Winter Hike to Lonesome Lake Hut

Enjoy time in the cold and snow (it’s winter!) and get some exercise while ascending 1000 ft in 1.5 miles (average 13% grade) along the Lonesome Lake Trail to the hut.  Although the main attraction is the cozy, if unheated, AMC hut, this site offers a beautiful view of Lonesome Lake and Mt. Lafayette to the east.  Because of the absence of leaves this time of year, we will also have views to the east throughout our hike, and the AMC Guide tells us that we should be able to view North and South Kinsman to the west as we approach the lake.  We’ll see if we can find animal tracks and other curiosities to interest us throughout the hike.

Bring your lunch and snacks, which we will eat in Lonesome Lake Hut.  You’ll also need layers of warm clothing (no jeans or cotton), microspikes or snowshoes, sunscreen, rain gear (just in case).  Most likely we can use microspikes, but a recent snowfall will require snowshoes - I’ll let you know a few days prior if snowshoes will be needed. Don't forget gloves, warm hat, rain/wind shell, water, and anything else you would bring for a cold weather hike. I am taking hand warmers for my gloves. Winter insulated boots can help keep your feet and toes warm.  Read below for tips on clothing/gear for winter hiking.

Hike will be canceled for inclement weather.

Winter Hiking Clothing/Gear Tips and Recommendations

For winter hiking, you are basically wearing the same clothing/gear you did in summer except you need to have additional layers to keep your core body warm, dress in synthetic layers [no cotton], wool hat, and gloves [we highly recommend buying the chemical hand warmers for your gloves]. The only piece of gear you will have to buy is MicroSpikes [Kahtoola is a popular brand], which are essentially cleats that you attach to your boots to prevent falls from black ice encountered on the trail.  That being said, if we had significant snowfall just before the hike, you will need to buy/bring snowshoes! Winter hiking boots is something you may want to invest in later on, since it helps keep your feet warm, dry and comfortable.

One of the biggest mistakes beginner winter hikers do is overdress. You don’t need a heavy winter jacket since you will be heating up naturally during the hike. Wear thin, insulated layers so you can easily regulate your temperature. If you overdress, you will start sweating and actually make yourself get colder. Assess if your summer daypack is big enough to put your clothes in as you warm up and if not, then that is probably another investment you’ll have to make for this trip.