Monroe and Big George
We did it! The long awaited hike up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to Lakes of the Clouds Hut, Mount Monroe and Mount Washington. I have been thinking about this hike for a very long time now, even before my surgery it was something I always wanted to do. To me it would have been a huge accomplishment before I was sick but to do this hike post bypass surgery is second to none as far as emotional hikes go.
We started out at the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead at 6:15 and were pleasantly surprised by nice weather and clear skies hoping this would last throughout the hike. I know this is a lot to ask in this area of the Whites so we both (Kyle and I) just agreed to enjoy this day no matter what. After about two miles of fairly flat terrain we hit the Gem Pool which was absolutely stunning! I actually had reception so I FaceTimed Erin and showed her what we were looking at. We then had a bite to eat and a few swigs of H2O and got on with the next part of the hike. The last mile is a ridiculously steep ascent up to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut which went by fairly quick due to the insane views and water features. Some of this didn’t even look real. Amazing! When we made it up the last 1600 feet of elevation gain in just one mile we came up to the Hut and the lakes and again our reaction was priceless. Just looked at each other and smiled and were shocked by the beauty standing before us. We decided to take another little break, bought our Hut patches and began our ascent to Monroe. After a few steep scrambles we made it to the top of the 5305 foot beast that is Mount Monroe. Fantastic views, no wind and #17 on our quest for 48.
Our stop at the Lakes of the Clouds Hut before summiting Mount Monroe.
View just before the summit of Monroe.
View starting our ascent to Mount Washington.
Looking back at Mount Monroe. Always nice to catch a glimpse of what you just accomplished.
Here we go! After summiting Mount Monroe we were eager to get going and start the climb to Mount Washington. This was a cool part of the hike with views of the lakes and Washington in front of us and Monroe behind. We had 1.5 miles up the Crawford Path to the summit of Washington but looked way longer than that staring at the peak the entire climb. This is a steep climb but again, the views were amazing and helped make this part feel shorter and a tad easier than it is. The amount of people on the trail is kinda nuts but everyone is super friendly and we had many conversations on the way up. Finally we had reached the last 0.1 mile mark and pushed through to the summit for #18. HOLY SHIT!!!!!!! I looked at Kyle and said “we just summited Mount Washington,” he gave me a fist pump and the rest is history. This is a day I will NEVER forget. We bought two more hiker patches at the gift shop and ate our lunch at 6288 feet, enjoying the views of Jefferson, Adams and Madison. While sitting atop the tallest mountain in the northeast and the most topographically prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River, I shed a tear or two and told Kyle that these were tears of joy and just had crazy emotions going through my head. What a feeling this was.
Not a bad view while eating lunch.
Now for our loooooong descent down the Gulfslide Trail and then connecting to the Jewell Trail. This was fantastic at first when on the Gulfslide Trail, views were amazing and it is kind of a gnarly stretch but well worth it especially in perfect weather. Once we hit the Jewell Trail things got a little annoying. This is just a very long trail after a very strenuous climb and we had to step over jagged rocks a good portion of the descent so this was not the best part of our hike. After finally breaking into the woods things felt normal again. Feet felt better, softer terrain and a gradual downhill climb which was in need at this time. Another two miles of gradual downhill and we finally hit the Cog Railway Station and walked back to our car to end this absolutely tremendous day. Headed back to the house and cracked a cold Tuckerman’s Pale Ale (no beer more fitting for this hike) had a campfire with a few good friends and called it a night.
Jefferson, Adams and Madison from the Gulfslide Trail on our way down.
Thankfully no worries about bad weather on this day!