We started at Pinkham Notch and ascended up the Tuckerman's Ravine Trail to Huntington’s Ravine. Shortly after we starting on the Huntington's Ravine Trail, we came to a stream crossing. I thought that I would get my boots wet so I took off my boots and socks and walked across the stream barefoot. Only, the decision backfired, because I tripped and the boots (which were in my hand) went straight into the stream. Oh well, it was a nice day. I figured they would dry out so I rang out the socks and put them back on and continued hiking. When we got to the fan we put our hiking poles on our pack and continued to manage to maneuver our way around some boulders and then we continued up the fan. But we found out after we started up the fan, that the trail traversed the fan and went up along some brush to the right of the fan. Then we continued to the top of the fan and base of the headwall. The trail looked steep. As I climbed up the first section of the headwall (which is the most difficult) I tried to remember back to my rock climbing course I just took and I got up the headwall. After the first section, it was just a fun scramble up to the top. The weather was perfect. It was neither hot nor cold and while it was not windy up Huntington’s, we looked up at the sky and could see clouds zoom past us so we knew we were in for some wind. Once we got to the top of the headwall, we had to put on a jacket and hat (and its early august). I am glad I was prepared. Then we continued up to the Nelson Crag Trail and onwards to the Summit. Great Views from the Summit. We stopped for over half hour, eating lunch, taking pictures, chatting with other hikers, looking at the lazy people who drove or took the train up. Then we had enough and continued down via the Great Gulf Trail. We had the nice scent from the Cog Railway Train as we began our descent. We lost 1600 feet in 0.8 miles. The first part was not too bad, but we just had to careful not to step on loose rocks. On the second part of the headwall, we were descending down a waterfall where we really had watch our step, but we skillfully managed not to slip and stay dry. Once down the headwall, we hiked through the Great Gulf Wilderness passing Spaulding lake and some nice waterfalls to where we spotted our car at the base of the Great Gulf Trail on route 16. It was a great day to hike that had a little of everything from Stunning Views, Challenging climbs, tricky descent, and nice waterfalls and scenery.
Crystal Cascade
Approaching Huntington's Ravine
Nice Day
Justin climbing up the fan
The fan
Justin enjoying the view from the top of the fan
Justin climbing up the steepest section of Huntington's Ravine Headwall
Justin climbing away
That's the trail we just climbed up
View from top of the headwall
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Finished Huntington's Ravine, now onward to Washington Summit
Justin climbing up. Wildcat Ski Area looks small in the background.
Alpine Garden and Nelson Crag
Summit in View
Its windy with 40mph winds. Justin shows that a jacket and head protection is necessary
Going up the Nelson Crag Trail to Ball Crag (just below Washington summit)
The last push to the summit
Wildcat Ski Area
Crawford Path from Summit
Mt. Monroe and Lakes of the Clouds
Boott Spur Trail
The cloud is approaching
Clay and Jefferson
Adams and Madison
The Cog Railway on Washington Summit
The Northern Presidentials: Jefferson, Adams, Madison
Descending Washington into the Great Gulf
Had a nice time at the Summit, now for the challenging descent
Starting to descend down the Great Gulf Headwall where we lose 1600 feet in 0.8 miles
Looking up where we just descended
Justin making his way down the Great Gulf Headwall
Looking into the Great Gulf Wilderness, where we are going to venture into
Jefferson and Adams rising above Spaulding Lake
Mt. Clay
The trail is the waterfall
Justin rock hopping through the trail.
Spaulding Lake
Nice Clear Water
One last look at Washington