Right-to-Know request shows locals oppose AMC Lakes airlift site

CRAWFORD’S PURCHASE — White Mountain National Forest Pemigewasset District Ranger Brooke Brown gave her approval on April 4 to the Appalachian Mountain Club’s proposal to create a helicopter landing site near the Cog Base Road some 5 miles from Route 302 as an extension of the AMC Huts/Pinkham Notch Visitor Center permit, under which it operates seven huts plus the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center in the almost 800,000-acre White Mountain National Forest.

Once completed later this year, the cleared 150-by-150-foot site will be used to helicopter supplies up to the 100-bed Lakes of the Clouds Hut on the side of Mount Washington at a 5,012-foot elevation. Ninety beds are for paying guests, and 10 for AMC crew members and other specialists.