Better Outside Than In: Jefferson, Clay, Washington NH

Friday, July 31, 2015

Jefferson, Clay, Washington NH

Took Friday off and went to the Presidential range in NH. Warmest in the AM at the base with the temperature about 60. At the top of Mt Washington, and most of the ridge walking it was 45-50 degrees with 40-60 mph winds. I had my winter hat on most of the time on the ridge.
Went up Washington on the Tuckerman ravine trail. There was a chunk of snow maybe 20 feet wide and 10 feet deep at the base of the head wall (July 31). The wind picked up at the base of the ravine and the temperatures dropped so it made for a quick trip up to the top of Washington. From Washington I took the gulf side trail to Jefferson. Very windy and in the clouds for some of the walk to Jefferson. The top of Jefferson and Clay kept appearing and disappearing. Sometimes you could see the whole ridge and other times you could only see the next cairn. After Jefferson I went back on the Gulf side trail and took the loop up Mt Clay. Mt Clay has great views of Mt Washington and most of the rest of the Presidential's. No one on Clay. Compare that to the 500 people that were on the top of Washington when I got back up to the top! Went by the cog RR chugging up on the way back to Washington. From Washington I went over to the boot spur trail and down. Boot spur has great views of tuckermans ravine and huntington ravine. A 16 mile trip taking 10 hours (8AM - 6PM). Interesting day to spend so may hours above tree line with the view constantly changing.