NH Tramper
Member
The 14th through the 16th of this month I hiked a relaxing (mostly) Presidential traverse/mini-vacation above the trees, even staying at a couple of the AMC huts -- a new but fun experience for me. This was an uphill south to north traverse beginning on Mt. Pierce. I skipped Jackson because I had done it a couple of months ago as part of a Crawford Notch circumnavigation. Originally my hike was to start and end at the PNVC, and it was to include Mt. Isolation. Since I did Mt. Isolation as a separate hike a few weeks ago, starting on the Crawford Path to Pierce made the most sense. Here's how it went down:
Day One:
I started at the Appalachia parking area and caught the noon Shuttle. I arrived at the Highland Center at 1:05 PM and hit the trail immediately. My goal for that day was to ascend and bag Mt. Pierce, then hike to the Lake of the Clouds hut bagging Mts. Eisenhower and Monroe along the way. Knowing my pace and how I hike I figured I'd get to the hut around five. I did. I asked the fellow when I got there what time it was: 'twas five on the dot. I made myself at home until dinner at six. What happens in the AMC huts at meal time? Well if you haven't been I won't spoil the surprise but will say it's fun. Reminded me of my days working with the YCC at the York Pond Fish Hatchery. Good energy.
Near Mt. Pierce summit looking north showing Ike, Franklin, Monroe, and Washington.
Mt. Eisenhower summit, moving north. View of what's to come in the distance.
Approaching Mt. Monroe. Nice up here.
Made it to the hut. Yes!
Miles of mountains in the setting sun.
Wow, almost like being on another planet. Welcome to Mars.
Day one was a beautiful day. Lots of sun and gorgeous views until near sunset when the fog and clouds started rolling in, as expected (but it made those late day views interesting). Day One was expected to be my best day weather-wise. I might have put it off, but I had reservations and wasn't going to lose that money.
Day Two:
Day two was to be a simple stroll over Mts. Washington (my ninth on-foot ascent of this peak), Clay, Jefferson, and at least the main Adams peak (my fifth ascent of this one). A quick look out the window confirmed the weather reports were right and that it was going to be a foggy, possibly drizzly day. After a hearty hut breakfast I started on my way.
First there was Mt. Washington in the fog (I skipped Clay since there were no views, but I'll bag it another time). After bagging Mt. Washington it started raining so I put on my rain gear. It didn't last long so I was able to strip back down quickly. It's cool up there in the fog so I really didn't mind. It's otherworldly. There were no summit crowds or line to the sign which was nice. To top things off, I was trackside when the Cog RR slipped into view. Neat.
Where is everybody? Elsewhere, nice!
A Cog in the Fog.
Moving along I aimed my boots towards Mt. Jefferson taking its loop. Then the notorious Edmand's Col. Followed by the rocky summit of Mt. Adams. In this section I started seeing hints of sun trying to burn away clouds, even showing blue sky patches at times. For the time being (until I was 0.3 from Madison Spring Hut), I had no precipitation. Thankfully. Wet rocks would slow me down a bit.
Like a minefield of rocks. Taken at the junction near Jefferson's summit.
Descending into Edmand's Col. No easy escape, hope the weather cooperates.
Wildlife in the Col -- this vibrant nute sighting was unexpected.
Mt. Adams coming up, long one of my favorite peaks (I'll be doing Flags on the 48 here).
Continued...
Day One:
I started at the Appalachia parking area and caught the noon Shuttle. I arrived at the Highland Center at 1:05 PM and hit the trail immediately. My goal for that day was to ascend and bag Mt. Pierce, then hike to the Lake of the Clouds hut bagging Mts. Eisenhower and Monroe along the way. Knowing my pace and how I hike I figured I'd get to the hut around five. I did. I asked the fellow when I got there what time it was: 'twas five on the dot. I made myself at home until dinner at six. What happens in the AMC huts at meal time? Well if you haven't been I won't spoil the surprise but will say it's fun. Reminded me of my days working with the YCC at the York Pond Fish Hatchery. Good energy.
Near Mt. Pierce summit looking north showing Ike, Franklin, Monroe, and Washington.
Mt. Eisenhower summit, moving north. View of what's to come in the distance.
Approaching Mt. Monroe. Nice up here.
Made it to the hut. Yes!
Miles of mountains in the setting sun.
Wow, almost like being on another planet. Welcome to Mars.
Day one was a beautiful day. Lots of sun and gorgeous views until near sunset when the fog and clouds started rolling in, as expected (but it made those late day views interesting). Day One was expected to be my best day weather-wise. I might have put it off, but I had reservations and wasn't going to lose that money.
Day Two:
Day two was to be a simple stroll over Mts. Washington (my ninth on-foot ascent of this peak), Clay, Jefferson, and at least the main Adams peak (my fifth ascent of this one). A quick look out the window confirmed the weather reports were right and that it was going to be a foggy, possibly drizzly day. After a hearty hut breakfast I started on my way.
First there was Mt. Washington in the fog (I skipped Clay since there were no views, but I'll bag it another time). After bagging Mt. Washington it started raining so I put on my rain gear. It didn't last long so I was able to strip back down quickly. It's cool up there in the fog so I really didn't mind. It's otherworldly. There were no summit crowds or line to the sign which was nice. To top things off, I was trackside when the Cog RR slipped into view. Neat.
Where is everybody? Elsewhere, nice!
A Cog in the Fog.
Moving along I aimed my boots towards Mt. Jefferson taking its loop. Then the notorious Edmand's Col. Followed by the rocky summit of Mt. Adams. In this section I started seeing hints of sun trying to burn away clouds, even showing blue sky patches at times. For the time being (until I was 0.3 from Madison Spring Hut), I had no precipitation. Thankfully. Wet rocks would slow me down a bit.
Like a minefield of rocks. Taken at the junction near Jefferson's summit.
Descending into Edmand's Col. No easy escape, hope the weather cooperates.
Wildlife in the Col -- this vibrant nute sighting was unexpected.
Mt. Adams coming up, long one of my favorite peaks (I'll be doing Flags on the 48 here).
Continued...
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