hammer
Active member
My family and I are planning on driving up the Mt. Washington Auto Road next week...any advice on some good short hikes from the road would be appreciated.
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Short hikes off of the Mt. Washington Auto Road
- Thread starter hammer
- Start date
Lowe's Bald Spot is a nice outcrop with great views, but I'm not sure if there's any place to park where the trail crosses the Auto Road. That's a light hike, not difficult at all.
The other options I know of are all above treeline, such as hiking over to Nelson Crag, or down to Mt. Clay, or even a larger loop from Nelson Crag across the Alpine Garden; however, those are all serious hikes in the region where Mt. Washington's famous ever-changing weather can really catch you.
The other options I know of are all above treeline, such as hiking over to Nelson Crag, or down to Mt. Clay, or even a larger loop from Nelson Crag across the Alpine Garden; however, those are all serious hikes in the region where Mt. Washington's famous ever-changing weather can really catch you.
Breeze
Member
Lowe's Bald Spot IS accessible from a legit parking area near the 2 mile post, called " 2 mile park". Its really a short walk. There is a confluence of a few trails there, and that is where the Appalachian Trail meets the Auto Road. If you walk out to Lowe's, you are actually on the AT heading north, the actual trail name for that section is the Madison Gulf Trail. If you go south, you will be on the Old Jackson Road heading for the AMC PNVC/ Joe Dodge Lodge. Nelson's Crag Trail and the Raymond Path go off of the Old Jackson Road, but neither are short hikes.
If you go further up the road, at about 4.5 miles, there is a parking lot on the left just past Oh My God Corner. Park there and cross the road north to find Chandler Brook Trail. This area is often used by birders looking for Bicknell's Thrush. Chandler Brook Trail goes out .9 miles to intersect with the Great Gulf Trail
STILL further up, midway between the 6 mile post and the 7 mile post, is a flattish area called the Cow Pasture. There is parking on the right hand side of the road and a sign for Huntington Ravine Trail. Cross the road to the south and take the Huntington Ravine Trail a short distance ( about 300 yards) to the intersection with the Alpine Garden Trail. THIS IS A VERY NEAT WALK!!!!! You are basically just above the lip of both Huntington's and Tuckerman's Ravines, way above treeline , its is really quite FLAT, no climbing or descent, and a very popular destination hike from the Auto Road.
From the summit of MW, it is a mile and a half one-way to Lakes of the Clouds via the Crawford Path, realizing that one way DOWN is all DOWN and the return trip is all UP and ALL of it is rock-hopping.
On your way to the Auto Road, stop at the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center on Rt 16 and spend the 3 bucks for the Wilderness Map Company illustrated visitors map and guide to Mt Washington. Totally worth the small change for so much of the landscape revealed !
Breeze
If you go further up the road, at about 4.5 miles, there is a parking lot on the left just past Oh My God Corner. Park there and cross the road north to find Chandler Brook Trail. This area is often used by birders looking for Bicknell's Thrush. Chandler Brook Trail goes out .9 miles to intersect with the Great Gulf Trail
STILL further up, midway between the 6 mile post and the 7 mile post, is a flattish area called the Cow Pasture. There is parking on the right hand side of the road and a sign for Huntington Ravine Trail. Cross the road to the south and take the Huntington Ravine Trail a short distance ( about 300 yards) to the intersection with the Alpine Garden Trail. THIS IS A VERY NEAT WALK!!!!! You are basically just above the lip of both Huntington's and Tuckerman's Ravines, way above treeline , its is really quite FLAT, no climbing or descent, and a very popular destination hike from the Auto Road.
From the summit of MW, it is a mile and a half one-way to Lakes of the Clouds via the Crawford Path, realizing that one way DOWN is all DOWN and the return trip is all UP and ALL of it is rock-hopping.
On your way to the Auto Road, stop at the AMC Pinkham Notch Visitor Center on Rt 16 and spend the 3 bucks for the Wilderness Map Company illustrated visitors map and guide to Mt Washington. Totally worth the small change for so much of the landscape revealed !
Breeze
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