The Haunted Hike In New Hampshire That Will Send You Running For The Hills
By Michelle|Published February 28, 2019
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Michelle
Author
Michelle's life is a colorful map of exploration and adventure. From the iconic streets of New York to the sunny shores of Florida, the jagged coast of Maine to the rugged terrain of Montana, she's been fortunate to call some of America's most beautiful states home. Beyond the U.S., Michelle's wanderlust has taken her on a motorcycle journey through India, led her to teach English in Hanoi, and saw her studying Spanish in Guatemala. Michelle graduated with a communications degree from the S. I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University and in addition to a career in advertising has worked with OnlyInYourState since 2016, where her love for travel and storytelling converges. Alongside writing and exploring, Michelle finds joy in photography, staying active, and time with her family.
For questions, comments and inquiries please email: mstarin@onlyinyourstate.com.
You already know that there are plenty of places to enjoy the outdoors in New Hampshire. From days at the beach to romps through the woods, the varying geography of the state makes for lots of ways to get outside. While most are simply beautiful, every so often it’s fun to go on more of an adventure. We don’t necessarily mean a harrowing hike that feels dangerous, but we do mean something that might scare you. Check out this destination that might be the most haunted outdoor area in the state.
To learn more about the Lake of the Clouds hut and the other AMC huts, check out their website. The hut can be reached using many different trails. Some lead from the Cog Railway.
The Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) Lake of the Clouds Hut is one of the most beautiful places to spend the night in New Hampshire. But, it’s not without its history.
On the same site as this present day structure, there was another structure. A shelter built in 1901 in response to the death of two people attempting to get to the top of oftentimes volatile Mount Washington.
At an elevation of about 5,030 feet, which is 1,200 feet below the summit of the Mount Washington, this hut is the highest of all the ones managed by the AMC.
The hut can hold up to 96 hikers, along with a crew of folks who stay here to cook and maintain things. While conditions are comfortable, it’s not always an easy stay.
As most know, Mount Washington has some of the harshest conditions in the world. The summit has seen wind speeds of up to 231 mph, which are the highest ever recorded in the world! Temperatures here have even reached as low at -50.
As a result of these conditions, hiking here can be dangerous. To date, more than 150 hikers have been killed on the mountain. It’s believed that the souls of these hikers remain here on the mountain and they’ve come to be known as "the presence."
One of the spookiest stories to come out of the hut involves an AMC member named George who was sent to open the hut at the beginning of the season. When he didn’t return, a search party was sent and they found him hiding under a sink, terrified. He reported seeing a crowd of ghoulish faces.
You might notice boots nailed to the wall. This was reportedly done to keep the boots from walking after their original owners has perished in mountain accidents.
Hikers are also warned not to insult the spirits of those who have died here. It is said that those who utter ill sentiments will be struck or pushed by invisible hands.
The good news for worried hikers is that in the summer, the Lake of the Clouds hut is always full of visitors. Somehow a hut full of other people makes the idea of spooky ghosts much more palatable. It’s the off-season that might be more scary. You can still visit during this time, but you’ll need more equipment and definitely a dose of bravery.
