Winter Hut Trips Continue
First Annual Lonesome Lake Trip

 When the AMC decided to keep the Lonesome Lake Hut open year round it gave the Maine Chapter the opportunity to add another hut trip to their winter schedule. 

On February 21^st  fifteen energetic hikers celebrated the first annual Maine Chapter Hut Trip to Lonesome Lake Hut. The leaders for this hike were myself, Ginny Smith and Maureen McCool.  After meeting at the Lafayette Campground the group hiked into the hut as snow flakes fell. 

After having lunch and getting settled into their assigned bunks the group split into two groups for afternoon activities.  The more aggressive group then hiked to the summit of North Kinsmen while the other hikers strolled around Lonesome Lake and climbed about 800 feet looking for a view.  Even though it was overcast,  and no view was to be found, everyone had a great time. 

One participant, Sally Nason, a new hiker and first time winter hut attendee exclaimed “I’m having a great time, I want to go to Carter”, knowing that the Chapter has a March trip to Carter Hut. 

As a leader for these trips it is very fulfilling for me to see people who haven’t tired these trips before to get so “hooked”.  If we can encourage only one person to enjoy the outdoors by joining us on one of these trips I feel my job has been done. 

After spending the afternoon outdoors we were all ready for the wonderful dinner we have all come to know will be waiting for us under the guidance of our long time “Chef” Ginny Smith.  Ginny has been planning and supervising all the hut meals for many years and the groups are always willing to join in the preparation of the meals making our trips truly a team activity. 

At Lonesome, as we all gathered for a group picture Sunday morning before leaving the hut, it was decided that there will be a second annual Lonesome Lake Hut Trip.