Season Dates:

Full-Service Season
June 2, 2022 – October 15, 2022
June 1, 2023 – October 21, 2023

Self-Service Season
May 5, 2023 – May 28, 2023

A challenging 4.6 miles from the trailhead, Galehead Hut offers day hikes to some of the most remote and sought-after peaks, including the three peaks that make up the Bonds for the ultimate White Mountains experience. During the full-service summer and fall season, fuel up with delicious, homemade breakfasts and dinners for the day’s exploration of nearby Twin or Bond peaks, or to support your adventure to the hut’s nearest neighbors seven miles away.

Galehead Hut offers co-ed bunkrooms and separate washrooms with composting toilets and cold water sinks. AMC Huts are in backcountry locations and are “off the grid,” meaning they are only accessible by hiking. Bunkhouses are not heated, have no lighting, and no electrical outlets. Rooms stay cold, so bring an appropriately rated sleeping bag and a headlamp or flashlight for your overnight visit.

The legendary AMC hut “croo” or caretakers are available to assist you with trip planning, trail information, and weather reports while our Hut Naturalist offers daily programs about the local flora and fauna, geology, and hut history before and after dinner during full-service season.

Full-Service

Cold running water is available in the washrooms. Blankets and pillows will no longer be provided at the huts but sleeping bag, pillows, and gear rentals are available through Effortless Adventures. Dinner and breakfast are included with your stay. Breakfast is served family-style at 7 a.m. sharp and includes eggs with pancakes or a baked good, plus hot cereal, fruit, and breakfast meat, such as bacon or sausage, with coffee, cocoa, or tea. Dinner is served family-style at 6 p.m. sharp and includes fresh bread, soup, salad, a hearty entrée, and dessert. Please notify AMC Contact Service Center if you have food allergies or other dietary restrictions. Bring your own lunch; otherwise soup and baked goods are available for sale daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Please carry in/carry out all personal trash and recyclables, in accordance with Leave No Trace protocol.

Self-Service

Open in early May for self-service, a caretaker is available from 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM and from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. The caretaker may light a fire in the main building after 4 p.m. Guests pack in their own food and have full use of the hut’s stove, oven, cookware, and service ware. During self-service season, there is potable cold running water in the kitchen and washrooms. Please carry in/carry out all personal trash and recyclables, in accordance with Leave No Trace protocol.

Cancellation Policies

Learn more about AMC’s cancellation policies for lodging and programs.

Trail Access

Gale River Trail to Galehead Hut is a moderate but lengthy trail. The first half of the trail is a gradual incline that gives way to steeper terrain. Three stream crossings can pose a challenge in high water, but most often the crossings are manageable. Footing continues to be stable as the terrain becomes more angled. Most hikers take between 3 to 5 hours to hike the 4.6 miles to the hut. The Gale River Trailhead is accessible from the Gale River Loop Road (FR92) off NH Route 3 between Franconia Notch and Twin Mountain.

Getting Around

AMC’s Hiker Shuttle connects the Highland Center, Pinkham Notch Visitor Center, and the towns of Lincoln and Gorham with major trails to the huts, allowing hikers to start and end their trip at different points. The stop in the town of Lincoln is coordinated with Concord Coach bus service. Hiker Shuttle runs daily for most of the full-service hut season, from early June to mid-September. The shuttle operates on weekends only from mid-September to mid-October. Reservations are strongly recommended.

Weather

The right clothing and gear are essential in the unpredictable weather of the Northeast’s mountains. Even if it feels like summer in the valleys, it can be cold and winter-like on the high peaks. Be prepared for severe weather regardless of season, dress in layers (including synthetic or wool base and insulating layers, and a windproof/waterproof outer shell), eat high energy foods, and stay hydrated.

Our Commitment to Sustainable Operations

AMC has a long-standing commitment to using its huts, lodges, and sporting camps as models for sustainable operations and environmental stewardship. At Galehead Hut we use solar panels and battery banks to run electricity and use LED lighting. The hut has composting toilets and we are committed to recycling and composting food.