N
NH_Mtn_Hiker
Guest
Fun in the Clouds
Date(s) Hiked:
Saturday, 5/29/04 (8:00am-5:45pm)
Trails(s) Hiked:
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to Lake of the Clouds Hut.
Unknown trail to Mt. Monroe and back to hut
Crawford Path to Mt Washington
Trinity Heights Connector to
Gulfside Trail to
Jewell Trail back to parking lot
Total Distance:
10.0 miles est. (includes est. .5 miles from Lake of the Clouds Hut to Mt. Monroe and back to hut).
Elevation gain = 4172'
Difficulty:
Mucho Grande Very Extremely Difficult (see wind speeds below)
Conditions:
Cloudy above about 5700', Partial Sun below.
Temp. at base = 35 deg. F. Temp. at Mt. Washington summit = 21 deg.
Wind speed on arrival at summit = 65 mph.
Wind speed on departure from summit = 65 mph.
Max. wind speed gusting = 87.5 mph.
Weather info provided by:
http://www.wunderground.com/
Special Required Equipment:
Wind gear including: Top, bottom, gloves, baclava, goggles.
Waterproof boots rec.
Non-cotton clothing
Trip Report:
The Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail is just as the AMC White Mountain Guide described it. A well-maintained trail which starts out easy enough until you reach the Gem Pool. Then the trail becomes very steep until you reach the ledges. Some parts of the ledges were steep, but they would not have been difficult had it not been for the layer of ice on the rocks and ledges above about 4500'. As we approached the upper part of the ledges the wind quickly picked up.
Reaching the Lake of the Clouds Hut we found the wind speed to be approx. 35-45 mph and the temp was 24 deg. F. The hut was not officially open (opens 6/1/04), but the crew working inside was allowing hikers to use the dining area and the restrooms, which were partially functional. We ate some lunch, and prepared to bag Mt. Monroe.
As we moved towards the north slope of Mt. Monroe, name of trail not known, the winds accelerated, gusting to about 50 mph. The hike from the hut to Mt. Monroe and back would generally be an easy hike, but putting one foot infront of the other with a 50 mph crosswind proved to be difficult. Fortunately, this was a short hike.
When we returned to the hut we discovered a group of about 45 students from Canada. They were just departing for Mt. Washington. Most were wearing typical summer hiking attire and winter jackets. Most did not have packs, goggles, wind pants or wind jackets. Some didn't even have hats and gloves. We saw 1 adult with the group, a woman who had a very difficult time getting herself up the mountain. I half expect to hear about some of these kids in the next day or two on the news.
When we left the hut for the second time, headed up the Crawford Path, we found the wind getting stronger and stronger. By the time we reached the summit cone the winds were blowing at approx. 60 mph. Walking, especially, walking on the trail was getting to be nearly impossible; but we pressed on.
When we reached the summit area, we proceded directly to the summit marker. The last 50' up to that marker was the most difficult 50' I've ever walked. I had to practically crawl the last several feet to keep from being blown away , literally.
After bagging the summit we spent about an hour-and-a-half in the summit building drinking hot coffee and buying a few light souvenirs. At 2:00 we began our descent down the Trinity heights Trail. (We were unable to find the Gulfside Trail near the summit). We chose to take the only trail that appeared to be going in the correct direction, North North-West. Luckily, a few tenths of a mile down the trail, we found the Gulfside Trail.
We proceded down the Gulfside trail towards the Cog Railway Track. Shortly after crossing the track a summit bound train came into view. We stood there about 30' from the track and watched it approach. A strong wind, about 50-60 mph, was blowing straight at us from the trains direction. (Some of you probably know where this is going
) As the train neared, we discovered why you don't stand directly down wind of the train in high winds, especially when it's climbing a steep grade. The little train blows ash and unburnt charcoal (golfball size) out the stack, and when it hits you in the face at 50-60 mph, it hurts.
After waving to the train passengers, we proceded towards Jewell trail. The AMC Guide describes the upper part of the Jewell trail as "only moderately rough and rocky". I beg to differ. The trail was, in my opinion, very rough and rocky, and the trail proved difficult to follow (for Jewell noobies) because some of the cairns were only about 1 foot tall and in many sections there was no discernible trail between the cairns. The lower portion of the trail is relatively easy; not too steep, no ledges, and fairly easy to follow, though, there aren't any good views either.
Note:
1) The only blowdowns we encountered were people.
2)Their is a restroom in the parking lot, hidden near the Ammonoosuc ravine Trailhead.
3) I greatly appreciated having an able and well prepared hiking partner or this hike. Thanks Mike.
Date(s) Hiked:
Saturday, 5/29/04 (8:00am-5:45pm)
Trails(s) Hiked:
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to Lake of the Clouds Hut.
Unknown trail to Mt. Monroe and back to hut
Crawford Path to Mt Washington
Trinity Heights Connector to
Gulfside Trail to
Jewell Trail back to parking lot
Total Distance:
10.0 miles est. (includes est. .5 miles from Lake of the Clouds Hut to Mt. Monroe and back to hut).
Elevation gain = 4172'
Difficulty:
Mucho Grande Very Extremely Difficult (see wind speeds below)
Conditions:
Cloudy above about 5700', Partial Sun below.
Temp. at base = 35 deg. F. Temp. at Mt. Washington summit = 21 deg.
Wind speed on arrival at summit = 65 mph.
Wind speed on departure from summit = 65 mph.
Max. wind speed gusting = 87.5 mph.
Weather info provided by:
http://www.wunderground.com/
Special Required Equipment:
Wind gear including: Top, bottom, gloves, baclava, goggles.
Waterproof boots rec.
Non-cotton clothing
Trip Report:
The Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail is just as the AMC White Mountain Guide described it. A well-maintained trail which starts out easy enough until you reach the Gem Pool. Then the trail becomes very steep until you reach the ledges. Some parts of the ledges were steep, but they would not have been difficult had it not been for the layer of ice on the rocks and ledges above about 4500'. As we approached the upper part of the ledges the wind quickly picked up.
Reaching the Lake of the Clouds Hut we found the wind speed to be approx. 35-45 mph and the temp was 24 deg. F. The hut was not officially open (opens 6/1/04), but the crew working inside was allowing hikers to use the dining area and the restrooms, which were partially functional. We ate some lunch, and prepared to bag Mt. Monroe.
As we moved towards the north slope of Mt. Monroe, name of trail not known, the winds accelerated, gusting to about 50 mph. The hike from the hut to Mt. Monroe and back would generally be an easy hike, but putting one foot infront of the other with a 50 mph crosswind proved to be difficult. Fortunately, this was a short hike.
When we returned to the hut we discovered a group of about 45 students from Canada. They were just departing for Mt. Washington. Most were wearing typical summer hiking attire and winter jackets. Most did not have packs, goggles, wind pants or wind jackets. Some didn't even have hats and gloves. We saw 1 adult with the group, a woman who had a very difficult time getting herself up the mountain. I half expect to hear about some of these kids in the next day or two on the news.
When we left the hut for the second time, headed up the Crawford Path, we found the wind getting stronger and stronger. By the time we reached the summit cone the winds were blowing at approx. 60 mph. Walking, especially, walking on the trail was getting to be nearly impossible; but we pressed on.
When we reached the summit area, we proceded directly to the summit marker. The last 50' up to that marker was the most difficult 50' I've ever walked. I had to practically crawl the last several feet to keep from being blown away , literally.
After bagging the summit we spent about an hour-and-a-half in the summit building drinking hot coffee and buying a few light souvenirs. At 2:00 we began our descent down the Trinity heights Trail. (We were unable to find the Gulfside Trail near the summit). We chose to take the only trail that appeared to be going in the correct direction, North North-West. Luckily, a few tenths of a mile down the trail, we found the Gulfside Trail.
We proceded down the Gulfside trail towards the Cog Railway Track. Shortly after crossing the track a summit bound train came into view. We stood there about 30' from the track and watched it approach. A strong wind, about 50-60 mph, was blowing straight at us from the trains direction. (Some of you probably know where this is going
) As the train neared, we discovered why you don't stand directly down wind of the train in high winds, especially when it's climbing a steep grade. The little train blows ash and unburnt charcoal (golfball size) out the stack, and when it hits you in the face at 50-60 mph, it hurts.After waving to the train passengers, we proceded towards Jewell trail. The AMC Guide describes the upper part of the Jewell trail as "only moderately rough and rocky". I beg to differ. The trail was, in my opinion, very rough and rocky, and the trail proved difficult to follow (for Jewell noobies) because some of the cairns were only about 1 foot tall and in many sections there was no discernible trail between the cairns. The lower portion of the trail is relatively easy; not too steep, no ledges, and fairly easy to follow, though, there aren't any good views either.
Note:
1) The only blowdowns we encountered were people.
2)Their is a restroom in the parking lot, hidden near the Ammonoosuc ravine Trailhead.
3) I greatly appreciated having an able and well prepared hiking partner or this hike. Thanks Mike.
