Winter Moonlight hike to the AMC's Lonesome Lake Hut
PLEASE READ UPDATE BELOW FROM THE TRIP COORDINATOR
Saturday, March 1, 2025 5pm - 8:30pm
Cost .. $0 (There is no cost, just need to show up.)
IMPORTANT INFO:
Due to changing weather in the notches, the only thing that will typically cancel this hike is rain at the trailhead at 5pm on the day of the hike. Anything else and it's still a go. If something comes up at the last minute and you find you are unable to go, do not worry about canceling or notifying us that you won't be attending...we understand. We will take attendance at 5pm at the trail head at the start of the hike and whoever is there by 5pm is on the hike.
If you forgot to sign up and felt a sudden inclination to join the fun...well then, just show up by 5pm for attendance and your in.
TRACTION DEVICES are always required, as the heavily traveled trail will have an ice rail on it. During warmish weather, for everyone's safety, we do not cross the lake but instead take the perimeter loop trail around the lake...this adds 3-5 minutes to the hike.
TO ANY FIRST TIMERS, feel free to bring any food or snacks you may want to eat or share at the hut and know that it is perfectly OK to bring your favorite alcoholic beverage. But there are no trash cans at the hut...you must carry out all your own trash.
Some go to the Woodstock Inn immediately following the hike...some others go to The Common Man in Ashland (exit 24) while others make tracks for home. There are no planned NHSC events following the hike...whatever happens, just happens.
See you in the woods,
Tom Cronin - Trip Coordinator
Where to Meet:...In the trailhead parking area at the Lafayette Place Campground at 5pm. The parking area is located on the Southbound side of Rte 93. There is a larger parking area directly across Rte 93 on the Northbound side (Bridal Path/Falling Waters Parking lot) connected by a pedestrian tunnel under the highway. There is log cabin visitor information building next to the Lafayette Place parking area. The trip participants will gather in the vicinity of the log cabin for attendance and a hike briefing at 5pm. Recommend arriving at least 1/2 hour early to prepare and be ready by 5pm.
The hike will take place if the weather is clear or snowing...the hike will be cancelled if it is raining. Hikers will use their own judgement regarding driving conditions to decide whether to participate or not.
NOTE: By far, the hardest part of this hike will be getting your gear together and getting yourself in the car and actually driving to the trailhead...even if it's a clear sunny afternoon. After noontime, energy and enthusiasm fades fast in the winter. If you can overcome the temptation to cancel on the day of the hike...you will be sure to have a great time on the hike and perhaps join fellow hikers who typically head to the nearby Woodstock Inn and Brewery after the hike for a properly chilled odd beverage. I recommend finding a buddy to ride with and share the driving.
Lonesome Lake Trail...The trail is 1.5 miles from the trail start, to the hut along an easy to moderate grade. The round trip hike time including stops, takes about 3 hours. The hut is open year round and there is usually a wood stove burning in the evening. The hut is amply lit with solar powered LED lights. The hut makes available, snack bars and hot drinks to all visiting hikers for a small fee.
After a stop at the hut, the hikers will continue the hike around the backside of Lonesome Lake completing the short loop hike circling the Lake before heading back down. (IMHO: The lake loop trail is one of the most interesting parts of the hike.)
2024 Moonlight Hiker Group (largest group ever)
2023 Moonlight Hiker Group
2020 Moonlight Hiker Group
What to bring:
Dress in Warm layers..Wear layers that can be removed and stashed in your backpack while going up and then put back on for the colder descent down the trail. Avoid wearing any cotton clothing as it will not dry out and can make you feel even colder.
Bathrooms...Typical hiking trail bathroom practices apply while hiking along the trail. Also, There are unheated pit toilets available at the hut.
Water...Bring water in an insulated bottle or buried in the middle of your pack to keep from freezing. There is drinking water available at the hut.
Along the trail...
Flashlights...Due to the lunar schedule or clouds, there could be very limited lighting, so headlamps are required. (NOTE: Cell phone flashlight are unreliable in the cold and should not be used in place of headlamps.)
TRACTION DEVICES...Recommend wearing micro-spikes worn over your insulated hiking boots. Snowshoes are a good second option if you do not have Micro-spikes. The trail will be slippery and most likely snow covered with hidden patches of ice.
At Lonesome Lake at sunset (hut is located on the distant shore)
Gloves...A couple of pairs of gloves are good to bring. Lightweight breathable gloves for climbing and warmer insulated gloves for the descent. Avoid gloves labeled "waterproof" as they tend to not let the warm vapor escape from your hands and will eventually cause gloves to become damp and cold.
Head Gear....Hats, earmuffs, hooded jacket, headbands or a combination of these to adapt to changing climbing conditions, such as level walking or descending.
Boots....Wear Insulated hiking boots or heavy duty hiking boots with an extra layer of insulated socks. Lightweight trail runner boots are not recommended and don't work well with snowshoe bindings or micro spikes
Walking Sticks...Though not always needed in the summer, trek poles or your ski poles work well for winter hikes on snowy and icy trails.
At the Hut
Group Winter Hiking Safe Practices...There is always a mix of experienced and newbies on these winter hikes. To keep it safe and fun for all, we employ a trail leader that will always be in the lead of the pack and assign a trail sweep (usually myself) that stragglers can keep company with. We always stop at all trail junctions to make sure everyone goes the same way. Our practice is to hike a slower more steady pace with multiple breaks to catch our breath, adjust layers and let the lead hikers regroup with the slower hikers. As a trail sweep, I will not let anyone fall behind and if for some reason a hiker cannot finish the climb, I will assign a new trail sweep and then descend and accompany the tired hiker(s) on a safe journey back down to their car.
A note about bringing our favorite dogs on the Hike...We love dogs and dogs are allowed on the National Forest trails..BUT, here are a few reasons why we discourage bringing dogs on this winter night hike.
1) The narrow trails with hikers wearing sharp micro spikes don't mix well with doggie paws. OUCH!
2) The AMC does not allow dogs in any of their mountain huts (including therapy dogs). Huts are not dog friendly.
3) Winter night hiking is very cold at elevation and since dogs are not allowed in AMC huts no matter how cold they might be., the dog owner must wait outside with their dog during the groups visit at the hut.
SEE YOU IN THE WOODS!
Tom Cronin