Virtual AT: Lake of the Clouds Hut to the Maine State Line

"Beans, back again!"

After a good sleep, warm surroundings and a hot breakfast...ready to hit the virtual trail...to Mount Washington!!!

Lake of the Clouds Hut Tour

https://youtu.be/sQCITlgOY54


Our goal today?  
Finish New Hampshire and hit the Maine State Line.

It is 53 degrees out and they are expecting a high of 65. Probably not up on Mount Washington...but later down below.

Starting up the Tuckerman Ravine Trail to Mount Washington

 Not sure what we are climbing into...they had a huge storm last night.


And what a climb. Over 6000 feet up and most of it is now covered with snow and ice that seems to get heavier as we get closer to the summit.

It is difficult to remember that at the base it is still fall-like. 

And rime ice covering even the sign as we finally reach the frozen summit

Thankful that we waited and did this hike fresh.

Redbeard's  Mount Washington Summit (without the snowstorm)

https://youtu.be/G_pm0rkptAI

The best part is the restaurant and visitor center at the very top.

The Tip Top House

Who knew???

A place to warm up and enjoy a hot cup of coffee and a doughnut or three before we start back down.

Down Israel Ridge Path to The Perch Shelter.

 
Surprisingly, filled with hammocks and refugees from last night's weather.

These guys are hardcore.

"It only dropped to about 35 here."

lol

I didn't have the heart to tell him we roughed it at the Hut in about 72 degrees with copious amounts of hot food.

Past Thunderstorm Junction

Where we are finally below the snow line once again and it is close to 60 degrees!

Passing the Madison Spring Hut

A Quick Peek Inside

Back up a bit on Mount Madison...but nothing like Washington and no snow!

Past the West Branch of the Peabody River.

Lowes Bald Spot

The View


To the Pinkham Notch Visitor Center

Where we are back down to something resembling civilization...oh...and it is still FALL down here!

Which is a nice change from the snow on Mount Washington!

And inside

The girl at the visitor center reminding us how lucky we were to head up or down the Summit (and scree) in soft snow.

"It is much much harder to hike when it is just jumbled broken rock"

she explained.

We will never know.

Our last climb of the day...Wildcat Mountain

and the Fire Tower

Hike of Wildcat Mountain Area with Baskets

https://youtu.be/E2YjK1sY7so 

NH to Maine with Baskets

https://youtu.be/BM2CevNhrac




And back down to Carter's Notch

Carter's Notch Hut at Wildcat Mountain

It is a push...and if this weren't virtual...probably impossible...but at long last we see the sign we've been waiting for...

And we have arrived...our very last leg of the journey...Katahdin awaits us only 281 miles away!!!!

We are 1877.8 miles from our start at Springer Mountain.

Taking a few Zero days and we will start Maine on Monday!

We are going to make it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

"Beans"