Trail Report: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to Lake of the Clouds/ Mt. Monroe

This past Friday I went hiking with my wonderful stepson. We decided to do Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail up to Lake of the Clouds Hut and then to the top pf Mt. Monroe. This trail is located in the Presidential Range near the Cog Railway. We started at the Base Road Parking lot and headed up the path. It was very easy for the first 2.1 miles. Here is a few pics of the beginning of our adventure:

This is the pay station at the Base. I payed 3.00 for the day

The sign at the start of the trail: 3.1 miles to the Hut

My stepson loved the wood walking paths

Mys stepson asked many times where we were and when we were going to get to the top. He is eleven and loves to get to where he is going. He was fine up until we got to the Gem Pool. After that it gets steeper  and he was tired. We did stop at the Cascades/Gorge which he loved. It wasn't to long before we were above tree line and seeing some wonderful views. He likes when we started seeing the piles of rocks. He counted 13 of them before we got to the Lake of the Clouds where we took a break inside and ate.

The Gem Pool

The Gorge

Walking up the path to see Lake of the Clouds Hut and Mt. Monroe

We stayed in the hut for about twenty minutes. They had made some blueberry muffins and brownies so we had each one. The food is good and the price for each item are not bad. It only cost a dollar for each of our items. Plus they had soup for two dollars. After we headed up the path called Monroe Loop which is about .3 miles to the top pf Mt. Monroe. You can do the loop all the way around and connect to Crawford Path but we just went back the way we came up. For his first time doing a large hike he did a great job of keeping to the path and staying safe. I tried to guide he the best I could, I hope he continues to hike well after he leaves our home someday, and knows how to hike safely.
It is always wonderful when I see families hiking together and the children are outdoors. It good for everyone to enjoy nature at it's best!

Lake of the Clouds Hut: The food table it to the right:)

Mt. Washington, Lakes of the Clouds, and Lake of the Clouds Hut when hiking up Mt. Monroe

Me at the top of Mt. Monroe with Mt Washington in the background

The loop path below that also heads to the Hut

This hike is 6.8 miles round trip and took us around 5 and half hours to do. We had a great time and hope that you enjoy your next hiking adventure. Happy hiking:)

Hut to Hut in the White Mountains

It's Still Winter, yet I am already gearing up for Spring. Got to enjoy some muddy hiking come March 21st! I just went to go buy a new map called Hut to Hut on the Appalachian Trail. It shows Lonesome Lake, Greenleaf, Galehead, Zealand Falls, Highland Center, Mizpah Spring, Lake of the Clouds, Madison Spring, Pinkham Notch and Carter Notch. Out of all these Huts I have been to seven of these Huts. I hope to visit the others this summer so I can have all of them to my list. I have never stayed at any of the huts, though I hope to also change that this summer as well. Here are a few Huts that I have visited:

The Greenleaf Hut in Franconia Notch

Lonesome Lake Hut in Franconia Notch

Madison Spring in the Presidential Range

Lake of the Clouds Hut near Mt. Washington

Have you been to any of the Huts on the Appalachian Trail?

Which one is your favorite to visit or stay at? 

Happy Hiking!

Speechless Wednesday...Crawford Path

Crawford Path

This is the oldest continuously used path by hikers

in America. It was built by Abel Crawford and his son Ethan in 1819.

I have hiked a piece of this path this year when

heading up to Mt. Washington. 

I hope to hike more of this path next year!

Looking back at the Crawford Path when 

heading up to Mt. Washington!

The Crawford Path and Mt. Monroe

As you can see the Lakes of the Cloud Hut

Happy Hiking:)

Four AMC Huts I would like to stay at in the White Mountains

Four AMC Huts that I would love to stay at 

in the White Mountains

1. The first AMC Hut I would love to stay at next summer would have to be the Lakes of the Clouds AMC Hut. When I hike up to Mt. Washington I enjoy taking the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail so that I hike right up to this AMC Hut first. This wonderful AMC Hut is right by the two Lakes of the Clouds and have a beautiful view of the Mount. Washington Valley. I would love to wake up to a lovely sunrise at the Hut. I bet it is so beautiful. The Hut is right near Mt. Monroe and only about a mile from Mt. Washington. In side the Hut is a lovely eating area, rooms with bunk beds, and restrooms. Here is a picture of what the hut looks like and location:

2. Lonesome Lake AMC Hut would be another great place I would love to stay in when I hike next summer. It's right by Lonesome lake and you can see a beautiful mountain view of Cannon Mt. I also love that the bunk beds are in another building where there are separate rooms. The restroom is also in another building away from the sleeping rooms, and the place to grab some food is in another building a little higher up where you can see outside at the view. Then there is a place to eat and relax down by the lake. Last time I can up this Hut was packed, and many were swimming at the lake. Here is a picture of this hut:

3. One AMC Hut that I want to stay at, but never had a chance to see yet, would be Greenleaf Hut. This is right near Mt. Lafayette and the Franconia Ridge. I have only heard such great reviews about this hut and how wonderful it is to stay at in the summer months. I would be able to stay and do the Ridge which I want to do. I want to hike all the five Mountains in one day. It would be a great way to do all five. 

4. The Madison AMC Hut would be the other great hut to stay at in the White Mountains. It's was just remodeled this year and when I up to check it out, it was wonderful inside. The restrooms were clean, the eating area was big and the sleeping area is located on the other side. I love how this hut is right near Mt. Madison and also not far from Mt. Adams. Plus it is near lake Star which is a very nice small lake. 

Here is a picture of this Hut:

These huts are prefect for families, couples, groups and individuals. You will need to call for reservations in order to stay at these huts. The number to call is 800-262-4455. Enjoy your stay:)

Hiking Mt Washington...Part 3

Mt Washington...Part 3

After hanging out around the Lakes of the Clouds Hut, we started up the Crawford Path, which is the 

oldest used trail in America that is kept up. We had about one mile until we reaches the summit. The wind had picked up and the clouds were getting closer as we went forward. The temperature went down fast and we were starting to get cold. Here are a few pics of going up the trail...

Here we are starting the trail and you can see the summit of Mt. Washington from the Lakes.

Here is when we were very close  to the top of the summit looking back at the Lakes and the Hut.

When reaching the top of Mt. Washington, it was cold, windy and the clouds were all around us. We couldn't see any views for awhile until there were breaks in the clouds. But, We went into the Tip Top House, and got a picture with the sign that states you are at the Summit of Mt. Washington. 

Here are a few pics...

 Here is the Tip Top House, It was used back in the day for hikers to rest the night when reaching the

summit. Now, visitors can go inside a look around. This was very interesting and a must see for those that

love the history of the White Mountains.

This is the marker at the highest point on the summit of Mt. Washington

Yep, I was trying to smile, but it was so windy and cold. I also wanted

something to eat, which we did after in the cafe. When you travel

up to the summit, you have to get your picture with this sign!

I thought this sign was very interesting...I love history of the White Mountains

Inga- This cat was my idol, she lived on top of Mt. Washington for Years.

Now a new cat Marty lives on top!

There is my hike up Mount. Washington :)

Can't wait to do it again next year!

Happy Hiking!

9-11 Hiking Mt. Washington...Part 1

Today is 9-11th and it was the day we

picked to hike up Mt. Washington.

(the view from Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail)

We started our hike up the mountain a little later then we wanted to start. So instead of parking below in the hiking parking. We went up to the Cog Railway and started there, which has a small 0.3 mile trail that connects to the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail. To park at the Cog for hiking it cost $5.00. You can park at the low parking lot and walk up to the trail. I would have to say that I enjoyed the pool, waterfalls and cascades along this trail. Here are some of my pictures of the hike up to our first stop, which was the Lake of the Clouds...

When we connected onto the Ammonoosuc Ravine Tr. this is the sign we saw..

If you want to stay at the Lake of the Clouds, you need to make a 

reservation so you can have a spot!

They had a Sign of a person who lost their life hiking

up this Mountain. There has been 145 people who have lost their

lives in these parts! Can read about each one at the top of Mt. Washington!

The Gem Pool:)

The Gorge (80 yards from the Trail)

A beautiful sight as I crossed over this river following the trail

Heading up 2.1 miles from the marker, we can across The Lake of the Clouds Hut. I love this hut, but sadly you couldn't really go inside and enjoy it for they were cleaning. The hut was closed but you could still get water and use the restrooms. 

You can see by this picture all the mats were outside being washed. Good to know that the

place is always being well kept up for all the hikers that pass through here!

This is Mt. Monroe and as we were at the Hut, we heard a song called "Taps"

and saw them lowering the flag for 9-11.

This is part one...lots of pics here...and more pics to come of my trip up Mt. Washington on 9-11....

Mt. Washington State Park

Mt. Washington State Park

Out of all the places in the White Mountain Regain, this is my favorite to explore. The trails are so wonderful travel on and the people you meet along with way, are so friendly and helpful. I am hoping to hike Mt. Washington before fall really sets in. I plan on taking the same route that I did back in 2008. Hiking up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to the Lakes of the Clouds. Then take Crawford Path to the Summit for the beautiful mountain (Mt. Washington). Last time it was foggy so I never got to see any views, I was lucky enough to find the building itself! I would like to be able to hike a trail back down that I never got to last time, because the weather turned and we couldn't hike down. The trail I want to take is Jewell Trail, it is to lead me back down to the Cog Railway where the trails start. When I hike this mountain this week or the next I plan on posting my pics and my adventure story up here soon after. 

 I am hoping that one day, I can stay up at the Lake of the Clouds AMC Hut and wake up to the sunrise. I bet that is so beautiful to see the Sun rise above the Lakes up there. Plus I have always wanted to hike Mt. Monroe as well...wonder if I could do both Mountains on the same day? I bet I could. It's only .3 miles from the AMC Hut. There are so many places to see beautiful views once you are up in the Presidential Range that it will be very tough to come back down again. I feel like I am in a whole new world when I am up there. Soon, I hope to be able to stay up here for some time and see as much as I can before I have to come back down again! Here's hoping!

Taking on Mt. Washington

 Mt. Washington

I love this crazy mountain. There has been so many stories of the dangers hiking this mountain that I get goose bumps just thinking that something could go wrong. Even with the greatest weather, you need to be safe while hiking the white mountains and of all the mountains to be the most concerned about would be Mt. Washington. I am very glad though that there are a few huts around that can give cover if the weather would turn bad. Always have protective gear and pay attention to the weather before hiking.
I hiked Mt. Washington in JULY, it turned to hail when I got to the top! Yes, it can snow on top of Mt. Washington even in July. One hut around is the Lakes of the Clouds AMC hut near Mt. Monroe. Also there is AMC Madison Spring Hut near Mt. Madison which has been re-modeled and looks great! If you are at the top of Mt. Washington when weather turns bad, there is a place on top for hikers in need of shelter.
In the summer, on clear days, some people think that they are in the clear and hike up, but the sun can be strong and after the Lake of the Clouds, there are no more trees. Make sure to bring plenty of water and wear sunscreen. After the huts, you are following rocks the rest of the way up to the top. Mt. Washington is 6288' and what makes it so dangerous is also the winds. Winds can pick up quickly and can be very strong. I have felt the winds up near the top of Mt. Washington and I as nervous that I can really going to be blown off the cliffs. Remember to be safe when hiking and always stay on the trails!!!
Plus if you are going to hike up this mountain, please have a map, and compass with you. It's so easy to get lost. I can't tell you how many times, people are just hiking in the white mountains with families and ask me where they are, and don't have a clue where they are going. Think that just following a trail in the white mountains will lead them someplace amazing. Well, most trails around here will take to you someplace great, but you don't want to lose your way back home. 
So exciting to be hiking this mountain again this month!! Tell you all my tales of what happens on this crazy mountain! Happy Hiking!