Caps Ridge to Mt. Clay, Sept 2nd

[forestgnome]

What a perfect day!

mossy brook along Jefferson Notch Road....

Caps Ridge Trail gets you immediately into lush boreal forest. Here's an unidentified mushroom...

indian pipes...

british soldiers...

continiued...

 

[forestgnome]

Up over treeline, the Cornice Trail leads through the beautiful Monticello Lawn. The colors of the alpine grasses, granite and sky were like eye candy on this gorgeous day...

a exposed vein of quartz on Mt. Clay...

Looking north from Mt. Clay toward Mts. Jefferson, Adams and Madison...

This was my first time hiking b/w Sphinx Col and Mt. Clay summit. I was surprised at the amount of alpine flowers so I'll be back next spring and early summer.

cinquefoil rivals sugar maple for autumn color...

looking north from the little col b/w the two sub peaks of Mt. Clay...

A few hawks were hunting around the slopes. I didn't want to leave the alpine zone on this perfect day.
looking back at Mt. Washington in late afternoon...

I took a nap in a little nook, then reluctantly hiked back down Caps Ridge. A Barred Owl was hunting along Jefferson Notch Road.

Happy Trails

 

[HighHorse]

Beautiful photos. That owl is amazing--what a gift to see.

 

[rocket21]

Awesome photos! I've been toying with the idea of doing that hike sometime soon.

 

[Kevin Judy and Emma]

Awesome Stuff!

Any time spent above treeline is time well spent, especially on such a perfect day. Great shots as always! I discovered Mount Clay a couple of years ago when I volunteered at the Obs. I hiked over to Jefferson and back, Clay was empty except for me and the sedge. Definitely underated!

KDT