Crawford Path to Mt. Washington, Easter Sunday

[dr_wu002]

I spent Easter Sunday hiking my favorite trail in all the White Mountains: Crawford Path. And I got to hog it, all to myself for the first 5 or so hours of hiking! A 6:30am start practically ensured that I wouldn't see anybody for a while but would you believe all the way to Mt. Monroe? On a beautiful, warm and sunny day like Sunday? Lucky me!

All I had was sunshine and peace and quiet for the first few hours -- first to Pierce then Eisenhower and Franklin. The first person I saw all day seemed to have hiked (with skis) up the North-West Buttress of Mt. Monroe. This surprised me -- I figure he must have left the Ammo somewhere and bushwhacked right up that ridge. Even more of a surprise was to see him put on his skis and drop down, right into the Dry River Wilderness. He just took off into Oak's Gulf! Later, I think I saw him hiking back up to Monroe, probably for another run. I'll tell you, I don't ski, but that run he had looked like a lot of fun!

The second person I saw all day was Yan who, when I told him I was turning around at Monroe offered to give me a ride from the Cog Parking Lot to the Crawford Path Lot if I wanted to continue on to Washington with him. I gladly accepted & now I had a hiking partner who turned out to be pretty cool -- thanks for the company and the ride, Yan!

Washington turned out to be nice and the walk down the Jewel Trail was spectacular. Views to the Northern Peaks and especially the Great Gulf were among the finest I've experienced in the mountains thus far. The views into Burt Ravine were also pretty enticing -- this area looks like it could be a fun bushwhack! What can I say though, what a great day to hike in The Whites.

Here's a few pictures from the Wu-Archives:

http://community.webshots.com/album/307274523fwrRII
http://community.webshots.com/album/307353226JIIrYj

Regards,

Dr. Wu

 

[MEB]

WOW! What a great day to be out!

-MEB

 

[dr_wu002]

WOW! What a great day to be out!

-MEB

It was the greatest day in history.

Regards,

Dr. Wu

 

[hikerfast]

I climbed also that day. my friend got the flu halfway up ammonoosuc ravine trail and we almost made the hut, but turned around when he was very unwell. unbelievable day, hardly a speck of wind. on the way up ammo trail, skiiers told us at a split there is a gully off to the right with a brook that they ski and skin up all the way to mt monroe, and then back down. they said its quite well known among backcountry ski folks.

 

[dr_wu002]

I climbed also that day. my friend got the flu halfway up ammonoosuc ravine trail and we almost made the hut, but turned around when he was very unwell. unbelievable day, hardly a speck of wind. on the way up ammo trail, skiiers told us at a split there is a gully off to the right with a brook that they ski and skin up all the way to mt monroe, and then back down. they said its quite well known among backcountry ski folks.

Wow, thanks for that Info. Yan told me that he saw tracks go off to the right somewhere on the Ammo. I saw him come out & get on the Southern Ridge at about the lawn area between the actual Franklin Summit and Little Monroe. Might be neat to check that out.

Sorry your friend got sick -- there were some spectacular views that day. Oh well, the mountain will always be there and I've had spectacular weather on Washington, like Sunday, many times so I assume you can get a good day like that again!

-Dr. Wu