Ammo-Jewell and Backcountry Ethics

[Jim lombard]

I wouldn't normally post a trip report here about a loop which I've hiked so many times. But my descent down Jewell was a disturbing one. I'll start by saying that I did the usual Ammo up to the hut, over to Monroe, Crawford to summit of Washington and then down to Gulfside over Clay. This was another training hike and I never stopped except for a 20 minute lunch on Washington.

Thunderstorms were impending but I hate descending via Ammonusuc ravine. So after climbing Clay I descended Jewell. I remember my first time on Jewell and thought fondly of that day. You get a long exposure above treeline and on a clear day combining it with Gulfside is simply amazing. It's a rock strewn trail at first, I turned a corner and saw toilet paper flying like streamers coming out of holes in the rocks. Then the smell hit me and I realized that several somebodies had been using these rocks as a toilet.

Now I know that it's a long haul from the civilization of Mt Washington's summit to the Base station but I just don't get it. From this vantage point you can see that the trail dips into the scrub and then woods fairly quickly (1/2 hr?) from this point. Why can't people wait a little while at least to the woods?

Continuing to head down I noticed more and more toilet paper mingled in with some trash, a ritz wrapper or a shoe string. Then I passed scores of people on the way down, probably most on a little jaunt from the Base station as few had packs. Thunder was beginning to rumble and I moved downward into the woods and finding more trash along the way. I picked up what I could or felt safe to.

I might never re-visit this trail which I once loved. There is so much beauty on this loop, the clear waters of Gem pool, blooming diapensia on the upper ledges and summit cones, the sounds of a Pipit and the wind blowing through the rocks. I stood on the Gulfside in the clouds as they parted only briefly and revealed the Great Gulf and the Northern Peaks and then they fell like a curtain and hid them all once again.

I wish people would remember how much they impact these beautiful places................

 

[Jasonst]

I hear you, loud and clear. That section of the mountain, unfortunately attracts many tourists who most likely don't have the appreciation and respect for the landscape that 99% of hikers do (I say 99% because some of that TP was probably from some inconsiderate hikers). I had an encounter with that 1% a few years back while hiking the Greenleaf trail from the Cannon Mt Tram parking lot. As I was coming through eagle pass, i climbed one of the massive boulders to get a better view, and what did I find atop the boulder but some used TP and you know what else... I don't have all of the answers but we can just do our part to keep it clean.