Dugan
New member
Tucks to Huntington Ravine Trail to Nelson Crag to Gulfside to Buttress to Six Husbands to Great Gulf to Madison Gulf to Old Jackson Road Peaks: Washington, Clay, Jefferson, Adams
Met NH_Mtn_Hkr in southern NH, then carpooled up to Pinham Notch Visitor Center. We'd agreed to summit Washington via Huntington, which I've wanted to do for... oh 20 years or so, and negotiate on a return route along the way. He brought excellent entertainment for the car - a 1955 WMG that'd he'd purchased just a few days earlier. I was even allowed to read it. On the way up, he slowed down for a deer that wanted to race. Luckily, the deer decided to hop into and cross the road behind us. We also saw two moose.
We got to PNVC, geared up, and off we went. We made the best mileage of the day up Tucks. We turned up Huntington and eventually missed a turn and joined two men taking a sunny break on a bridge across the old fire road. One of them gave me an alcohol wipe that, with much scrubbing, removed tree sap I'd gotten on the palm of my hand. We snacked, I sunblocked, thus fortified, off we went. We got to the first of the big boulders where we met two rock climbers debating their route for the day. They recommended that where HRT emerges onto the boulder field, to follow the boulder field rather than the trail. After some interesting over/under the large boulders, we did just that. The boulder field was fun, lots of views, lots of spiders. We rejoined HRT just below where the trail gets interesting, where we met the men who gave me the alcohol wipe.
We let them go ahead. I'd warned NH that I'd move slowly on the slabs. As I thought, some of the slabs bothered me a little. I'd stand at the bottom, take a few false starts, count to 3, then go anyway. Now I know how Dugan four-legs feels as he learns to scramble. The trail was the hardest I've done (so far) in the Whites - challenging, scrambly, and lots of hand use, but I think that overall it is not as bad as the WMG states. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. The views and exposure are very good.
As we ascended, we could see clouds racing over the top of the ridge so we knew it'd be windy up there. The wind felt good for a few minutes, then we both stopped to layer up. We got to Washington, fought the crowds to tag the summit, stuck our heads in the Tip Top House, then headed in for lunch. The summit building was crowded. Finding a couple chairs was more challenging than HRT! Thus settled, we ate our lunches while debating various return routes. In our original negotiations, I'd pushed for going to Madison, but we'd also discussed many other routes, like over to Monroe and down Boott Spur. It was a beautiful, windy day above tree line, seemed a shame not to see the Northern Presis. Silly me, though it was 1:30 when we left, I still had hopes of being out before dark. We geared up again, and headed back out via Gulf Side.
We made great time rock hopping down Washington. We took the optional loops over Clay and Jefferson - what's one more peak?! - stopped for more snacks before Adams, then hopped boulders down Adams to Madison Hut. We got there as they were getting ready for dinner, collapsed on the stone steps in front of the bunk room, and ate more snacks. We discussed whether to take Osgood over Madison, or to head out via Buttress. You could tell it was Saturday evening, because the Croo (except Santa) were in evening gowns. After all, it's important to dress properly for formal occasions. As we left the hut at 5:30, I still held out slim hope of being out before dark.
We went by Star Lake and found the Buttress Trail. I think the WMG is somewhat deceiving on this trail. The overall grade might be moderate, but there were some very steep portions. It also crosses two boulder fields which required some care to negotiate. We got to Six Husbands, and here the hike begins to blur for me.
I know we made a few stops, one for NH to borrow my spare knee brace, another for headlamps, and at least two because I was feeling tired. I don't know when we finally made it back to the car. I remember heading into PNVC to change and clean up, then immediately collapsing into sleep in NH's car. We stopped at a Cumberland Farms for food, then I slept most of the way back to my car. Even with all the sleep, I still had a tough time on the rest of my drive home, but finally made it. Walked in the door at 4am, 24 hours after heading out. I greeted Dugan four-legs, brushed my teeth, and slept 'til almost noon. A great hike!
Edit: NH - beyond "lots", what was our mileage and elevation?
Met NH_Mtn_Hkr in southern NH, then carpooled up to Pinham Notch Visitor Center. We'd agreed to summit Washington via Huntington, which I've wanted to do for... oh 20 years or so, and negotiate on a return route along the way. He brought excellent entertainment for the car - a 1955 WMG that'd he'd purchased just a few days earlier. I was even allowed to read it. On the way up, he slowed down for a deer that wanted to race. Luckily, the deer decided to hop into and cross the road behind us. We also saw two moose.
We got to PNVC, geared up, and off we went. We made the best mileage of the day up Tucks. We turned up Huntington and eventually missed a turn and joined two men taking a sunny break on a bridge across the old fire road. One of them gave me an alcohol wipe that, with much scrubbing, removed tree sap I'd gotten on the palm of my hand. We snacked, I sunblocked, thus fortified, off we went. We got to the first of the big boulders where we met two rock climbers debating their route for the day. They recommended that where HRT emerges onto the boulder field, to follow the boulder field rather than the trail. After some interesting over/under the large boulders, we did just that. The boulder field was fun, lots of views, lots of spiders. We rejoined HRT just below where the trail gets interesting, where we met the men who gave me the alcohol wipe.
We let them go ahead. I'd warned NH that I'd move slowly on the slabs. As I thought, some of the slabs bothered me a little. I'd stand at the bottom, take a few false starts, count to 3, then go anyway. Now I know how Dugan four-legs feels as he learns to scramble. The trail was the hardest I've done (so far) in the Whites - challenging, scrambly, and lots of hand use, but I think that overall it is not as bad as the WMG states. I wouldn't hesitate to do it again. The views and exposure are very good.
As we ascended, we could see clouds racing over the top of the ridge so we knew it'd be windy up there. The wind felt good for a few minutes, then we both stopped to layer up. We got to Washington, fought the crowds to tag the summit, stuck our heads in the Tip Top House, then headed in for lunch. The summit building was crowded. Finding a couple chairs was more challenging than HRT! Thus settled, we ate our lunches while debating various return routes. In our original negotiations, I'd pushed for going to Madison, but we'd also discussed many other routes, like over to Monroe and down Boott Spur. It was a beautiful, windy day above tree line, seemed a shame not to see the Northern Presis. Silly me, though it was 1:30 when we left, I still had hopes of being out before dark. We geared up again, and headed back out via Gulf Side.
We made great time rock hopping down Washington. We took the optional loops over Clay and Jefferson - what's one more peak?! - stopped for more snacks before Adams, then hopped boulders down Adams to Madison Hut. We got there as they were getting ready for dinner, collapsed on the stone steps in front of the bunk room, and ate more snacks. We discussed whether to take Osgood over Madison, or to head out via Buttress. You could tell it was Saturday evening, because the Croo (except Santa) were in evening gowns. After all, it's important to dress properly for formal occasions. As we left the hut at 5:30, I still held out slim hope of being out before dark.
We went by Star Lake and found the Buttress Trail. I think the WMG is somewhat deceiving on this trail. The overall grade might be moderate, but there were some very steep portions. It also crosses two boulder fields which required some care to negotiate. We got to Six Husbands, and here the hike begins to blur for me.
I know we made a few stops, one for NH to borrow my spare knee brace, another for headlamps, and at least two because I was feeling tired. I don't know when we finally made it back to the car. I remember heading into PNVC to change and clean up, then immediately collapsing into sleep in NH's car. We stopped at a Cumberland Farms for food, then I slept most of the way back to my car. Even with all the sleep, I still had a tough time on the rest of my drive home, but finally made it. Walked in the door at 4am, 24 hours after heading out. I greeted Dugan four-legs, brushed my teeth, and slept 'til almost noon. A great hike!
Edit: NH - beyond "lots", what was our mileage and elevation?
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Nice report!
