Presidential Traverse

Presidential Traverse weekend in the books!  For the past few years I have been hiking the second weekend in September.  This year’s trip would prove to be a memorable one.  I left home just after 3am Friday morning and made the 4 hour drive to Crawford Notch, New Hampshire, to meet the group at the AMC Highland Center.

Diving up Rt. 91

Our group consisted of some old friends and some new ones I just met.  We were signed up to take a shuttle to the trail head and stay the first night in the Madison Springs hut.  We all arrived on time and after our greetings we gathered our packs and made our way to the shuttle stop.  The shuttle soon brought us to the Valley Way trail head and by 10am we were climbing.  The trail stays in the trees almost the entire way only allowing a few peaks through toward the top.  It was a tough climb but we made good time and arrived at the hut early afternoon.  It was nice to relax a bit, eat some snacks and cool off.  We checked in and I grabbed a bunk.  There were a number of other hikers coming and going, filling water and resting at the hut.  Everyone from AT thru hikers to day hikers and weekenders like us.  We chatted a bit, then decided it was time for our first peak.  Mt. Madison lies just past the hut, with a .5 mile climb to the summit.  I was tired but eager to see a view so the climb went quickly.  Once at the top the view was great.

False peak of Mt. Adams

Hanging out

Looking at Mt. Madison

Looking down at Madison Springs Hut

It was cold and windy but the sun was shining bright and we could see for a long ways.  The other mountains around us stood out clear and close and we could see what lay in store for the next day.  After hanging out on Madison for a while and chatting with an AT hiker, we headed back down and prepared for dinner.  Dinner and breakfast are included in your stay at the AMC huts.  Dinner consisted of honey mustard chicken, peas, and couscous, a creamy tomato soup, and salad, all served family style.  It is fun.

The climb up had kicked my butt so after dinner I headed for my bunk and relaxed and was soon fast asleep.

Sunset from Madison Springs Hut

Day 2 dawned bright and sunny.  It was cold, with temperatures not expected to get out of the 30’s and a steady wind.  We knew we would need to dress is layers so we could maintain our body temps.  Breakfast is at 7am and this morning there was pancakes with real maple syrup, scrambled eggs and bacon, and as always at the huts, oatmeal.  I skipped the pancakes, which proved the smart move, and filled up my belly with the rest.  Then we were off, our hardest day of the trip.  We were headed for Lakes of the Clouds hut and would summit three more peaks, the tallest of them all, Adams, Jefferson, and Washington.  The climb up Mt. Adams was steep, but fairly short.

We were all soon down to our shirts and sweating.  After a final scramble up we made the summit and quickly put on our warm weather gear.  Hats, gloves, and warm coats.  It was cold and windy on the top so I didn’t linger.

Once at a lower elevation we were a little protected from the wind and could de-layer a little.  The next peak was Mt. Jefferson, and as we approached the summit we could see that they were flying the American flag, for remembrance of 9/11.  It is done every year the Sat. before 9/11.  It was an awesome sight to come up over the top and see the flags flying, then we could look back at both Mt. Adams and Mt. Madison and see flags on those summits as well.  Very cool and something I have wanted to see for a while.

Heading for Jefferson

Looking back toward Mt. Adams

Flags on the 48

We snacked and rested on Jefferson for a bit but soon I needed to get going and made my way along.  The rest of the group would soon follow and catch up just before Mt. Washington, which was our next peak.  The trail from Jefferson to Washington was nice and flat for a ways.  It takes you through an open area, as it is all above tree line, and everywhere you look is below you.  It was nice.

Then there is the climb up Mt. Washington.  Even being at the elevation we were, it was a climb that seemed to go on forever.  We made it though and were in sight of the famous sign at the top, but there are hordes of people all over.  We went inside to warm up and I grabbed a Coke and slice of pizza at the snack bar.  I think we all had something to eat or drink.  Then after gathering ourselves we made our way to get a picture at the sign.

  From the summit it is 1.5 miles down to the Lakes of the Clouds hut and dinner.  We arrived at the hut at 5pm.  It had been a long day with a lot of elevation change.  We were all tired.  Some of our group hung out in the dining room, while I rested on my bunk.  Dinner that night was a Thanksgiving dinner, turkey, mashed potatoes and veggies.  Lentil soup and salad as well.  After dinner I was back in my bunk and soon sleeping.

Day 3 also dawned bright and sunny.

Sunrise

  It was still going to be chilly but not as windy.  After breakfast of eggs and sausage and of course oatmeal we were off.  We had three more peaks to hit and then the hike down to the cars.  The first peak is just outside the hut and is Mt. Monroe.

Lakes of the Clouds hut

It is a quick steep climb with views all around.  The trail then leads toward Mt. Eisenhower. It was much easier hiking, with less rocks, and we could stretch out our legs and get a pretty good pace going.  The top of Eisenhower is wide open, nice views all around.  We snapped a few pictures and then continued on. 

Looking toward Mt. Eisenhower

Summit of Mt. Eisenhower

The trail drops down a little before climbing up our final peak, Mt. Pierce.  It was a little anti-climactic finishing on Pierce, but we were all tired and ready to be done.

After a snack and break on Pierce we got back on the Crawford Path and began the 3.1 mile descent back to the Highland Center and our waiting cars.  In total we hiked 23 miles and climbed 7 peaks.
Elevation of the peaks we climbed:
Mt. Washington 6288
Mt. Adams 5774
Mt. Jefferson 5712
Mt. Monroe 5384
Mt. Madison 5367
Mt. Eisenhower 4780
Mt. Pierce 4310

Overall it was a great hike, one of the best I’ve done.  It was very challenging and tough.  On to other peaks and other adventures.