Mizpah Spring AMC Hut

Mizpah Spring Hut

Mizpah Spring Hut is one of eight backcountry huts managed by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) within the White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire. This hut is situated below the summit of Mt. Pierce.

The usual approach to the hut is via Crawford Connector, Crawford Path, Mizpah Cut-Off & the Webster Cliff trails. The Crawford Path trailhead is found on the left side of Mt. Clinton Rd, which is off US-302 very close to the AMC Highland Center. There are several excellent day trips that can be made from the Hut, including a visit to Mt. Pierce, Mt. Eisenhower & Dry River Falls, a remote waterfall tucked deep in the Dry River Wilderness.

Accommodations

According to the AMC's website (www.outdoors.org), the 2012 operating season is as follows:

2012: "Self Service" May 4 - May 28
2012: "Full Service" June 1 - October 13

Self-Service" means that meals are not provided, but you may use their kitchen facilities to cook your own food. The hut provides mattresses and pillows during the self-service season, but you will need to bring an appropriately rated sleeping bag. I also recommend bringing a headlamp and earplugs.

"Full-Service" includes a full dinner and breakfast, and you are provided with a mattress, blankets and a pillow. Bring your own sleeping liner (recommended) or a very lightweight sleeping bag.

Water can be refilled at the hut (they have a well).

Mizpah Spring Hut sleeps 60 in coed bunkrooms for four to eight people. Reservations are mandatory (except for A.T. thru-hikers). The Hut typically sells out well in advance for many summer & holiday weekends.

There are tent sites nearby to the Hut, referred to as the Nauman Tent site. A caretaker is stationed there and a fee is charged for the use of these sites.

Check Availability (Reservations):
AMC Reservations

Access

Mizpah Spring Hut is the fifth AMC hut along the Appalachian Trail corridor in New Hampshire:

Note: Huts are listed in order from south to north as they lie on the A.T.
1st - Lonesome Lake Hut
2nd - Greenleaf Hut
3rd - Galehead Hut
4th - Zealand Falls Hut
5th - Mizpah Spring Hut
6th - Lakes of the Clouds Hut
7th - Madison Spring Hut
8th - Carter Notch Hut

The usual route to the Hut is via the Crawford Path, Mizpah Cut-Off & Webster Cliff Trail from the parking area located just south of the AMC Highland Center on US-302 (2.6 miles with 1,900ft of elevation gain).

Distances from the Hut to:
Mt. Pierce - 0.8 mile (via Webster Cliff Trail)
Mt. Jackson - 1.7 miles (via Webster Cliff Trail)
Mt. Eisenhower - 2.5 miles (via Webster Cliff Trail, Crawford Path & Mt. Eisenhower Loop)
Dry River Falls - 2.7 miles (via Mt. Clinton Trail, Dry River Cutoff, Mt. Eisenhower Trail & Dry River Trail)
Mt. Monroe - 4.4 miles (via Webster Cliff Trail, Crawford Path & Mt. Monroe Loop)
Lakes of the Clouds Hut 4.8 miles (via Webster Cliff Trail & Crawford Path)
Mt. Washington - 6.3 miles (via Webster Cliff Trail & Crawford Path)
Zealand Falls Hut - 8.1 miles (via Webster Cliff Trail, Mizpah Cut-Off, Crawford Path, Avalon Trail, A-Z Trail, Zealand Trail & Twinway)

External Links

Appalachian Mountain Club's Mizpah Spring Hut page
Mohammed Ellozy's Mizpah Spring Hut page
Higher Summits Forecast