BIGEarl
Well-known member
April 27, 2013: Washington, Jefferson
Trails: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Trinity Connector, Gulfside Trail, Jefferson Loop, Jewell Trail
Summits: Washington, Jefferson
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
The weather experts were calling this one from quite a distance. A week prior the forecast was generally set and there were only some minor adjustments along the way. In the end, the actual conditions were better than the predicted conditions. Nice!
The trailhead lot for Ammonoosuc Ravine and Jewell trails is still gated from the winter closure and we parked at the lower “hiker” lot at Marshfield Station. When we arrived there was one other person preparing for his day, which included late season skiing. Sue and I took care of our final prep and set off. The plan was to ascend via Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail and descend via Jewell Trail.
Within a few yards of starting up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail we stopped to pull out our MICROSpikes. The trail surface was solid and very icy, we needed some traction. With the traction problem taken care of we were able to move at a good pace. We started our hike later than planned but were able to make-up the lost time on the way to Gem Pool. As I said, we were able to move at a good pace.
From Gem Pool to the ridge near LOC Hut is a very steep climb and we didn’t know if the MICROSpikes would be adequate or if we would need to change to our crampons. The MICROSpikes were working very well and we stayed with them. The trail surface had a nice crusty texture to it that gave the MICROSpikes terrific grip. They did the job without any problems at all. A short distance before reaching the crossing above Gem Pool we were passed by Steve Moore and Bill Cronin. At the crossing above Gem Pool, Sue decided the bushwhack below the actual crossing location looked pretty good and we took that approach. With established foot placements in the snow and plenty of handholds it worked out very well. We had an easy time of getting on to the trail above the crossing.
Soon the trees started to get smaller and we were approaching the treeline. Along the way to the ridge there are a few openings in the final sections of trees that provide nice views to Washington and surrounding areas. As we approached the treeline the sun was strong and warm, and the snow was soft and sticky. It was time for a snowman. This time around Sue found a shady place for the happy little guy hoping a break from the sun might keep him around for a while. With the snowman finished we continued our climb to LOC Hut.
At the hut we made the turn north onto Crawford Path and headed for the summit of Washington. We were enjoying very unusual conditions; warm, unlimited sun with a few clouds floating around, and no wind. The forecast predicted increasing cloud cover later in the day but for now we were enjoying a real treat. Between the LOC Hut and summit of Mount Washington, there were many areas of ice and areas of bare ground. We were changing in and out of MICROSpikes to accommodate the conditions. From a short distance before the junction with Davis Path to the summit we were able to bare boot the climb.
We reached the summit to find quite a few people wandering around. It was the first day of 2013 operations for the Cog and these folks were the first group to the summit. We hung around long enough to get a few summit pictures and took off. Our next target was Mount Jefferson.
We descended from Washington via Gulfside. There were a couple areas of concern but generally the trail is clear with secure footing all of the way down to the junction with West Side Trail. By the time we reached this trail junction we were no longer anywhere near the rim of Great Gulf. We stayed with Gulfside all the way to Jefferson Loop. Along the way we crossed a few snowfields that were soft and provided secure footing; bare booting wasn’t a concern.
We reached the south junction of Jefferson Loop and Gulfside, made the turn, and headed for the summit. From the junction to the summit is generally bare ground. We’re still working with generally clear, sunny, warm, and calm conditions. We reached the summit and found a place to sit with a nice view. (on a clear day, nice views are pretty easy to find on Jefferson). As we sat there enjoying the day, people that were there when we arrived took off and others arrived. Eventually it was out turn to head out. We grabbed our things and started our exit hike.
We reversed our route back to the junction of Jewell and Gulfside, roughly 1.8 miles south of the summit of Jefferson. From there it’s a straight walk down Jewell to the truck; roughly 3.7 miles of downhill (that’s 3.7 miles of MICROSpikes on and off, over and over). It was an easy walk with no postholes along the way,. We found a couple sections of monorail at the lower elevations that will last for a while. Otherwise, the descent was very pleasant. Late afternoon and roughly on-plan we stepped into the area of Marshfield Station. Once we walked to the truck it didn’t take long to pack and head out after a terrific day above the treeline.
Pictures will follow.
Trails: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Crawford Path, Trinity Connector, Gulfside Trail, Jefferson Loop, Jewell Trail
Summits: Washington, Jefferson
Hikers: Trail Trotter (Sue) and me
The weather experts were calling this one from quite a distance. A week prior the forecast was generally set and there were only some minor adjustments along the way. In the end, the actual conditions were better than the predicted conditions. Nice!
The trailhead lot for Ammonoosuc Ravine and Jewell trails is still gated from the winter closure and we parked at the lower “hiker” lot at Marshfield Station. When we arrived there was one other person preparing for his day, which included late season skiing. Sue and I took care of our final prep and set off. The plan was to ascend via Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail and descend via Jewell Trail.
Within a few yards of starting up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail we stopped to pull out our MICROSpikes. The trail surface was solid and very icy, we needed some traction. With the traction problem taken care of we were able to move at a good pace. We started our hike later than planned but were able to make-up the lost time on the way to Gem Pool. As I said, we were able to move at a good pace.
From Gem Pool to the ridge near LOC Hut is a very steep climb and we didn’t know if the MICROSpikes would be adequate or if we would need to change to our crampons. The MICROSpikes were working very well and we stayed with them. The trail surface had a nice crusty texture to it that gave the MICROSpikes terrific grip. They did the job without any problems at all. A short distance before reaching the crossing above Gem Pool we were passed by Steve Moore and Bill Cronin. At the crossing above Gem Pool, Sue decided the bushwhack below the actual crossing location looked pretty good and we took that approach. With established foot placements in the snow and plenty of handholds it worked out very well. We had an easy time of getting on to the trail above the crossing.
Soon the trees started to get smaller and we were approaching the treeline. Along the way to the ridge there are a few openings in the final sections of trees that provide nice views to Washington and surrounding areas. As we approached the treeline the sun was strong and warm, and the snow was soft and sticky. It was time for a snowman. This time around Sue found a shady place for the happy little guy hoping a break from the sun might keep him around for a while. With the snowman finished we continued our climb to LOC Hut.
At the hut we made the turn north onto Crawford Path and headed for the summit of Washington. We were enjoying very unusual conditions; warm, unlimited sun with a few clouds floating around, and no wind. The forecast predicted increasing cloud cover later in the day but for now we were enjoying a real treat. Between the LOC Hut and summit of Mount Washington, there were many areas of ice and areas of bare ground. We were changing in and out of MICROSpikes to accommodate the conditions. From a short distance before the junction with Davis Path to the summit we were able to bare boot the climb.
We reached the summit to find quite a few people wandering around. It was the first day of 2013 operations for the Cog and these folks were the first group to the summit. We hung around long enough to get a few summit pictures and took off. Our next target was Mount Jefferson.
We descended from Washington via Gulfside. There were a couple areas of concern but generally the trail is clear with secure footing all of the way down to the junction with West Side Trail. By the time we reached this trail junction we were no longer anywhere near the rim of Great Gulf. We stayed with Gulfside all the way to Jefferson Loop. Along the way we crossed a few snowfields that were soft and provided secure footing; bare booting wasn’t a concern.
We reached the south junction of Jefferson Loop and Gulfside, made the turn, and headed for the summit. From the junction to the summit is generally bare ground. We’re still working with generally clear, sunny, warm, and calm conditions. We reached the summit and found a place to sit with a nice view. (on a clear day, nice views are pretty easy to find on Jefferson). As we sat there enjoying the day, people that were there when we arrived took off and others arrived. Eventually it was out turn to head out. We grabbed our things and started our exit hike.
We reversed our route back to the junction of Jewell and Gulfside, roughly 1.8 miles south of the summit of Jefferson. From there it’s a straight walk down Jewell to the truck; roughly 3.7 miles of downhill (that’s 3.7 miles of MICROSpikes on and off, over and over). It was an easy walk with no postholes along the way,. We found a couple sections of monorail at the lower elevations that will last for a while. Otherwise, the descent was very pleasant. Late afternoon and roughly on-plan we stepped into the area of Marshfield Station. Once we walked to the truck it didn’t take long to pack and head out after a terrific day above the treeline.
Pictures will follow.
