Trails: Jewell, Gulfside, Trinity Heights Connector, Crawford Path, Mt. Monroe Loop, Mt. Eisenhower Loop, & Edmands Path.
Total Distance: 12.7 miles Vertical Gain: 4650'
And so it begins again! Our friends Ted Wallace and Mike Cote joined us for a walk in the park.
We started the day at the base of the Cog Railway.
The Jewell Trail was our way up.
Crossing the bridge into the wild.
We were in the trees for the first couple of hours. Then we break out w/ a few views of our day ahead.
Here comes the Cog, with Mts. Monroe and Franklin behind it.
Finally we gain the ridge and the Gulfside trail. Mt. Clay behind us.
Looking up to the summit of Washington.
And out over Ammonoosuc Ravine
Farther across the ridge, we stop and admire the northern Presidentials; Jefferson, Adams, and Madison.
They don't call it (Mt. Washington) "the rockpile" for nothing.
Washington is like Las Vegas. There's 8 sides to it, and the summit cone is so large, that you see it from almost anywhere you are. It's omnipresent. And you think "It's right there. I'll be there in 15 minutes."
Time for another northern Pressies shot. Wow!
Are we there yet?
We made it to the summit in 3 1/2 hrs. Not bad. Can't wait for our summit shot.
Oh, but there's a line of 20 people waiting for theirs.
People can either drive, hike, or take the Cog to the top. But we all enjoy the views!
Our time! #40!
The northern Pressies from the summit. Yes, we have hiked those. You can see a small patch of snow on Mt. Jefferson known as "the beach".
After taking a break up top to refill water and eat treats..............
........ we move to the south side of the summit and look at the rest of our day mostly downhill.
A closer look down to Lakes of the Clouds hut, with Mts. Monroe, Franklin, and Eisenhower past it.
Down we head on the Crawford Path, the oldest continually used mountain trail in America, in service since 1819.
This pic is one of many that shows the depth of mountains surrounding us.
Approaching the hut.
Time for a story. I only found out the day before that my friends, Travis and Darcy, were hiking up to the Lakes of the Clouds hut with a group of their family. They were spending the night there. Travis and I talked just the day before, discussed each other's plans, and said wouldn't it be great if we could see each other at some point. Maybe we'll cross paths...... Yeah, right!
We talked that morning on the drive up. We were starting a 1/2 hr. later than we wanted, and Travis said they were an hour behind schedule. But somehow, we ended up arriving at the hut within 15 minutes or so of each other. Fate or mountain karma was at work here. But to actually have it work out was pretty cool.
Unbelievable!! How ya doing?!
We chatted with them while taking a lunch break for 20 or so minutes. Then it was time to head out.
Ted and Thomas leading the charge.
Our next peak, Monroe, from just past the hut.
As we climb, looking back at our day so far.
Getting close now.
Looking east to some snow patches left over in Oakes Gulf.
Top of the world, Ma!
In 6 hours time, we have #41, Mt. Monroe, in the books.
Just past the summit, Thomas is on the edge of greatness........
And down the ridge we go. Our next peak, Franklin is unofficial. Not on the 48s list, even though technically it's high enough. But we're not going to bypass it. Looks like some other people have the same thought.
Mike is a happy man!
Franklin is probably on some list. We'll check it off ours.
Looking across at Eisenhower, our final objective of the day.
Some mountain flora.
Still have that Oh-so-fresh feeling.
It's group-selfie time!
Looking back at Franklin on the L, Monroe on the R, and Washington in the middle.
I think this next section of hiking was our favorite part of the day.
Nothing better than some high-alpine ridge-walking!
Approaching Eisenhower.
As we get to the base of our last peak, we look back at our whole day to this point.
And just like snapping fingers, we are here. Thomas: "Forty-what?"
That's right. #42!!
Where does he get the energy?
And a fitting pic. Our last summit- together.
There were a few people on top when we first got there. But as they left, we had the summit to ourselves for a bit. Had a nice break eating our 3rd lunch of the day.
I'm including this next pic because I told them I would, and they ROCK!! Mother and son started hiking at 4 am doing the FULL Presidential Range in one day. They still had 2 peaks to go. That's inspiring!
We hike down and back to our exit out, the Edmands Path.
We were exposed above treeline for more than 6 hours. Storms can roll in quickly. You always need an escape plan in case they do. This sign, which was facing those coming up the mountain, reminds you of that.
The way down was 3 miles of woods. It was a long 3 miles.
We came out to car #2, forgot to take an end of hike pic, jumped in, and drove back to car #1 at the base of the Cog Railway. From beside the lot there.
Anytime you try to hike the tallest mountain in the northeastern U.S., home of the world's worst weather, you need a little luck and help from Mother Nature. So thanks, mom!
And because this hike was so scenic, here's a few more shots to leave you with. It really was that good.
Wow!! What a day. We had 2 friends join us, once again the weather cooperated, and the views were spectacular all day. We started hiking at 7:45 am, and got down about 5:30, for a total hike time of just under 10 hours. Almost 13 miles, and 4650' of vertical gain. And 3 more peaks!
Drumroll, please......... That's 42 down, and only 6 more to go! Woo-Hoo!!
Sadly,this hike was the last one that will involve multiple peaks. The rest will all be one peak at a time due to mileage, location, and/or remoteness.
Thanks, Ted & Mike, for helping make it a great day.
And this is the first hike we've done that Thomas is officially taller than me. The man-child has arrived.
He may be carrying me these last few jaunts. ;-)
'Til next time.........................
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