June 27 Mt. Monroe
Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Mt. Monroe Loop
Oh, I had plans. But you know, stress. So I scaled back and had an awesome time. Somehow I always do when I let go of expectations and just enjoy the ride. I can do that with hiking. Feel tired, turn around. Cloud looks stranger, grab a coffee instead. It’s all a journey. Wednesday I decided to do Tecumseh for June. SO different that it was in May with no snow. I like the snow more. Coming down at night was scary because of all the newly exposed rocks. However, it was nice to be all alone with nature and forced to be self-reliant. Scary, but freeing. It allowed me plenty of time to think about what the weekend and summer would bring. So many choices, challenges.
At first, it was up Caps Ridge, down Ammo. Then up Jewel (I still hate you), down Ammo. Then up and down Ammo. Jefferson-Washington-Monroe became Washington-Monroe, then just Monroe. And I was fine with it. Besides think of the crowds of Tide smelling people. In case you are wondering, those are the people who drove or took the Cog up and get their picture with the summit sign...ummm, I hiked my body up. Washington can be a zoo. Winter and bad weather make for peaceful summits. Plus 1200 more feet of elevation, no thanks.
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| Not today George |
I have taken the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail before. Hated it. Of course, the bright warm sunny day and #30 pack might have had something to do with it. Sucker is steep. Plus there are 2 versions. The one from the Cog lot and the other from the USFS lot. I have a National Parks pass, so I usually use that. I’ll tell you why no more later. This time, I took it down a notch. Lighter pack, no set schedule. I just took my time and conserved my energy. I allowed myself to stay slow. Guess what? I enjoyed it and had to chance to see so many wonderful wildflowers, some of which cannot be seen outside of the Whites. I kind of like this trail now. It is a heart pumper, you may curse a few times, but it is all worth it. Plus after finding Waldo 100 times before you find the hut, you will be rewarded with smiling faces and the best chocolate chip cookie bar $2 can buy...I put in 5 and still think that was not enough. Of all the huts, this one knows how to hide, unless you are downwind of it. ;)
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Do I really need to leave this lovely place?
Yes, because black flies don't care. Black flies don't give a poop. |
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This is the Gem Pool. It is 2.1 miles from the trailhead. It is nice.
If you have any doubts about your hiking ability, stop here.
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Seriously, do not go past this point.
If you are wearing flip flops. you shall not pass. |
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| It gets way steeper than this. Don't say I didn't warn you. |
I thought I would see a friend and we would do Monroe together, but she took the Cog from George. Can’t blame her. Again, I hate the Jewel. I had a nice lunch, ate too much though. Then saw some hiking friends come down from Washington, we chatted, and I continued to look for my friend (got her text as I was leaving the hut). Everyone who was everyone was at Lake of the Clouds hut. As I prepared to go to Monroe, BAM, another AMC leader, then another, and a their happy group. I guess it was too late to ask if he needed another co-leader. We chatted about the weather and ways of getting down. I told them about my failed traverse which involved a van ride down. Damn 0 visibility and 60MPH winds. I left my lb+ package of grapes for thru hikers at the hut and attended to business. Yes, they got down OK. Can’t wait to hear the stories.
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| Token ladder. I just scrambled on the rock next to it |
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| View |
Now, I have done Monroe before, sadly, it did not count. See above. Knowing I was not going to make the 48 in two years, and then not finishing in time for the awards, pressure was off. But I want to finish. Just to get it off my back and hike because I love the mountains. One thing a list does to you is force you to experience different things, have different experiences, and, well, meet new people. There will be others for that reason, but I also just like to get out there. This time, Monroe counted and I was happy. It is not a long slog from the hut, one tricky area and there you are. The views are great. Even saw some remaining snow fields. Yes, snow at the end of June. I met two groups of Presi traversers, some Boy Scouts, and a few nice pups. Well one unleashed pup decided to try to hump another one. Please, have your dog under control, voice or leash. Otherwise everyone will have to leash or they will not be allowed. Dogs are dogs after all.
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| I even forgot what number I gave it. |
Back to the hut. But no more food, I was still stuffed from lunch and it did not feel good. I actually saw the lakes of the clouds. Then down the Ammo. Now the first part was a little hairy. Slabby goodness with some wetness tossed in for fun. It was, interesting. Lots of butt sliding. Finally made it to the taken ladder, which I slid down. I scrambled next to it on the way up just to spite it. But once I got to treeline, I cruised down. There are some nice rock steps. They help keep you from falling on your face, but you may fall on your butt. These are are the nicest I have seen. Just when I thought I was going so slow, there was the Gem Pool. Cool, cruise control. I let two nice guys from CT by and enjoyed the cruise. Easily went under downed tree, skirted rocks. It was all good. I decided to take the Cog route and then walk the road. The trail is so much nicer than the other one. No PUDs, just a nice walk. Even the road walk is a quick walk...with wildflowers to boot. And I got close ups of lupines. HEAVEN. The guys passed me on the road and asked if I need a ride, I just said thanks cause the other trailhead was right there. Monroe officially done.
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| Yeah, got down just in time. |
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| Lupine. |
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| Walking and taking pics of flowers. |
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| Full disclosure, I took this from the view pull off on 302. |
When I got back, I met some kids who were enjoying a good brew. They asked me if I enjoyed this. Of course I said yes. Even the hikes that make me question my sanity bring joy. Yeah, there have been a few. OK hiking down with a sprained ankle in a microburst was not fun. NOT FUN, but the rest was. There is something about the mountains that centers you. A guy coming down Ammo said it makes you find yourself. And it does. Whether is it discovering your place in nature or asking why am I doing this, you find yourself. And you meet some awesome people. After a while, you all know each other. You share stories, experiences, tips. Whether you know each other from other hikes, Facebook, or world of mouth, you are somehow all family. We all watch out for each other. It is a great community, even if that connection only lasts as long as the hike.
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| Choo Choo on the way to the hostel |
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| Bretton Woods view. Where are the peaks? |
Now that my life will be taking an unknown path, what will I do? Hike of course. Maybe have a few hikes without a headlamp. Imagine that. I want my list done, plus I have hundreds of AT miles to do. I look forward to waking up well before dawn and driving hours. I will be sleeping in tents and shelters with new friends. I will be pushing myself and staring down old challenges. I will face new fears and old foes. I have faith in myself, and the mountains as my background.
