can handle.

So, any suggestions for a 2 night 3 day hiking itinerary in the Pemi Wilderness using AMC's huts? It would be great if we could see many of the things that make the pemi loop appealing, even if we won't be able to do the entire loop.

Thanks!

 

[MichaelJ]

I'm curious why you think you can't go Galehead to Lincoln Woods? Sure, it's a lot of mileage, but it's the one big climb at the start, then wicked mellow (and beautiful) from S Twin all the way over to W Bond and Bond, those ascents are nicely moderate, from Bond there's only a small gain after dropping to Bondcliff, and then it's a few miles downhill and then a whole lotta flat & smooth to finish up. Given the Presi trip you're talking about doing, and especially with Hut stays meaning that you don't have to carry tent, stove, and breakfast or dinner food, it seems to me this would be within your ability level. I'd recommend a water filter to refill once you're off Bondcliff, where water is to be found not too far down. Or at Guyot if you need it.

 

[Keep Walking]

I'm curious why you think you can't go Galehead to Lincoln Woods? Sure, it's a lot of mileage, but it's the one big climb at the start, then wicked mellow (and beautiful) from S Twin all the way over to W Bond and Bond, those ascents are nicely moderate, from Bond there's only a small gain after dropping to Bondcliff, and then it's a few miles downhill and then a whole lotta flat & smooth to finish up. Given the Presi trip you're talking about doing, and especially with Hut stays meaning that you don't have to carry tent, stove, and breakfast or dinner food, it seems to me this would be within your ability level. I'd recommend a water filter to refill once you're off Bondcliff, where water is to be found not too far down. Or at Guyot if you need it.

That was actually my original plan:

Day 1 - Lincoln Woods to Greenleaf Hut

Day 2 - Greenleaf Hut to Galehead Hut

Day 3 - Galehead Hut to Lincoln Woods

What scares me about day 3 is - as you suggest - the mileage. I think it's close to 15 miles, right? Not sure we can handle it after the previous 4 or 5 days (presi traver plus two first days of pemi loop). But, it might be doable if it's easy, as you seem to be suggesting. Would appreciate further comments from you or others!

Thanks!

 

[David Metsky]

It's not easy, but it's not impossible. Once you get past Bondcliff it's 8-9 miles of relatively easy downhill and then flats. At worst it's a slog, but you're not in any dangerous situations, just one foot in front of the other. You can drop down from Galehead and head out without going over the Bonds to save distance and elevation, but that's the best part of the loop.

 

[Keep Walking]

It's not easy, but it's not impossible. Once you get past Bondcliff it's 8-9 miles of relatively easy downhill and then flats. At worst it's a slog, but you're not in any dangerous situations, just one foot in front of the other. You can drop down from Galehead and head out without going over the Bonds to save distance and elevation, but that's the best part of the loop.

Sounds like we might just give this a try! Anyone else care to chime in? Mileage sounds scary to me, but if more than half is relatively easy downhill and flats, we might be able to pull it off.

 

[Will]

Day 3 - Galehead Hut to Lincoln Woods

What scares me about day 3 is - as you suggest - the mileage. I think it's close to 15 miles, right? Not sure we can handle it after the previous 4 or 5 days (presi traver plus two first days of pemi loop). But, it might be doable if it's easy, as you seem to be suggesting. Would appreciate further comments from you or others!

You should plan a late end. It would be terrible to rush through, or be experiencing any time pressure at all, across the ridge. And the downhill and flat, while a nice pleasant stroll when you're relaxed, is a deadening chore when you're trying to make time or treating it like the hike is over and you're just slogging to get out.

Take a nice long break on S. Twin. The stretch after you break out of tree cover again near Guyot should be savored with a very slow pace, with frequent short stops to do 360s and take it all in. Same with the Bondcliff Ridge. Lunch on top of one of the knolls is perfect. When you get to the final peak on Bondcliff, the last thing in the world you want to do is hurry on down; this is it, this is why you're up here. Enjoy it til a bit of restlessness begins to set in.

The walk down is nice woods, streams, easy footing. All very restful, but the slope is so uniform that, believe me, your muscles will complain if you push, because the steps are so uniform and repetitive. Plan to get down to the Wilderness Trail with about 1 1/2 hours of good light, then do the Lincoln Woods with night vision or headlamps. Frankly, that improves the experience.

Now, to tip the gaff (don't tell anyone): when you plan the day this way (out in the dark) and everybody relaxes, you wind up getting out earlier than you planned. Minds and muscles are relaxed, breathing is more efficient, the whole day is just a smooth, pleasant flow instead of a jerky, tense escape.

 

[brobichaud]

Day 3 - Galehead Hut to Lincoln Woods

What scares me about day 3 is - as you suggest - the mileage. I think it's close to 15 miles, right? Not sure we can handle it after the previous 4 or 5 days (presi traver plus two first days of pemi loop). But, it might be doable if it's easy, as you seem to be suggesting. Would appreciate further comments from you or others!

I did this section last year on a two day partial Pemi loop (Day 1: Lincoln Woods to Galehead Hut via Owl's Head, Day 2: same as your itinerary), and the only "bad" part of the day, was the climb from the hut to South Twin. Thankfully, I did Galehead as a warm-up after breakfast. It's just plain steep, and I was definitely feeling sluggish after the previous day. The rest of the route is really nice and gradual, with only a bit of steep descent coming off Bond towards Bondcliff. Including the out and back Galehead and West Bond, I calculated 16.4 miles, and ~2500 of gain, which had me leaving Galehead at ~8:15 and rolling into Lincoln Woods at 5, with plenty of light to spare.

Cheers,

Bill

 

[Adventurous]

IMO - day 2 of your plan is harder than day 3. The footing and all the PUD's on the Garfield Ridge Trail felt harder to me than going from Galehead to Lincoln Woods despite longer mileage. As others have mentioned, the climb from Galehead to South Twin is the hardest part of day 3.

 

[blacknblue]

Difficult, but doable. And if the crew is in really bad shape, you can head down from Galehead and skip all the climbing. But, of course, you miss some great mountain views! Day 1 is actually a pretty tough one, too -- up Flume, Liberty, and Franconia Ridge won't be easy. And Day 2 is the much-maligned Garfield Ridge. If these are really days 3/4/5 because of the previous 2-day Presi Traverse, you might be pretty beat, but re-evaluating and re-configuring on the fly is all part of the experience.

There are some nice swimming holes (pre-Irene, anyway) along the river before Lincoln Woods that make for a nice finish. Then there's some good pizza down in Lincoln.

 

[Peaks]

I suggest using the AMC shuttle to start what ever plans you have rather than trying to make a loop out of it.

 

[MichaelJ]

Take a nice long break on S. Twin.

I respectfully disagree. You're starting right there at Galehead Hut and it will take you no more than an hour to get up to S Twin. That's not the time for a long break. Make it 5 minutes to see the view then keep going. Without any extra effort you'll be at the Bonds by lunchtime and then can enjoy the Guyot stretch & sprawl out on West Bond to savor the best of the best. Back over to Bond at an easy pace and down to Bondcliff before mid afternoon.

 

[Mike P.]

If you succeed in doing the presi traverse or even close to it, you should be fine. My 2nd wedding stag party was a 3 night 4 day trip from Franconia Notch to Crawford Notch where we did the drop to Greenleaf & up over South Twin. (we made a left at Guyot)

Also have tried to pemi traverses one before & one after the Presidential trip (May - Franconia to Galehead & then in Fall did Bonds, both twins & Galehead) & have done the bonds from Galehead (& back) and also a Lincoln Woods - Zealand traverse. Actually the hardest day, IMO that you'll have is day two. You regain the 1000 feet you give up to Greenleaf, it's a decent descent to the Laf-Garfield Col & the whole Garfield Ridge Trail is full of pointless ups & downs which the map fails to do justice too.

Day three you get the 1200 foot ascent from the hut but your energized with a hearty breakfast. (Do galehead after dinner, day two or before if you have time)
The descent & Ascent to Guyot is minor as this is the inadequate col that keeps Guyot off the 200 foot list.

Climbing the Bonds is pretty easy from this direction. West Bond may be the best view point but the summit area is tiny. If you are there on a weekend, it can't be enjoyed more than a few minutes without others coming. (on West Bond, anymore than a few is a crowd due to it's size) It's harder to go up from LW get up Bondcliff and then drop down & then climb 700 or so feet to Bond. Providing there is no PM thunderstorms forecast & you have a clean haze free AM, South Twin is a great summit, a decent break would be good. If the PM is shaky, getting further along makes sense. In reality, all these summits offer incredible views.

 

[Keep Walking]

Thanks to all for the very valuable input. After conferring with my friends, we decided we're going to go for it and try the Pemi loop with overnight 1 at Greenleaf, overnight 2 at Galehead and then the 15 mile hike back to the car. It's in three weeks. Wish us luck!

 

[Mike P.]

let us know how it goes!

 

[weatherman]

Agree with the others and am VERY jealous! Day 2 will indeed be the biggest grunt (especially as you'll have to carry a good deal of water) and day 3 will be so gorgeous that you will not pay attention to your aching feet. Given that you'll have food and bed waiting at the huts, you don't have to expend much energy besides that required to hydrate and refuel in between, so you really can recharge. If you can find some cushy digs the night between the Presis and the Pemi, so much the better. And there really are multiple bailouts along the way if weather or mechanical problems (i.e. with your hiking machine) arise. Enjoy!

 

[Will]

I respectfully disagree. You're starting right there at Galehead Hut and it will take you no more than an hour to get up to S Twin. That's not the time for a long break. Make it 5 minutes to see the view then keep going.

It's one of the steepest climbs I've ever seen. And the descent down and onward from S Twin to the relatively level ridge is not trivial. I personally carry a very light pack even for long trips, and these OP folks will have only day-hut packs, so maybe you're right in that context.

My advice was based on trips I've led, where admittedly my charges frequently had heavy packs. A long break on top gives time to recover; it's a beautiful place to linger, and energy is needed for the upcoming descent. The pleasure of that easy ridge below is maximized if you're fully oxygenated, relaxed and strolling; you lose much of the advantage if you start in a deficit situation . I still can't help but feel that for most groups 5 minutes is not enough.