Mount Clay - Mount Washington - Mount Monroe - Mount Eisenhower: 6/7/2014

Mileage: 14.95
Elevation gain: 5365'
Trails used: Jewell Trail, Gulfside Trail, Mt. Clay Loop, Appalachian Trail, Crawford Path, Mount Eisenhower Loop.


With the predicted weather and temperatures supposed to be in the comfortable range, we looked for several things to do for Saturday.  We toyed with doing a long section of Franconia Ridge from the Osseo Trail to the Mount Garfield Trailhead but mileage looked to be a bit on the tough side and the elevation gain was estimated out to about 6000+ feet. 

Other options we entertained was stringing together numerous fire tower peaks which would mean a lot of driving. 

We decided on doing a southern presidential traverse, which usually involves hiking Mount Washington south, over Monroe, Eisenhower, Pierce, Jackson and sometimes Webster (for those purists!).  We were also adding Mount Clay in the mix, since Brian and Desi both wanted to do it having never been there before.

We deemed this hike to be a "Middle Presi Traverse" since it wasn't starting at the north end of the range nor the south but incorporated a bit of both traverse's.   We ended well short due to the time and my nagging plantar fasciitis issue.

Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains and is located in Sargents Purchase, New Hampshire and also in the Mount Washington State Park.  Mount Munroe is also located in Sargents Purchase, New Hampshire.  Mount Clay is located in Thompson and Meserve's Purchase, New Hampshire and is considered a secondary summit of Mount Washington.  Mount Eisenhower is located in Chandler's Purchase, New Hampshire.  Some interesting links for Mount Washington: Mount Washington Observatory, Mount Washington Auto Road, and Mount Washington Cog Railway.

Mount Washington, Mount Monroe and Mount Eisenhower are on the New Hampshire 4000 footer's list, and the New England/New Hampshire 100 Highest/New Hampshire 200 Highest List.

The Jewell Trail starts out on the opposite side of Base Road from the lower hiker parking lot.

The junction for the Boundary Line Trail (which heads towards Jefferson Notch Road) and Jewell Trail.

The Jewell Trail is a mess of exposed roots and beaten up trail down low.  It is steep in a few spots but its a steady hike up to the alpine zone.

The bridge for the second of two water crossings we would use while going up.

Is that part of the trail or a rock slide?  This section of the Jewell Trail was very rocky as it climbs through an old section of blowdowns.

Approaching tree line and the alpine zone, the sun kept trying to make its presence known.

Once above tree line though, the clouds taunted us for awhile with short glimpses of blue sky above but the scenery below us remained obscured.

You can just barely make out the Jewell Trail looking back the way we came up.

Finally we reached the junction of the Gulfside Trail and Mount Clay Loop Trail.

The Mount Clay Loop trail heading up to Mount Clay.

Hiker's on the actual summit of Mount Clay (elevation 5541').  It was still socked in to this point so we got very little in the way of views.

Once on Clay though, the views finally start to clear up for us somewhat.  This is looking into the Great Gulf.

Looking back towards Mount Clay as the clouds roll back in.

Looking back down to the Cog Base Station with a cog going down the tracks.

The summit buildings on Mount Washington make their appearance on the way up. 



One of three cog's that went past us on the way to the summit.  People were taking pictures and waving at us as they cheated their way up to the summit of Mount Washington.

The views looking east from the summit of Mount Washington (elevation 6288').  The Wildcat Range, Carter Range and Baldface area all in one shot.  Yes, those are part of the track timbers for the cog railway.

The upper end of the Crawford Path just below the summit of Mount Washington.

Despite the low cloud cover, we could see the entire stretch of the Southern Presidential Range as well as the Willey Range, the Bonds and Franconia Ridge in the background.

Coming down off of Mount Washinton with multiple people in the picture.  It was a popular place to be hiking today, despite the so-so weather.

Almost to the Lake of the Clouds hut with two different views of Mount Monroe and the Lake of the Clouds hut.

 Looking back towards Mount Washington as we make the climb up to Mount Monroe.

The views looking all the way back towards Mount Clay and Mount Jefferson from the summit of Mount Monroe, as we pass some hikers heading down.

The views from the summit of Mount Monroe (elevation 5383') looking down the rest of the Southern Presidential Range with the Willey Range, North and South Twin and the Bonds Range in the background.

Looking towards Mount Eisenhower (elevation 4780'), our next (and last) destination. 

Looking back towards Mount Washington on the climb up the Mount Eisenhower Loop.  You can see a large group of hikers resting just below us.

The large summit cairn on the top of Mount Eisenhower.  It was a bit windy up here.



On the way to Mount Pierce, the combination of my foot pain plus the waning hours made our decision to cut the hike short and head back down the Crawford Path and to the car.

Starting to head down Crawford Path, which was probably the toughest part of the day.  Due to the rain the day before, the trail was a muddy, rocky mess.  It was really tough on the knee's and even tougher on my sore foot. 

The start (or end) of the Crawford Path on the 302 side.

Having to cut the day short was a tough decision, but it was the right one.  With sore feet and legs, we made the decision to head back down.  We did have fun nonetheless as the views did present themselves after awhile so the entire hike was not a loss.  For now though, this has killed any ambition I have for a Presidential Traverse or Pemi loop at this point, but you never know what might happen in a few years.