Lonesome Lake, New Hampshire - January 15, 2009
Deep in the White Mountains, hikers are lacing up their snowshoes and studying maps; ready to set foot up a steep mountain to what can best be described as a Davey Crockett's version of a Holiday Inn.
"Lonesome Lake is right here and to get to the next hut you'd hike down the Lonesome Lake trail," said hut supervisor Eric Pedersen, as he looked at a map.
New Hampshire's White Mountains are home to eight mountain huts-- all located deep within the forest and accessible only by the heartiest of souls.
"They were fashioned after the alpine huts in Europe; in the Alps," explained Rob Burbank of the Appalachian Mountain Club.
"The huts are great because you can travel into the back country and have a different experience than backpacking or camping," Pedersen said.
A 1.5 mile-long trail leads to the Lonesome Lake hut-- the easiest to reach in winter.
"The climbing's almost easier in the winter time if you have the right stuff, you know," hiker Billy Laporto said.
The trail twists and winds its way through snow covered forest and over cascading brooks, before finally plateauing at Lonesome Lake-- 2,700 feet above it all.
"It feels like you're almost on another planet when you're crossing the lake in the wintertime," Pedersen said.
The Lonesome Lake hut is one of only three huts to welcome guests year-round.
Erica Marcus is the winter caretaker.
"The day I hiked up here it was -6 without the wind chill," she said.
She has her own ways to stay warm. "Shoveling, sit-ups, push-ups, tap dancing when no one's here to see."
Most guests usually only spend a night or two at the hut during the winter.
Just long enough to take in the breathtaking views...
"If you're here long enough there's usually breaks in the clouds and you can see the whole ridgeline," Marcus said. "It's awesome."
But not long enough to freeze.
"The best time of day is definitely when I get to start the fire," Marcus said with a laugh.
48 people can stay at one time, but more often than not in winter the hut is empty.
Some-- like this couple-- visit just for the day.
"This is a very easy hike. It's not a climb," said Marvin Dolinsky of Lincoln, N.H.
"It's a nice break," Beverly Dolinsky agreed. "And it's fun."
In addition to a place to lay your head, the huts come equipped with wood stoves, solar powered lights and ovens.
"For some people this is a really plush place to come in the winter," Marcus said. "They talk about all their hard core winter experiences and stuff and for some people this is as extreme as they get."
The perfect winter escape for outdoor enthusiasts young and old-- and a place Erica Marcus is proud to call home, no matter how cold it gets.
The Appalachian Mountain Club huts cost $33 a person per night during the winter season and reservations are strongly encouraged. Visitors do need to bring their sleeping bags and food in the winter.
As far as the fire-- it's lit every night at 5 p.m.
Click here for more information on the Appalachian Mountain Club huts.
Keagan Harsha - WCAX News
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