Friday, August 28

The Night Before

All guests should arrive on Friday and book one night at a hotel in the area. We suggest booking hotel rooms in Glen, Bartlett, Carroll, or Bethlehem. Anything that is close to Bretton Woods is best (where the Cog Railway is). We’ve shared a list of some vetted options below.

There are no planned activities Friday night so grab dinner, stop by a local pub, and explore the nearby towns with the free time you have.

Saturday, August 29

Getting to the Mount Washington Summit & Trailhead

On Saturday morning grab breakfast at your hotel or in town and pack all your gear and snacks for the trail.

After breakfast we’ll meet at the parking lot for the Cog Railway, which is at the eastern base of Mount Washington in Bretton Woods.

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We are still figuring out exact timing for the trips up the mountain but trips will likely be in the earlier morning (9AM or 10AM). Once you reach the top of Mount Washington on the Cog Railway it's just a short down to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut.

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Guests who prefer a challenge are welcome to hike up instead of taking the shuttle. There's a few trails you can take but both have at least 2500 feet of elevation gain.

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Hiking to Lake of the Clouds Hut

From the Mount Washington summit, the trail to the hut is about 1.5 miles downhill with 1,000 feet of elevation loss. Estimate about 1 hour of hiking. The trail is well marked and easy to follow but please note it’s rated hard due to its rocky terrain.

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There will be dedicated guides to lead the way and assist should any issue arise. Take your time, be safe, and wear proper hiking clothes and shoes. The weather on Mount Washington is unpredictable so come prepared for potential high winds or rain. We linked a packing list at the bottom of this page with suggested clothing to wear.

See the All Trails map here: tinyurl.com/hikenw

Arriving at the Hut

Once you arrive, you’ll have time to change into your wedding clothes, drop your gear in your assigned bunk, set up your sleeping bag, and get settled before the ceremony.

Sleeping arrangements will be summer camp style with shared bunkrooms, simple mattresses, and a communal lodge atmosphere. Each guest will be assigned a bunk with a mattress pad and will bring their own sleeping bag or sheets. You can find more information about gear to bring in the linked packing list below. There are several bunkrooms of various sizes so we’ll do our best to group you with others you know.

Keep in mind the hut is rustic—no showers, limited electricity, and little to no cell service. We've stayed here before and found it to be cozy, warm, and welcoming but don't expect hotel level accommodations.

The hut is staffed by a crew of trained wilderness responders. They will assist in any emergency, prepare our food, and answer any questions you might have about the white mountains, nearby trails, and conservation. Our photographer is also a trained wilderness responder so rest assured there are plenty of resources should any emergency arise.

If you want to learn more about the huts check out this video here: tinyurl.com/lotc2926 (good find Audrey!) Also blame The Knot for why these links don't work...just copy and paste in your browser.

Celebrating!

Once everyone has arrived and as weather allows, the celebration will begin with an outdoor ceremony in the late afternoon led by our officiant Max Gibson, and accompanied by the talented Nick Kanney on guitar.

After the ceremony we will take photos and gather for charcuterie, snacks, and drinks while (hopefully) enjoying the glorious mountain views together.

A family style dinner will be served promptly at 6:00pm, followed by a few toasts and plenty of dancing. There will be additional food options for anyone with allergies or dietary restrictions.

At 10:00pm quiet hours begin, but guests are welcome to linger in the common room for relaxed conversation or card games before heading to the bunks for the night.

Sunday, August 30

The Morning After

The hut crew will wake everyone around 6:30am and serve a hearty breakfast at 7:00am.

Afterward we will pack up, hike back up to Mount Washington, and shuttle down in shifts to the trailhead to retrieve your cars. If you prefer a longer hike, you can also hike all the way down the mountain or extend your stay at another AMC hut.