Boot Spur / Lions Head?

[shamples]

I have hiked Washington each summer the past 4 years. Years 1 and 3 we did Tuckermans up and down while years 2 & 4 we went the other side up Ammo down Jewell. Next year I am looking at changing things up to gain some different perspectives on the mountain.

I have been looking at doing Huntington for a while now, but I hike with my 68 year old father-in-law who doesn't care for that much exposure, so I'm going to have to wait on that route and bag that on my own. But I have been thinking about both Boot Spur and Lions Head. How are these in relation to Tuckermans and Ammo. The Ammo is one of my favorite trails in the Whites. Also wondering if either Boot Spur or Lions Head is better up or down or doesn't matter. My original thinking was to ascend Boot Spur, peak Washington and then descend by Lions Head. There's nothing wrong with that loop, is there?

 

[SteveHiker]

I've done that loop, plus threw in a side trip to Monroe too.

Boott Spur is longer than Tuckerman's, you get above the trees sooner and you get off the rocky road part a lot sooner. The summit cone is easier to climb from that side too.

Lion's Head is a good way to go down and it goes near the Alpine Garden, which I've been meaning to go to.

Each way is interesting and has different things to look at.

 

[arghman]

I haven't done the bit from Boott Spur to Washington, but I found Boott Spur to be one of my favorite hikes. I did a loop w/ Glen Boulder, see trip report.

Boott Spur, when compared to Ammo (IMHO): far less crowds, no hut, more exposure to weather, no water, footing easier, varied steepness (above treeline it alternates between terraces & steep parts), nicer views.

I would have no problem going downhill (as far as I can remember ) either Boott Spur or Lion's Head, but I'd probably do the direction you described, as it would be quicker to get below treeline.

(SteveHiker: you beat me to it! drat! we've got to get you to the Alpine Garden sometime... it tends to be slightly overrated unless you care about the plants more than the flowers)

 

[TMax]

I've been up and down both these trails (often!). My suggestion would be to ascend Lion Head and descend Boot Spur. Here's my logic... Lion Head is steeper and "trickier" than Boot Spur, requiring far more attention to your footing but there are great spots along the way to catch your breath and take in the views. From the summit of Washington, you can take Tucks down to the Junction and then to the Lawn Cutoff to Davis Path and over to Boot Spur. Sitting on top of the spur is a wonderful break point where you can watch the throngs of people back on Tucks! It's an easier descent, especially at the end of the day. Very near the bottom, there's one spot where you have to get down a ledge, but there are lots of foot and hand holds to help. I think Lion Head is more difficult than Tucks, Boot Spur easier and both are more difficult than Ammo or Jewell. Antway you choose, I'm sure you'll love!

 

[king tut]

A few weeks ago I ascended lions head from hermit lake at 6 a.m. It was steep at the start but not too bad. I imagine the views would have been good but we were fogged in. I descended this trail 2 years ago, and remember it being a little rough on the descent. I descended boot spur back 15 years ago or so, and i don't recall it being that bad, probably better than lions head for descent. Tuck's is my favorite for ascent, the headwall and waterfall are beautiful.

 

[hogabum]

Boot Spur

I have been up Boot Spur as well as the other routes. I enjoyed Boot Spur as it is less crowded and gives one a different perspective of the whole area.

Coming down Lion's Head is probably the easiest. Coming down Tucks does a number on your knees.

Have fun.

 

[arghman]

Tuck's is my favorite for ascent, the headwall and waterfall are beautiful.

Ditto. If you've decided to head down Boott Spur, to go uphill I'd pick Tuckerman Ravine (at least, the part past Hermit Lake) every time over Lions Head. (Plus the Lions Head botany is nowhere near as interesting as Tuck's. ) Downhill I'd probably pick Lions Head over Tuckerman, if only because I don't like descending steep areas.

I've descended Lions Head Trail twice, it does have some nice views when you are at the upper part looking out over Tuckerman Ravine, but other than that, you're in kind of a sheltered cliffy area without many views.

 

[shamples]

Having done Tuckermans twice in the past 3 years, I would have to agree that above Hermit Lakes Shelter is a very enjoyable hike. But with all the other trail options up Washington, I wanted to try some different ones just to change things up a bit. That is the main reason for me asking about Boot and Lion. I realize going up Boot is a bit longer, but that's OK as it has sounded real nice with the less crowds and different perspective. It seems that going up Boot and down Lions should make for a nice day loop. Thanks for all the helpful info, much appreciated.

 

[SherpaKroto]

Boott Spur is a great trail. The loop that you describe has it's merits in either direction. If you ascend Boott Spur, you get to see it all ahead of you. It you ascend Lion's Head, you get the steeper sections done early. Two of my favorite trails in the Presis - you can't help but have fun up there!
SK

 

[Rols]

Lion's Head and Boot Spur are both great trails. Of the two I probably enjoy Boot Spur more. It does not really matter which way you do the loop. Boot Spur is probably an easier down climb (it is also less traveled). I agree with the suggestion to go up Lion's Head and down Boot Spur (you will meet less people)

 

[--M.]

The Boott Spur approach has a lot of "false summits" and loose rocks (each about the size of an end table) that can be a little discouraging for the, um, unprepared, which you seem not to be.

But the real thing I notice is the repeated Washington trips. I realized last year, upon seeing the beautiful Wild River for the first time, that I had been focusing too much on the familiar and not finding exciting new ground. This summer, I finally made my Franconia to Madison hike, including skirting the Washington cone. I lost count of the number of times up that hill at around eleven. I think I've seen enough of Washington, at least until I see the other 47 all the way through.

That said, Boott Spur as an uphill is dramatic, beautiful and LONG! It's almost like seeing how much ice cream you can eat. Unforgettable.

Best,

--M.

 

[shamples]

But the real thing I notice is the repeated Washington trips. I realized last year, upon seeing the beautiful Wild River for the first time, that I had been focusing too much on the familiar and not finding exciting new ground. This summer, I finally made my Franconia to Madison hike, including skirting the Washington cone. I lost count of the number of times up that hill at around eleven. I think I've seen enough of Washington, at least until I see the other 47 all the way through.

Believe me, if it were totally up to me, I wouldn't be doing Washington once a year. I get the same way with too familiar and want to go hit new trails and peaks, but my dad-in-law likes to test his body each year on that. He gets much satisfaction completing Washington every year. So I do it to give him some company. But that's why I ask of new ways off getting up there, so the familiar can change a bit with different routes up and down. Makes me look more forward to doing Washginton next time now.

 

[--M.]

Yeah, I know.

But you're right about one thing: there are a lot of ways up & around that hill, and it fits nicely into the paradigm (referenced on some earlier thread) of being interesting enough to take to a desert island as your "one" thing.

Fer instance, I was there this year (for, I guess, the 11th or 12th time) and still haven't seen the Alpine Garden up close. A good spot will really do that for you.

--M.

 

[arghman]

I think I've seen enough of Washington, at least until I see the other 47 all the way through.

:amused: My "Washington" trips this year excluded the summit; one to Boott Spur / Glen Boulder, another to Nelson Crag / Alpine Garden, and another to Tuckerman Ravine and Alpine Garden. (+ a 4th one to Alpine Garden via the Auto Road which I don't count since I drove up w/ a group.) These were among the highlights of this year for me, and I'd go back to any of them. I've been to the summit once & will only go back to redline the AT between Washington and Clay, or maybe to look for some particular flora rumored to be at/near the summit.