Saw this variation and had to give it a go; it sounded like an epic adventure day.
This route is historical, so I stopped at every hut, which took time, but that is the adventure.
I started at 4:28 am Saturday with a gorgeous day in the forecast. The 19-mile Brook Trail was quite runnable and gradual, so I got up on my pace here, especially traveling light since I was passing my car on the way to Mad Hut. I chugged a Red Bull, threw my vest on, and was on my way. The trail was flowy and fast until it was very much the opposite; this was my first time on this trail, so I turned my watch to map mode and had my phone available to confirm I wasn't going off into the woods. I was patient during this stretch, reaching Mad Hut at 4 hours 29 minutes. The hut was packed, all sorts of journeys happening. I went inside and layered up for the ridge, then waited in line to fill my flasks (the transitions at the huts were very slow until the end of the day when people went to bed).
I had great enjoyment crossing this ridgeline for the first time, not touching any of the major peaks. This helped me mentally, as I waved to them in passing.
I reached Lake of the Clouds Hut in 6 hours 55 min. Shortly after passing Eisenhower, I took a fall, breaking a pole... 21 miles in. This means my legs would see more loading in the next 30 miles, which frightened me.
I reached Mizpah Hut in 8 hours and 28 min. This marks the point I started to slow down. Mentally and physically, I felt fine, but systematically there was a weird buffer. On my way down to Crawford Notch, I stopped to pet the most gorgeous collie playing in a stream. She reminded me of my parents' dogs, one named Rebel. The rest of the descent, I was thinking of the Red Bull in my drop bag but saying it fast to sound like Rebel.
At Crawford Notch, I got my snacks and chugged another Red Bull. I threw away my broken pole as it was a safety hazard. Then up I went over to Zealand Hut. After the climb that back trail turned to a soft smooth piney path. It felt so good on my body as I was able to jog without concern of falling. It was also finally quiet; peaceful, relaxing, the ridge was too busy for me.
I reached Zealand Hut in 11 hours 17 minutes. Kids ran out and went swimming, screaming of joy.
I continued on to climb, which I felt I was stalling. I couldn't push past 130ish HR.
I reached Galehead Hut in 14 hours 1 min. I got my lights ready to go into the dark. I got to see the last ribbon of light on Garfield, where I took a moment to breathe, listen, and look off towards Lafayette. I reached the exposed alpine zone going up to the last summit. It was dark, cold, and the wind picked up. I threw my Alpha 90 on, which helped but not enough; the wind went right through it, and my windbreaker was buried with my gloves. I navigated up the ridge slowly, making sure to stay on trail. When I reached the top, I started to swiftly move down to the tree line.
I reached Greenleaf Hut in 17 hours 37 minutes. Only 6 miles left on my feet. I got down to the campground and dropped my vest to reach Lonesome Hut in 19 hours and 26 min and finish in 19 hours and 58 minutes.
I spent too long in between trying to change into dry clothes, eat, and organize my pack. When I hopped onto my bike, it didn't work. The derailleur was not set up correctly, which was my fault for not testing it after I put it back on the day before from maintenance. This was a tough fix this deep into the adventure, but I finally was able to get it to work and was on the road over an hour later. The bike path was punchy and rooty, the road was speedy and the gravel was sketchy.
While on the road I was dozing off watching the white line. I took my last caf gel and started blasting music. This got me through; on the gravel climb my chain dropped so I had to stop and fix that, which also took longer than it needed too. The descent was scary, potholes and loose gravel popping up quickly from the dark void in front of me.
When you pop out onto road again, it is a gradual road climb to the finish.
What a great FULL day out in these mountains.
I had no stomach issues! no cramping, just the weird body stall. No injury and no major soreness; maybe it's because I didn't really taper for this? I don't know, but it was fun.
Anyways I highly recommend this route with the bike back to close the loop!