If you haven't yet treated yourself to a hike and a night's stay in one of the AMC White Mountain huts, you've been missing out on a world-class experience.

Having trekked on the other side of the Atlantic quite a bit, I find the AMC hut thing very European, except that it's right here close to home! And I do believe it's time for another go-round at the huts!

AMC operates eight high mountain huts along a 70-mile stretch of the AT, from Lonesome Lake sandwiched between the Kinmans and Cannon Mountain all the way across the Franconias and Presidentials to Carter Notch tucked into the woods beneath Wildcat and Carter Dome.

The Lakes of the Clouds sits at 5,000 feet between Mounts Washington and Monroe in the Presidential Range.
Photo courtesy www.hikethewhites.com

Trail Head near Mt. Eisenhower on the path between Mizpah and Lakes huts last summer.
Carey Kish photo

The huts allow you to enjoy a few days on the trail (or a week or more) encumbered by only a light rucksuck, no heavy overnight gear required. Yep, that''s right. The huts provide warm bunks with blankets and pillows. You need bring only a sheet-sack and pillowcase.

As for meals, well, come hungry. Yeah, you'll need snack foods for the trail and a water bottle. But once at the hut, you'll sit down with the other guests - fellow hikers just like you - gathered from near and far, and enjoy a huge family-style meal for dinner and breakfast. All prepared by the friendly hut crew. You will not walk away hungry!

Relaxing is a big part of the hut experience. Hang out at the tables and read, write, look out the windows, chat with folks from all over the globe, play games. Forget about the busy world below for awhile.

Take in an after-dinner walk to a nearby peak, follow the hut naturalist for a walk and talk on alpine plants. Pull up a rock and watch the sunset. Sleep a deep, restful sleep listening the mountains winds.

Ahhh...

Carter Notch Hut lies in a deep defile between Wildcat Mountain and Carter Dome. It is open all year.
Photo courtesy www.hikethewhites.com

WHAT: Hike the White Mountains and stay overnight in one of the AMC high mountain huts. Better yet, make it a multi-day trip and experience some fine walking and several different huts.

WHEN: The AMC huts open for business on June 4th and remain open until mid-September (a couple are open year-round). Weekends can be busy so do plan ahead. Mid-week is a good bet if you can get away. Either way, reservations are a must! FYI: June is a great time to see the alpine flowers.

WHERE: The huts are located along a 70-mile stretch of the AT in the White Mountains of NH.

WHY: Great mountain hiking with a light pack. Unique and comfy overnight accommodations in spectacular locations.

HOW: Check out the AMC huts online. Plan your trip, get a gear list, check event schedules, and make reservations.

BONUS: Go for a three or five night stay and save 12% on your entire stay (excluding Saturday nights). Hey, why not?! Life is short, hike the huts! By the way, for the multi-day trip, use the AMC hiker shuttle to make it easy to get back to your car (and save on the gas for car shuttling... better used for post-hike chow and beers!).

You ever stayed in the AMC huts? What was your experience like?

Galehead Hut is the most remote in the AMC system. It sits at 3,800 feet between Mount Garfield and the Twins.
Photo courtesy www.hikethewhites.com