BIGEarl
Well-known member
May 8, 2014: Monroe and Washington
Trails: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Trinity Connector, Gulfside Trail, Jewell Trail
Summits: Monroe, Washington
Hikers: Keith Malone and me
Early in the week the weather forecasts were predicting great conditions for the day. It seemed like all the professionals were singing the same tune. It was a too-good-to-pass-up day for a visit to Washington. The details were sorted out and set. Initially, Katie Kirby was also planning on hiking but “technical difficulties” took her out of the fun. Too bad, Katie missed a really good one. There’ll be more.
Keith and I met at the winter lot at Marshfield Station a little before 8:00am. Eventually contact was made with Katie confirming she wouldn’t be able to join us and we set off. At the start we had a mild temperature, calm wind, and a completely clear sky. The only real question we had was; would the bluebird conditions last?
The plan was to hike the loop counter-clockwise; ascend Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail and descend Jewell Trail. At the start the trail was completely clear and pretty dry. Within a short period was started into patchy ice on the trail. Within a half mile we pulled out the MICROSpikes; we had full coverage of snow and ice on the trail and needed a little traction assist. With the traction problem resolved it was time to get past Gem Pool and start the climb.
The trail above Gem Pool is generally ice covered but the surface is pretty rough and crusty in some areas. We had no trouble making our way up the steep ascent on MICROSpikes. Even the big area of ice a short distance below the crossing was no real problem. After the crossing the trail gradually moderated and by the time we reached the treeline we had very easy hiking. The snow surface was mostly Styrofoam above the treeline all the way to Washington (where it was becoming soft from the warming conditions).
At the treeline we decided to take a bee line to the summit of Monroe. This approach had us passing south of the Lakes of the Clouds (LOC) Hut. On our way by we noticed a large crew working hard on a roofing job; they had terrific working conditions and a nice view. With the Styrofoam snow conditions, the climb to the summit of Monroe was pretty easy. There were a couple areas of ice in the exposed rocks but nothing significant, and certainly nothing to cause a problem. Soon we were at the summit, getting the usual pictures, and preparing to continue to Washington.
We started our descent from Monroe following the actual trail. There is a place off the summit where the trail turns east. It’s very steep and very icy and we decided to continue on a bee line to the LOC Hut. We safely reached the hut and stopped for a short break and refreshments. With the break done we were back on the hike to Mount Washington. The snow conditions were changing as we hiked along. The south-facing slope was taking a direct hit from the sun. The surface was becoming soft but with a little care we could generally stay on top of it. In some places there was a very thin covering of snow and ice on the rocks but in other areas the snow was deep; more of a problem in areas between large rocks.
We slowly made our way along Crawford Path passed Tuckerman Crossover, Davis Path, Westside Trail, and Gulfside Trail junctions stopping occasionally to enjoy the views, get some pictures, etc. Eventually we were on the final pitch to the summit. The final .2 had the greatest risk of dropping in between a couple large rocks but if you watch foot placement it isn’t a real problem.
We arrived to the summit area at the same time a couple others were arriving from the east. There was a lot of activity at the summit. The Cog is building a new double siding at the top to allow multiple Cogs to be there simultaneously. Previously, it was a one-at-a-time operation.
We got the pictures, hung around the summit for a short time and soon started our exit hike. We set off on Trinity Connector to Gulfside. Again, we needed to be careful of foot placement but made it to Gulfside with no mishaps along the way. Gulfside got us across the Cog tracks and we stayed close to the tracks for the initial part of the descent. A short distance above Westside Trail junction we made the turn, headed for the junction, and set off for Jewell Trail.
Soon we were standing at the top of Jewell Trail preparing for the final exposed hiking for the day. I had read recent reports concerning sloppy conditions on Jewell Trail above the treeline. Right now, hiking Jewell Trail requires waterproof boots and a good sense of humor. That’s a sloppy trail (slush on top – above the treeline, mud on the bottom – down toward Marshfield Station, and a running stream in-between). It’s all downhill which only means you’re not fighting against the current.
We patiently made our way through the springtime conditions and eventually were making the final crossing at Marshfield Station; taking time to wash our boots and gaiters on the way. We climbed across the two sets of tracks and completed the short walk to the winter lot.
Even with the messy conditions on Jewell Trail we enjoyed an outstanding day hiking Monroe and Washington. Thanks Keith for the great company along the way. Already I’m looking forward to our next one.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
Trails: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Trinity Connector, Gulfside Trail, Jewell Trail
Summits: Monroe, Washington
Hikers: Keith Malone and me
Early in the week the weather forecasts were predicting great conditions for the day. It seemed like all the professionals were singing the same tune. It was a too-good-to-pass-up day for a visit to Washington. The details were sorted out and set. Initially, Katie Kirby was also planning on hiking but “technical difficulties” took her out of the fun. Too bad, Katie missed a really good one. There’ll be more.
Keith and I met at the winter lot at Marshfield Station a little before 8:00am. Eventually contact was made with Katie confirming she wouldn’t be able to join us and we set off. At the start we had a mild temperature, calm wind, and a completely clear sky. The only real question we had was; would the bluebird conditions last?
The plan was to hike the loop counter-clockwise; ascend Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail and descend Jewell Trail. At the start the trail was completely clear and pretty dry. Within a short period was started into patchy ice on the trail. Within a half mile we pulled out the MICROSpikes; we had full coverage of snow and ice on the trail and needed a little traction assist. With the traction problem resolved it was time to get past Gem Pool and start the climb.
The trail above Gem Pool is generally ice covered but the surface is pretty rough and crusty in some areas. We had no trouble making our way up the steep ascent on MICROSpikes. Even the big area of ice a short distance below the crossing was no real problem. After the crossing the trail gradually moderated and by the time we reached the treeline we had very easy hiking. The snow surface was mostly Styrofoam above the treeline all the way to Washington (where it was becoming soft from the warming conditions).
At the treeline we decided to take a bee line to the summit of Monroe. This approach had us passing south of the Lakes of the Clouds (LOC) Hut. On our way by we noticed a large crew working hard on a roofing job; they had terrific working conditions and a nice view. With the Styrofoam snow conditions, the climb to the summit of Monroe was pretty easy. There were a couple areas of ice in the exposed rocks but nothing significant, and certainly nothing to cause a problem. Soon we were at the summit, getting the usual pictures, and preparing to continue to Washington.
We started our descent from Monroe following the actual trail. There is a place off the summit where the trail turns east. It’s very steep and very icy and we decided to continue on a bee line to the LOC Hut. We safely reached the hut and stopped for a short break and refreshments. With the break done we were back on the hike to Mount Washington. The snow conditions were changing as we hiked along. The south-facing slope was taking a direct hit from the sun. The surface was becoming soft but with a little care we could generally stay on top of it. In some places there was a very thin covering of snow and ice on the rocks but in other areas the snow was deep; more of a problem in areas between large rocks.
We slowly made our way along Crawford Path passed Tuckerman Crossover, Davis Path, Westside Trail, and Gulfside Trail junctions stopping occasionally to enjoy the views, get some pictures, etc. Eventually we were on the final pitch to the summit. The final .2 had the greatest risk of dropping in between a couple large rocks but if you watch foot placement it isn’t a real problem.
We arrived to the summit area at the same time a couple others were arriving from the east. There was a lot of activity at the summit. The Cog is building a new double siding at the top to allow multiple Cogs to be there simultaneously. Previously, it was a one-at-a-time operation.
We got the pictures, hung around the summit for a short time and soon started our exit hike. We set off on Trinity Connector to Gulfside. Again, we needed to be careful of foot placement but made it to Gulfside with no mishaps along the way. Gulfside got us across the Cog tracks and we stayed close to the tracks for the initial part of the descent. A short distance above Westside Trail junction we made the turn, headed for the junction, and set off for Jewell Trail.
Soon we were standing at the top of Jewell Trail preparing for the final exposed hiking for the day. I had read recent reports concerning sloppy conditions on Jewell Trail above the treeline. Right now, hiking Jewell Trail requires waterproof boots and a good sense of humor. That’s a sloppy trail (slush on top – above the treeline, mud on the bottom – down toward Marshfield Station, and a running stream in-between). It’s all downhill which only means you’re not fighting against the current.
We patiently made our way through the springtime conditions and eventually were making the final crossing at Marshfield Station; taking time to wash our boots and gaiters on the way. We climbed across the two sets of tracks and completed the short walk to the winter lot.
Even with the messy conditions on Jewell Trail we enjoyed an outstanding day hiking Monroe and Washington. Thanks Keith for the great company along the way. Already I’m looking forward to our next one.
I’ve posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Straight to the slideshow
