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| View to the Lion Head from Lawn Cut Off |
Over the last few years, I've been revisiting the highest of the Presidential peaks via some of their lesser-known, lesser-used trails. Doing this in September, not in the busy summer months, has meant that I have had the approaches to Jefferson, Adams and Madison pretty much all to myself, something totally unheard of on the most direct-to-summit trails. This year, I wanted to see if I could also have a solo trail experience on my way to the most popular peak in the Whites -- Mount Washington.
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| Glen Boulder Approach |
On a picture perfect hiking day with no clouds, no wind and cool, comfortable temperatures, I decided on a looping approach to the summit via the Glen Boulder Trail. The conditions would definitely bring out the hikers, but I surmised that few would take this longer, meandering route. I parked at the trail head for the Direttissima Trail located just south of Joe Dodge Lodge and was happy to see that I was the only car in the lot. Direttissima means "very direct" in Italian and is used quite often as a trail name in Italy, always signififying the most direct approach to a summit. On paper, the White Mountain Direttissima is indeed a straight shot trail meant to connect Joe Dodge Lodge with the Glen Boulder Trail, thereby allowing hikers to avoid a road walk on the highway. But straight doesn't mean easy. There are steep ups and downs the entire way.
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| View to Mount Washington from Davis Path |
Once on Glen Boulder Trail, the route climbs steeply and quickly out of the tree line and one is treated to views of the rugged, rocky terrain of Mount Washington and wide, sweeping views in all directions -- a visual feast that continues for hours. I spotted a soaring Peregrine Falcon here, which was pretty neat, and then paused in the shadow of the massive Glen Boulder for a short break to admire the views to the northeast of the Carters and Wildcats. The panoramic views on this trail are amazing and, as expected, nobody was on it. The trail even offers a reliable and picturesque spring, accessible down a well marked spur trail leading to a small, wooded glen. Knowing that I would have the summit buildings as a fill-up spot, I wasn't carrying much with me so I took advantage of the spring and filled up a Nalgene.
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| Appropriate Hang Out for a Mountain Dog |
Glen Boulder Trail eventually connects to the Davis Path, which I took as far as the Lawn Cut Off leading north to the upper reaches of Tuckerman Ravine Trail. They call these wide open boulder fields above treeline "Lawns" and the route across this lawn was nothing but big rock hopping. At the intersection with Tuckerman Ravine Trail, I started to see the first other hikers of the day and then pressed on for more bouldering up to the summit. There, I encountered the usual Mount Washington madness -- lines of cars pulling into the parking lots from the autoroad, passenger vans of sightseers loading and unloading, and the whistle of the Cog Railroad as it came and left. I took my lunch break at the picnic table just below to the Tip Top House. There was scarcely a breeze on the summit, a rare thing indeed, so I took my time enjoying the views from various points. Due to the crowds, I didn't even bother going up to touch the summit marker.
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| View to the South from Top of Tuckerman Ravine Trail |
I had designs on possibly continuing my loop hike over to Ball Crag and then down to the Alpine Garden and a descent via the Lion Head. My fatigue level said otherwise and I opted for a simple (relatively) descent all the way down the Tuckerman Ravine Trail. I stopped to chat with a few late departing hikers who were on their way up, but it was a remarkably quiet and lonely day on the most popular trail to Washington. Once at Joe Dodge Lodge, I grabbed a seat on one of the only free benches to have a quick rest before the short spur trail back to the Direttissima that leaves from the southernmost end of the lodge parking lot. Glancing down at the Suunto heart monitor watch connected to a chest strap that I had decided to wear on the hike, I saw that it read 3,716 calories burned. Marathon runners burn around 2,600-3,000.
Mount Washington is a beast.
Peak: Mount Washington
Elevation: 6,288 feet (Gain: 4,819 feet)
Distance: 9.33 miles roundtrip
Route: Loop, The Direttissima to Glen Boulder Trail to Davis Path to Lawn Cut Off to Tuckerman Ravine Trail
Conditions: Sunny, 35 degrees F
Notable Flora/Fauna: Peregrine Falcon, mountain cranberries
