A Hiker's Ride up the Mt Washington Auto Road

Lately I’ve found myself explaining this one a lot: I’m an avid hiker who prefers to explore on foot but I’m also the proud holder of a Mt Washington Auto Road season pass. I do love being a contradiction...!

Snow in June... that's a contradiction!

Admittedly, I used to roll my eyes at the mention of the Cog or Auto Road - the motorized methods of transportation to the summit of the northeast’s tallest peak. But simple things, like working for a travel agency and watching Tango truck on through lessening body awareness and muscle strength, softened my view and helped me acknowledge what I knew deep down: however one gets to the beloved summit, there is tremendous value in the fact that visitors invest their time and money to get there.

Summit structures

Pulloff shortly below the summit

While, yes, I still go crazy from some of what I see on my way up and at the summit and never make a trip without trying to politely, even lightheartedly, impart a little LNT knowledge, it's a wonderful trip.  And I acknowledge that vehicles allow people who might not otherwise have the means (time, gear, stamina, health, etc.) to access a summit that holds the power to mystify them, wow them with sweeping vistas, and make them more emotionally connected to the landscape.  We, as a society, need that for so many reasons.

View north from the observation deck

Little flowers, big attraction

One of the beautiful views attained by less than a quarter mile 
of descending the aptly nicknamed 'rockpile' (summit cone)

As Tango approaches his 12th birthday, I’m presented with two facts:   

1. I love Mt Washington and the alpine zone. It is my happy place, my Disney World, my heart’s home.

2. Tango’s lower back weakness betrays his otherwise youthful trail smiles. A properly choreographed hip check from a dog friend and he’s in a sit faster than any rally dog… just nowhere near as clean.

So how do I get to continue to share my “happy place” with both my dogs/not exclude Tango because of something that’s beyond his control? Enter a perfectly timed birthday and family that understands that my dogs’ happiness is my happiness - the gift of the Mt Washington Auto Road Pass.

2019 pass #4!

Since our first visit a couple of years ago, the Mt Washington Auto Road has really grown on me.  The itinerary options for a visit are much broader than they seem at first glance. I’ve found the state park (accessible only via the auto road, cog railroad, or on foot) to be a wonderful way to get our non-hiking friends out for a unique experience while challenging Tybee and not being too taxing on Tango.

Although not representative of the hiking experience as a whole, the availability of hot food and “real" bathrooms helped ease our greener companions into hiking and contribute to their positive experience. Moreover, I thought, surely, the appreciation for the work associated with summiting on foot would be lost of our companions. Not so! I made a point of stopping and getting out of the car every 1500 feet or so for us to acclimate to the changing temperature and wind gusts. The drastic change from the valley floor was well understood and the rock hopping off the summit cone isn’t a cake walk, so even the shortest of hikes offered a reasonable challenge for them.

Not a walk in the park!

The classic summit picture is at the cairn in the background.
Usually, there's a line of people waiting their turn.  

Another benefit of the auto road is the ability to combine a visit to my favorite summit with other activities. So far, that’s allowed us to see a whole lot of lupines, kick back at Chocorua Lake on the way home, and more!

Finally, there's something intrinsically satisfying about the chance to enjoy the trails and support the local economy at the same time.  The truth is, I sort of pride myself on finding cheap adventures around this incredible little state, usually away from the crowds.* On the other hand, I also wholly appreciate the value in supporting NH businesses.

The auto road and state park are dog friendly.  Ty loves when I
open up all the windows for the ride, especially the hatch!

Sure, there are concerns like carbon emissions, and yes, if you got there on foot, you should totally get to cut the line at the summit cairn, but I see the auto road & state park as a joint opportunity for regional visitors and residents to connect with what we hikers get to see and experience regularly. The truth is, we need as many advocates as we can get to continue to protect these places as our world changes. 

Our friend taking in Carter-Wildcat Ridge from a pulloff
shortly before the subalpine zone withers into talus

From my perspective, the auto road folks are dedicated advocates for Mt Washington, demonstrated through a number of earnest green initiatives and support of scientific studies.   And they’re always up for a good time, hosting a bunch of niche events to bring out the community, from runners to ATV’ers, and are a part of the Mt Washington Valley community at large. The way these guys tie all that together into a successful business is impressive and all the more endearing to someone who is selective about where she spends her money.

A day visiting George, supporting a local business I respect, engendering a greater appreciation and respect for nature in our friends, and making both puppers happy all at once proves what a great experience the Mt Washington Auto Road can be for anyone from the casually interested to diehard hikers.

*I recommend an early start, visiting towards the shoulders of their open season, or (to some degree - summer is still tourist season) a weekday visit if you and/or your dog prefer a less crowded experience.

Final Note: regardless of how you summit, Mt Washington is no joke.  Check the forecast, prepare for cooler temps, and pack a bag.  One should be prepared for even the smallest of adventures!  Lastly, the cafeteria is cash only, plan accordingly.

A Dream Realized: Presidential Traverse 6/18/2016

The trip report catch-up continues!!

**Disclaimer: I want to be upfront; this is NOT advised as a hike for most dogs. It's a big undertaking, physically and mentally.

Thanks to Kimberly D. for the pic!

Okay, that out of the way... Ty and I did a Presi Traverse!!!  As I think I mentioned in my Washington post, we ran into our friend Kimberly on the way down the Crawford Path and she mentioned she was planning a traverse in a couple of weeks and she graciously allowed Ty and I to join.  I've become quite addicted to sunrise colors & talus fields and this hike is a powerful enabler, especially under the incredible conditions we were granted by the weather gods!

Post-chase.  Threw her in the car just 

how she was when I scooped her up in

the woods 

The pre-hike story is rather long but suffice to say we had an absolutely terrifying deer chase in the middle of  the night as I was loading her and a couple last things in the car to head out.  We were both bloody but a record (in a good way) 15 minutes after she first took off, I had her back so we went out anyways.  After driving way too fast, we were only a few minutes late meeting Kimberly for the car spot at  the parking lot on Clinton Rd for the connector.  Soon after (including one stinky drive with a mysteriously rank dog), we were at the Appalachia trailhead, where we met up with Ann, who joined us for the first two summits.

I'll keep the written summary short, as most of the story is in the pictures (of which there are many) and it's more for memory's sake.  Advanced apologies it's not as organized as usual.

We hit the trail (Valley Way) at 2:30 AM and Kimberly and Ann set a fast pace! I don't know if it was the speed or poor memory, but going up Valley Way was nowhere near as difficult as I'd anticipated.  Not that any part was particularly challenging but I remember coming down it a couple of  years ago thinking I wouldn't want to go up.  Every once in awhile, we could see the sky on fire with vibrant reds and oranges in the pre-dawn light.  As that light took over the sky, we passed the hut and began our climb over the talus to Madison's summit.  Let me just say: it was glorious.  So very special.  Boulder fields are not particularly difficult, it's just a matter of picking one's way.  We had the summit to ourselves around 5:15 AM and took in the views as much as we could before heading down.

Hmmm, care to guess why Ty stays leashed
til being above treeline?!

Summit Numero Uno!

Looking south-ish (Adams and Washington)

Looking west-ish (Adams)

We took a break at the hut, where we saw a large jackrabbit (I leashed Ty for a bit!) then headed up Gulfside.  I absolutely loved this stretch of trail.  It was a combination of stone dust-like gravel, talus, and winding between low rocks and grass until reaching Thunderstorm Junction.

We're going that way!

Such a beautiful trail with the laboriously
constructed steps

Just a trail pup making a pretty pose

Looking down into Great Gully(?)

Thunderstorm Junction

Then came another stretch of picking one's way over talus on Lowe's Path to reach Adams' summit. Again, not terribly steep, just a matter of picking one's way.  Despite passing a group of fellow traverses and a couple miscellaneous hikers, we had another summit to ourselves and enjoyed the effect the still-rising sun had on our photos.

Where we're headed

Where we came from (from the summit of Adams)

More poses...

Dual pose!

So much talus! 

Back down at Thunderstorm Junction (giant cairn), we bid farewell to Ann, who was headed home for a nap before a Franconia ridge traverse!

Between Adams and Jefferson was longer than I recalled but often very enjoyable.  It was a bit steep after passing through the col and heading up Jefferson and Ty actually needed to evaluate one particular set of rocks.  It was a relief when the ground leveled and the rocky summit came into view.  We tried to linger and Ty even laid down while we had our first real food since beginning but Kimberly saw a mondo bee of some kind and we made haste departing.

Looking back from whence we came

Another view back at Adams

Summit rockpile up ahead

Super official summit marker, no?

More picking our way over rocks... then Monticello Lawn! Pictures and (morbidly, I admit) stories from Not Without Peril had created high expectations that were promptly met.  It is quite surreal and tranquil to walk over a somewhat-easier-than-the-last-few-miles path through a field that seems like any other except it sprawls out at over 5,400 feet in elevation.

Departing the summit

Monticello lawn with Washington in the background

If only she'd look at me like that!

Mt Clay up ahead.  We skipped it but it'll be a nice peak to visit some other day!

Eventually we reached a spring that Ty plowed right through (oye) and the junction where we opted to go around (vs. over) Mt Clay.  Around that point we met the first other dog of the day, a gorgeous black and tan GSD with her two young, fast-paced companions and I wondered if they were also doing a traverse.  If Ty hadn't had her 15 minute sprint before the hike, I think she would have abandoned us for them!  It was also at this point we started encountering more hikers.

Looking back (again!)  The beauty of being
above treeline is the 360* views

Break time!

That trend continued as we proceeded closer and closer to Washington.  100% above treeline, there isn't too much to describe that can't be understood through pictures.

One of my favorite views

Ty's favorite...

The rockpile portion of "the rockpile"

Other than running in to buy hot dogs for Ty (cash only, FYI!) and looking for Kimberly's friend who was participating in the road race, we didn't linger due to Ty's extreme stress.  This dog....  Onto the Crawford path we hopped on our way to the hut and last three summits.

My only summit shot - supporters and racers from the road race

Crawford Path

In design and terrain, the Crawford Path is among my absolute favorites.  It's also a zoo and we were constantly moving over for those heading up.  Generally, the trail is smooth but easy-to-descend rock with stretches of sand-like gravel/dust here and there.

At the Lakes of the Clouds hut,  I ushered Ty to the only patch of shade and she immediately collapsed into a sleep so deep, she hardly noticed a gorgeous pittie giving her a sniff down (I didn't notice him at first either!) but the hut staff did immediately when he snuck in.

Just had to share so everyone can see how
she initially felt about her boots!

Ty awoke to Ruffwear Summit Trex on her feet (courtesy of Backcountry K-9) as part of their Brand Ambassador team, as very tiny portions of the sides of a couple toes and dewclaw were a bit red.  (Prior to the hut, I had been applying a protective cream regularly).  She struggled up Monroe (due to the boots) but was a pro by the time we followed Kimberly onto a side path to skip Mt Franklin, as she had to boulder-hop the way down the loop.

Little scramble

 From the shortcut, we followed the Crawford Path towards Eisenhower and I could feel the end was nearing... sort of!  The stretch between Monroe and Eisenhower was something I'd yearned to do for awhile and that special-ness carried me mentally for the next couple miles while Kimberly was subjected to the sounds of a clumsily galloping horse tailgating her (Ty in boots!).

I love the view of the AT winding over the ridge

This trail is so enchanting to me

Ty bonked as the hump up to Ike's summit began.  Finally, I pulled out my remaining PB&J sandwich to coax her.  Miscellaneous warning: Xylitol, the sweetener, is now common in many pantry products.  Check labels more than ever before sharing with your pups!

We passed by the summit sans celebration due to the moderate crowd and reactive Weim but Ty was okay without more of a break for another mile or so.  Between Ike and Pierce is usually a favorite meander and I had to keep reminding myself of that, as my mental energy was waning along with Ty's physical stamina.  The more we stopped for her, the more I was ready to reach the next junction.  Kimberly was definitely stronger and more patient  than me!

The views were still fantastic but the temps started to rise as we lost elevation.  We finally made it to the Webster-Jackson junction and I dropped my pack and coaxed Ty to jog up to Pierce's summit cairn with me to make the traverse official.

From there to the Mizpah Cutoff, Kim humored me with some conversation to pass the time but time started to drag.  By the last three-quarter mile I was mentally d-o-n-e.  I'd done that trail a handful of times and yet, around every corner, I expected to see landmarks like Gibbs Falls that never seemed to appear.  When we finally reached the falls, instead of celebrating, I merely thought of the next checkpoint, knowing all the while I was being a brat but didn't care.  Kimberly pulled ahead as I lagged for either myself or Ty.  I had run out of water at the exact point I had predicted I would but with more serious consequences.  In comparison to how much we'd hiked I hadn't eaten or drank enough and I'd started to feel the effects.  (Extremely) luckily for me, Kimberly had gatorade in the car that she graciously shared.  I owe that woman....

Anyhoo.... that was our Presi Traverse!  Paw-friendly? No.  Dog-friendly? Not particularly.  Spectacular? Yes.  There are definitely more strenuous and steeper/more technical hikes in the Whites and beyond but 19.8 miles over 7 summits (or more for those who do the unofficial peaks), mostly above treeline and often over rough talus is not something one shouldn't consider lightly for their pup (or themselves!).  I'm proud to say my almost 8 year old did it and did it well but we will probably split it up into smaller loops and traverses from now on for the sake of enjoyment.  We started strong and ended with lots of breaks dictated by Ty for the last few miles, that I'm grateful Kimberly was patient about, totaling 15.5 hours - a very long and memorable day!

Double bacon cheeseburger instead of her usual

naked patty after this big day!