For the past month, I've been watching the MWO weather carefully,
waiting for one of those days where the skies are clear and the wind
is light. Yesterday was one of those days. Even if NewHampshire and
Sapblatt pooled their money, they couldn't buy a cloud--there simply
weren't any. I took the day off from work, burning my one accumulated
vacation day, and it was worth it. The summit temps topped out about
56 degrees, and the winds were in the high teens, gusting to
mid-twenties, with 90 miles of visibility.
I knew the day would be a good one -- I checked and noticed the
Yankees had lost the night before. On route three in Twin Mountain, I
could see all the high peaks. And, while going up Base Road, A bear
walked across the road in front of the car (and disappeared before I
could take out my camera. I took the Ammonoosuc Ravine to Lake of the
Clouds, Crawford Path and Monroe Loop to Monroe, Crawford Path to
Washington, Gulfside and Clay Loop over Clay, Gulfside and Jewell back
to the car. There was one other car in the lot and it was of a camper.
I started up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail about 7 am, stopping on
occasion to admire the foliage and the cascades on the Ammonoosuc.
Along the way I met a couple from Pennsylvania hiking with their
Border Collie (a very well-behaved dog.) We chatted here and there as
we played leapfrog. If you like waterfalls, this is a nice trail and
I took lots of pictures.
By 8:15 I had reached Gem Pool (left) where I stopped for a snack and
more pictures. The trail to this point had been fairly gentle, but I
knew that was about to change. After crossing below the pool, the
trail angles up the headwall of the ravine. Stone staircases abound
for the next mile plus, and there was even a short ladder. Along the
way, there is a detour to the gorge where Monroe Brook falls over 100
feet (middle). There wasn't a lot of water, but it was still quite
spectacular. A few more minutes of climbing and the trail crosses the
top of the falls (right).
The sun had risen at this point, and was shining right into my eyes as
I scrambled over the ledges and up to the Lake of the Clouds (no
resemblance to Lake of the Crowds today -- I was the only one there.)
I dropped my pack, took the camera, windbreaker, and a water bottle
and headed up Monroe at 9:30, which again I had to myself. I only
spent about 15 minutes up there, although it was just beautiful and I
could have spent much longer. Little Monroe looked close enough to
touch but I didn't trek over there. I enjoyed the view of Eisenhower,
which I had climbed in August, and at that time marvelled at the view
of Monroe and Washington. Monroe was 24 of 48 for me. Halftime!!
Now that halftime was over, it was time to open the second half with a
big play, and no play is bigger than Washington. I took my time on
the way over Crawford Path, enjoying the foliage down in the Pemi,
looking back at Monroe, and watching the towers on Washington grow
bigger, albeit ever so slowly. Except for Franonia Ridge, this was my
first major trip above treeline where cairns were the primary
indicator of the trail. I remember reading how the cairns which mark
the AT have white (quartz) rocks on top, and I could see a line of
white-tops all the way up The Rockpile. My anticipation and
excitement grew with every step. I heard my kids asking "Are we there
yet?" in my mind
Around 11:00 I arrived at on top. It was mobbed, mostly with retired
couples as it was a school day for most. Three cog trains were
shuttling folks up with the efficiency of a high-speed detachable quad
chair. I took pictures for some of them, and they returned the favor.
(continued)
waiting for one of those days where the skies are clear and the wind
is light. Yesterday was one of those days. Even if NewHampshire and
Sapblatt pooled their money, they couldn't buy a cloud--there simply
weren't any. I took the day off from work, burning my one accumulated
vacation day, and it was worth it. The summit temps topped out about
56 degrees, and the winds were in the high teens, gusting to
mid-twenties, with 90 miles of visibility.
I knew the day would be a good one -- I checked and noticed the
Yankees had lost the night before. On route three in Twin Mountain, I
could see all the high peaks. And, while going up Base Road, A bear
walked across the road in front of the car (and disappeared before I
could take out my camera. I took the Ammonoosuc Ravine to Lake of the
Clouds, Crawford Path and Monroe Loop to Monroe, Crawford Path to
Washington, Gulfside and Clay Loop over Clay, Gulfside and Jewell back
to the car. There was one other car in the lot and it was of a camper.
I started up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail about 7 am, stopping on
occasion to admire the foliage and the cascades on the Ammonoosuc.
Along the way I met a couple from Pennsylvania hiking with their
Border Collie (a very well-behaved dog.) We chatted here and there as
we played leapfrog. If you like waterfalls, this is a nice trail and
I took lots of pictures.
By 8:15 I had reached Gem Pool (left) where I stopped for a snack and
more pictures. The trail to this point had been fairly gentle, but I
knew that was about to change. After crossing below the pool, the
trail angles up the headwall of the ravine. Stone staircases abound
for the next mile plus, and there was even a short ladder. Along the
way, there is a detour to the gorge where Monroe Brook falls over 100
feet (middle). There wasn't a lot of water, but it was still quite
spectacular. A few more minutes of climbing and the trail crosses the
top of the falls (right).
The sun had risen at this point, and was shining right into my eyes as
I scrambled over the ledges and up to the Lake of the Clouds (no
resemblance to Lake of the Crowds today -- I was the only one there.)
I dropped my pack, took the camera, windbreaker, and a water bottle
and headed up Monroe at 9:30, which again I had to myself. I only
spent about 15 minutes up there, although it was just beautiful and I
could have spent much longer. Little Monroe looked close enough to
touch but I didn't trek over there. I enjoyed the view of Eisenhower,
which I had climbed in August, and at that time marvelled at the view
of Monroe and Washington. Monroe was 24 of 48 for me. Halftime!!
Now that halftime was over, it was time to open the second half with a
big play, and no play is bigger than Washington. I took my time on
the way over Crawford Path, enjoying the foliage down in the Pemi,
looking back at Monroe, and watching the towers on Washington grow
bigger, albeit ever so slowly. Except for Franonia Ridge, this was my
first major trip above treeline where cairns were the primary
indicator of the trail. I remember reading how the cairns which mark
the AT have white (quartz) rocks on top, and I could see a line of
white-tops all the way up The Rockpile. My anticipation and
excitement grew with every step. I heard my kids asking "Are we there
yet?" in my mind
Around 11:00 I arrived at on top. It was mobbed, mostly with retired
couples as it was a school day for most. Three cog trains were
shuttling folks up with the efficiency of a high-speed detachable quad
chair. I took pictures for some of them, and they returned the favor.
(continued)
