Traverse

The trip was cancelled previously due to high winds, soggy conditions, and risk of hypothermia, but this weekend the weather cooperated and Mitch's epic adventure across the Presidential Range became a reality. The hike, called the Presidential Traverse, crosses a string of mountain peaks in excess of 4,000 feet named after US presidents including Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce. Its a strenuous and sometimes dangerous hike with the area known to have some of the worst weather in the world including the previous world record wind speed of 231 mph. It gets so windy at times that buildings near the summits need to be chained down so they don't blow away! Having said this, the area is pristine wilderness, home to some of the most rugged and beautiful terrain in New England, that attracts outdoor enthusiasts from around the world.

We, along with our friends Dan and Laura and Todd and Kari, decided to explore the area this past weekend. Thursday night, we made the 2½ hour drive from Boston to New Hampshire and camped at Sugarloaf I Campground in the White Mountains National Forest. Friday morning we woke up bright and early at 4:30am, tore down camp, ate breakfast, and shuttled cars to each trail head before 7:00 am. Our two day traverse across the Presidential Range began at the Appalachia trail head and followed the Valley Way trail upward from there. The trail meandered around a river most of the way before we split off on the Watson Path. Watson Path was a steep climb up through the tree line and was more like bushwhacking than following a well-groomed trail. Eying the time, we decided to ditch our summit attempt of Madison and take the Pine Link half a mile to the Madison Spring Hut. Slowly we crawled over the boulders that separated us from a well-deserved lunch at the hut. After a refreshing break, we headed out along the Gulfside Trail past Mount Adams, Jefferson, and Clay. It was a well-planned and well-marked trail that took us through alpine tundra, past breathtaking vistas, and even over a patch of snow. We eventually spotted Lakes of the Clouds Hut off in the distance and decided to abandon our Washington summit attempt in favor of dinner at the hut. With the 6:00pm dinner time quickly approaching, we headed across the Westside Trail, got our pictures taken by some tourists on the Cog Railway, and made it to the hut with half an hour to spare. We were fed like kings and slept like babies.

Saturday morning we woke up to a cloud-filled wonderland as the hut staff serenaded us with Danny Boy. They filled us with a hearty breakfast of oatmeal and pancakes and sent us on our way. The Crawford Path quickly took us past Mount Monroe and over Mount Franklin. With plenty of energy we decided to summit Mount Eisenhower and Pierce before heading down the steep path to Mizpah Spring Hut for lunch. From there we took the Mizpah Cut-off back to the Crawford Path. We eventually met up with Gibbs Brook and briefly stopped at Gibbs Falls. From there it was a downhill trek to the parking area. After two days and 18.9 miles of trails, we safely and successfully traversed the Presidential Range! We rewarded ourselves with a pizza dinner and roasted marshmallows before turning in for the night at Sugarloaf II.

Sunday was spent relaxing from the hike with noteworthy memories including a stroll around Saco and Ammonoosuc Lakes, a brief encounter with a bear, and roasting kielbasa over the fire for lunch. The drive back to Boston was uneventful except for a stop at Cracker Barrel, Bekah's favorite restaurant, for dinner. Here is a compilation of pictures from the trip.