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Need help with Mount Washington Hiking - first time.
- Thread starter amdmaxx
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 467
Not familiar with the places for camping altho there are plenty I'm told.
I hiked it ~30y ago. We parked at the base of the cog railway and hiked up the Jewell Trail. The rise is pretty gradual compared with hikes along the northern third of the Long Trail. No water available along the way IIRC.
A nice thing about the Jewell is, when you get near the summit, you can go left a bit and be at the head of the Grand Gulf, or whatever they call it. Amazing views straight down.
We went down to the south, via the lake and cabin there, and then down the Amanoosic Trail. It is pretty steep in places and there were black flies in the middle of July.
The tourists that rode up gave us great leeway in the buildings at the summit.
I checked the availability at the Lake of the Clouds Hut and it isn't open yet.
Take photos and post them when you return.
I hiked it ~30y ago. We parked at the base of the cog railway and hiked up the Jewell Trail. The rise is pretty gradual compared with hikes along the northern third of the Long Trail. No water available along the way IIRC.
A nice thing about the Jewell is, when you get near the summit, you can go left a bit and be at the head of the Grand Gulf, or whatever they call it. Amazing views straight down.
We went down to the south, via the lake and cabin there, and then down the Amanoosic Trail. It is pretty steep in places and there were black flies in the middle of July.
The tourists that rode up gave us great leeway in the buildings at the summit.
I checked the availability at the Lake of the Clouds Hut and it isn't open yet.
Take photos and post them when you return.
I've hiked it several times. Most important thing is to be prepared. The weather changes fast there. Check out mtwashington.org for weather conditions at the top. Bring enough money to catch the cog rail down if you need to. Its a difficult hike and there have been many deaths there so proper prep is essential. Being in good shape is important.
- Joined
- Oct 11, 2011
- Messages
- 119
From the West, use the Jewel or Ammonoosuc Ravine trials. These will get you to the 'Lake of the Clouds' AMC hut (reservations needed for overnight stays and hot dinners). Hot showers may be available. These trails are more gradual and wooded initially, but can be congested on weekends. From the hut you can climb to the Summit or hike along the Great Gulf Trail to summit the other presidential peaks. Be aware that the weather can changed within minutes and you can die from hypothermia even in the summer. Mt. Washington has killed as many people as Mt. Everest.
From the east, use the Tuckerman Ravine trail; its shorter but some sections are very steep, but offers good views. Descend via the Lions Head trail back to base camp (AMC Pinkham Notch hut) which offers lodging, hot showers, and excellent meals, especially dinners served community style. Make sure you and your companions sit at the start (beginning) end of the bench where you can serve yourself the best portions.
There is a visitor center at the Washington summit where you will run into fat ladies in high heels who ride up via the cog railway, take mini-buses, or private cars. After summiting many times, I no longer go to the top (been there, done that), but instead just enjoy the scenery below the summit. The Alpine Garden just below the summit should be in full bloom in early June. As noted before, prepare for the worse (flashlights, layers of warm clothes, wind breakers, etc.)
From the east, use the Tuckerman Ravine trail; its shorter but some sections are very steep, but offers good views. Descend via the Lions Head trail back to base camp (AMC Pinkham Notch hut) which offers lodging, hot showers, and excellent meals, especially dinners served community style. Make sure you and your companions sit at the start (beginning) end of the bench where you can serve yourself the best portions.
There is a visitor center at the Washington summit where you will run into fat ladies in high heels who ride up via the cog railway, take mini-buses, or private cars. After summiting many times, I no longer go to the top (been there, done that), but instead just enjoy the scenery below the summit. The Alpine Garden just below the summit should be in full bloom in early June. As noted before, prepare for the worse (flashlights, layers of warm clothes, wind breakers, etc.)
Last edited:
Garth Reckner
Moderator
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- Dec 13, 2004
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- 9,129
Sounds like a great time. Be sure to take pics.
Garth
Garth
swonut
Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
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- Jan 1, 2007
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- 1,434
Oooh, Ooooh, OOOh I've done exactly this.
My lessons learned.
1. Camp at somewhere close like Moose Brook State Park.
http://www.reserveamerica.com/campi...Code=NH&parkId=270053&topTabIndex=CampingSpot
2. Figure out if you are going to go up and back down (recommend no)
3. Scout the day before
- Ride back down
- Weather
-Food
- Trekking poles
-- Ride back down
3. Park in the trailhead at the tuckermans ravine parking area.
4. Climb, Climb, climb.
5. Sweat, freeze, curse the weather -- Mt Washington Kills
6. Arrive at the top, pay $23.46 for chili and coffee, think you got a good deal.
7. Take the last van van down for 12 bucks. Wonder if you have TB for the next 12 months....
8. Post the lessons learned on Bladeforums.... Priceless.
It's cold, trekking poles were worth 100 bucks at the center. Overall, I'd do it again,
5.
My lessons learned.
1. Camp at somewhere close like Moose Brook State Park.
http://www.reserveamerica.com/campi...Code=NH&parkId=270053&topTabIndex=CampingSpot
2. Figure out if you are going to go up and back down (recommend no)
3. Scout the day before
- Ride back down
- Weather
-Food
- Trekking poles
-- Ride back down
3. Park in the trailhead at the tuckermans ravine parking area.
4. Climb, Climb, climb.
5. Sweat, freeze, curse the weather -- Mt Washington Kills
6. Arrive at the top, pay $23.46 for chili and coffee, think you got a good deal.
7. Take the last van van down for 12 bucks. Wonder if you have TB for the next 12 months....
8. Post the lessons learned on Bladeforums.... Priceless.
It's cold, trekking poles were worth 100 bucks at the center. Overall, I'd do it again,
5.
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2011
- Messages
- 467
We drove over from north of Newport, Vt., had bkf in St. Johnsbury, and still had time to get up via Jewell, spend an hour or so at the summit and return via Amanoosic, spending 20min or so at the hut by the Lake of the Clouds.
I was a slow hiker so there is plenty of time.
My 2¢