This has been a phenomenal hiking season. Starting with summiting one of the most prominent mountains of Southern California—Mt. San Jacinto, the peakbagging list includes Mauna Kea, Mount Whitney, and now Mount Washington.
I’ve read about Washington many times. Visiting Boston for the American Society for Surgery of the Hand meeting, I knew I had to make a side trip to the White Mountains. Coincidentally, while flipping through the current issue of Backpacker, I came across a brief guide to the summit of Mount Washington via the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail. Even though the climb was pretty much straight up the mountain, this route was more crowded than I had thought.
The river is beautiful, cascading along the entire ascent up toward Lake of the Clouds Hut. Ice crystals over parts of the open rock face where water once flowed. Near a picturesque waterfall, frozen crystals are strewn like a spread of diamonds.
At the hut, the tomato soup hot, hearty, and simply amazing. Just beyond, a sign warns hikers: “STOP! The area ahead has the worst weather in America. Many have died there from exposure, even in the summer. Turn back now if the weather is bad.” Cairns mark the trail in case of a white-out, but there is not a cloud in the sky. Near the summit, horizontal icicles appear, having formed sideways in the piercing wind. A Snickers bar is part of the summit celebration.
About to start up the Ammonoosuc Ravine TrailFlowing river cascading waterfallLush vegetation along the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, growing next to the mossy river bankAmmonoosuc River just below Gem PoolClose-up of birch barkView from along the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, looking westwardAmmonoosuc River flowing over moss-covered rocks, with ice crystals piled up in front, like large diamondsFlowing Ammonoosuc River, waterfall, flowing next to a pile of ice crystalsFlowing Ammonoosuc River, with trea and frozen needles making icicles that dangle over the riverSheets of ice covering the rockWestward view along the Ammonoosuc Ravine TrailOne of many cairns just below the Lakes of the Clouds HutGrass that are growing abov treeline, timberlineDoor and sign of the Lakes of the Clouds HutPumpkin pie, $2 for a phat sliceView westward from inside the Lakes of the Clouds HutHearty tomato soup for $3Finished tomato soup and waterSTOP. The area ahead has the worst weather in America. Many have died there from exposure, even in the summer. Turn back now if the weather is bad.Lakes of the Clouds Hut, on the Crawford Path of the Appalachian TrailLakeshore with reflection of the shrubs and rocksMt. Monroe (5,372 ft) and the Lakes of the Clouds Hut below it, with the Crawford Path leading up to Mt. Washington summit (6,288 ft)Distant purple mountains, and trail cairn row in Bigelow LawnWind-blown rocks and icicles, formed horizontallyReward candy bar, Mt. Washington (6,288 ft)At the summitSign at the top of the Cog RailwayView from the summit, of the Cog Rail and the roadCog Railway car, stopped at Mt. Washington summit, with one-way fare at $45Marshfield Station and Mt. Washington's western face
Colossians 3:
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
