Trip Report: White Mountains, NH - Mt. Washington & Mt. Monroe

The hike up Ammonoosuc Trail was surprisingly easy. I had read stories of how Mt. Washington was tough, how it was more like a western (Rocky) mountain. However, on Ammonoosuc I saw, or felt, none of this.

At the Lake of the Clouds hut, I was feeling so strong, so confident, that I turned away from Mt. Washington and climbed to the summit of Mt. Monroe.

Lake of the Clouds hut and Mt. Washington, as seen from the side of Mt. Monroe.

The first thing that greats hikers, as they leave the Lake of the Clouds hut towards Washington, is a weather beaten warning sign: "STOP: The area ahead has the worst weather in America. Many have died there from exposure, even in the summer. Turn back now if the weather is bad."

The aforementioned warning

one of the Lakes of the Clouds

On the lower steps of Washington, there was a camaraderie amongst us hikers; we chatted, we joked, we laughed together. However as the final mile ground us down with its continuous, demoralizing, unending ascent, we withdrew, one-by-one, into that quiet mental place all athletes know. That place where your mind is clear, pain is ignored, and all that matters is the lifting of the left foot, followed by the right, and repeated ad infinitum.

All that mental stillness is broken by the bustle at the summit. Visitors who drove, or took the Cog Railroad up the mountain, rush around from one side to the next, children screaming or squealing in delight.

I don't want to give the wrong impression, although it was a bit of a shock, the summit experience was not bad. I've been on summits (without roads) that were far more crowded and less personable. Everyone at the top was respectful of the hikers, so much so that one visitor stopped me to congratulate me.

Mt. Washington Observatory

Trail leaving Mt. Washington

From the naturalists and the family celebrating their patriarchs 60th birthday, to the waterfalls and pools dotting Ammonoosuc, and the birds and other wildlife around Jewel Trail, it was a great day of hiking.

Distance: 9.1 miles
Time: 7 hours 40 minutes
AMC 4k peaks: Mt. Monroe, Mt. Washington

Trip Report: White Mountains, NH - Pemigewasset Wilderness

18 Sept 2009.

The plan. The plan was achievable. The plan was to hike the Lincoln Woods Trail to Franconia Falls, swing by Shoal Pond and Thoreau Falls before heading back. Four Days. 26 miles. Under 6.5 miles a day. Easy.

I was hiking with an inexperienced individual who had back surgery less then a year ago. The emphasis was on balancing ease with picturesque. Build an experience that wouldn't tax the system.

(East Branch) Pemigewasset River, Bondcliff in the background

We started out slowly, chatting, stopping to take pictures (like the one above). There was no rush.

Lincoln Woods Trail (after Osseo Trail branch off)

The tenor of the hike changed shortly after the Osseo trail branched off. The breaks became more frequent, the conversation less so.

When we reached the Black Pond Trail and I happily announced our proximity to Franconia Falls. Unfortunately, that distance was to great. Back pain, which had been slowly building, had now reached the point where my companion was concerned about making the trip back to the car. So, 2.6 miles in, the "easy" camping expedition was canceled and efforts were made to ensure a successful return trip (eating, hydrating, and transferring the injured persons pack to the non-injured).

The return trip was quick, despite stopping frequently to rest (and take Pemi pictures), and uneventful. Exactly what you want when a team member is nursing an injury.

White Mountains - Pemigewasset Wilderness

Distance: 5.2 miles
Time: 3 hours 20 minutes 
AMC 4k peaks: N/A

Trip Report: White Mountains, NH - Franconia Ridge Loop

12 Sept 2009.

In preparation for a White Mountain Camping excursion, on the 12th of September, I set off to solo the most popular Franconia Ridge loop: Falling Waters Trail to Little Haystack Mt to Mt. Lincoln to Mt. Lafayette to Greenleaf Trail to the Old Bridle Path. The day was long, about eight and a half hours, but the visuals were stunning.

  The first waterfall on the Falling Waters Trail

Although rain pounded southern New Hampshire and Massachusetts, the skies were clear when I arrived at the White Mountains. However as I ascended Little Haystack Mountain, the clouds started to roll in. So much so, the view from the top of Little Haystack was less then picturesque.

Franconia Ridge Trail, seen from Little Haystack Mt

After resting and eating at Little Haystack's summit, I decided to continue on to Lincoln. The last bit of Falling Waters was extremely steep and far more difficult than I expected. I was slightly concnered, if Falling Waters was the AMC's idea of an easy trail, I wasn't looking forward to meeting a "difficult" one.

I followed the trail blindly, the low clouds obscuring the mountains ahead, in near perfect silence occasionally interrupted by the sound of hiking poles striking rock and then voice.
A tired hiker on Mt. Lincoln
The surrealism cannot be adequately explained. I was hiking on the most popular trail, seeing only 100 yards around, no other people, no sounds of people, silence only interrupted by the sounds I made. And then suddenly (and only occasionally) the dragging sound of hiking poles on rock, a voice or voices, and moments later a figure in the fog.

Rt-93, as seen from the Greenleaf Trail.

White Mountains - Franconia Ridge Album

Distance: 8.5 miles
Time: ~8.5 hours
AMC 4k peaks: Mt. Lincoln, Mt. Lafayette