The purpose of this trip was to spend some time around the top of Mount Washington. I caught a ride on a shuttle up the auto road to the top of Mount Washington. After spending a bit of time on the summit, I walked the 1.5 miles southwest (and downhill) along the AT to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut. I spent the next two nights there. During the day in between I walked over towards Mount Monroe and also did some other hiking in the high country above tree line. It was nice to have a place available to stay and obtain meals in the backcountry.
From the summit of Mt. Washington, the Mt. Washington Auto Road descends 8.0 miles to the Glenn House site on NH 16. Also from the summit, the Tuckerman Ravine Trail descends 1.7 miles to the Hermit Lake Shelter and then 2.4 additional miles to Pinkham Notch Camp on NH 16.
On the descent from Mt. Washington to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut - at .5 mile, there are several other trail intersections. The AT then passes between the two Lakes of the Clouds, for which the hut is named. The larger of these lakes is the water source for the Hut. The other was available for swimming..., however, at a temperature of 45ьз╕, my afternoon swim (after the above tree line hiking) was short. Nevertheless, it was refreshing, invigorating and an effective substitute for a shower - which the hut does not offer.
I had parked my car at Pinkham Notch Camp along NH 16, so when I left the hut at the end of my stay, I used the (bad weather) AT alternate route down Tuckerman Ravine. This was one of the most memorable sections of trail that I've ever hiked. The trail descends the steep and rocky north side of the ravine, eventually reaching the bottom of the ravine. The trail remains rocky most of the way to Pinkham Notch Camp, even when it gets below tree line.
The trails through the Mt. Washington area are considered to be the most rugged along the Appalachian Trail in New England. Mt. Washington and a significant amount of the surrounding area is above tree line. The rugged, rocky character of Mt. Washington and the other nearby peaks makes for many striking views. My time there was characterized by very sunny and warm weather. However, signs on the approach trails warn that the weather can quickly change and become life-threatening. I do hope to eventually hike the entire AT section between US 302 and US 2 as a multi-day hike using the Appalachian Mountain Club's (AMC) hut system.