Mt. Washington, NH

I'll be backpacking over Mt Washington next month & will remain in

the area for one week. I would like to maximize my time

photographically. Any suggestions for ponds, loons, elevated

scenics, etc. Thank you!

Curt, if you don't already have one, I would recommend picking up one of the AMC (Appalachian Mountain Club, www.outdoors.org) White Mountain Trail Guides. They are increadible resources and very descriptive with regards to the trails you will be on. You will find everything you are hoping for where ever you hike in that region. In addition to Mount Washington, investigate the Crawford Notch, Franconia Notch and Kankamangus (how close did I come with that spelling?) Highway areas for scenics. Use the trail guide to plan your route and prepare your photo ops. The AMC offers tons of infomation so use them as a resource. Plan ahead, be safe, and have a great time.

**OVER** Mt. Washington? No loons up there; maybe at the ponds off the Kancamagus. Couple of ponds over by Lake of the Clouds hut.

 

Elevated scenics... will very much depend on the weather patterns. Mt. Washington is astride a fairly long ridge line - all rock no trees, minimal vegetation of any sort up there; can be very monochromatic absent some help from ma nature.

 

The view down into Tuckerman ravine from Lion Head trail can be nice (though Lion Head is not one of my favorite trails).

 

The cairn line from Boott Spur up to the Tuckerman trail junction can be rather nice when the light is right (also a great winter shot).

 

A good view of Mt. Washington can be gotten from Square Ledge (or Wildcat ridge) - on the other side of Rte 16 from Mt. Washington.

 

Amonoosuc Ravine Trail can be kind of nice, if crowded. Haven't done it with photography in mind.

 

The views from the cog railway station are rather nice. Or maybe better, the turnout on Rte 302 where you can capture the Mt. Washington Hotel and the Amonoosuc Ravine side of the mountain.

 

As was mentioned... the AMC trail guide is very useful - mostly for understanding what you're getting yourself into as far as the trail difficulties and lengths, but it doesn't provide information such as where the loons hang out. AMC does sell nature guides that might cover that might help. Check out www.outdoors.org (the main AMC web page).

 

And... you're probably already aware of this, but just in case... the weather on Mt. Washington can be kinda crazy even in the summer. Make sure to pack some warm duds including a hat and a pair of gloves (or mittens) as well as a GOOD rain jacket and pants; a rain poncho is NOT a good thing to use up there as the winds are routinely in excess of 40mph.

 

In N. Conway... Cathedral ledge can be nice in the right light (even better if there are some properly positioned rock climbers).

 

If you've never driven the Kancamagus (the Kanc) - the road between Conway and Lincoln, it's worth the trip. There are lots of places along the Kanc where people pull off for moose sightings, or to play in the Swift river. When the weather is nice there's a fairly nice westerly view from the top of the Kancamagus pass.

 

Depending upon how much time you have, and, again, whether or not you've been there before, consider a visit to Franconia Notch. Falling Waters trail is kind of nice - there are good view of the notch from Franconia ridge.

 

There are a few waterfalls in the area. Arethusa comes to mind (in Crawford notch).

 

Ooops. I see I've been rambling. Sorry about that!

Zealand Trail to Zealand Notch, from there up Zeacliff. From Route 3 up Eagle Cliff to Mt. Lafayette. Falling Waters Trail in Franconia Notch. Nancy Ponds in Crawfords. Swift River on the Kanc. Webster Cliff trail.

 

Get the AMC guide. It's got everything you could ever need - topos, blow by blow trail guides, info about legal camping.

 

Take bug dope and a good sun protecting hat and pray for a high pressure system to clear the air. Expect lots of smog. Expect steep ascents and descents, scree that's really loose.

 

Avoid North Conway at all costs and Lincoln.

<<the weather on Mt. Washington can be kinda crazy even in the summer. >>

 

Ayuh. Friends of mine were backpacking up near Boot Spur about 30 years back, at the end of August. The wind got strong enough to be annoying. Then it kept getting stronger. Pretty soon it was howling, and my friends locked arms to keep from getting blown over. Before things quieted down, the wind was blowing open the zippers on their packs.

 

Kinda crazy, ayuh.

 

At the same time, I wasn't far away myself... trying to remember the name of the place, I think it was Mount Corrigan(?). We had a couple warm days and nice chilly evenings, never more than a stiff breeze. The hilltops that are just barely members of the 4,000-foot club aren't really in the same weather as the much taller Mount Washington.

 

Be well,

>>Avoid North Conway at all costs and Lincoln. <<

 

But wait!!!! He hasn't asked us for restaurant recommendations yet.

 

 

>>pray for a high pressure system to clear the air. <<

 

He wants to be there just AFTER a storm system goes through so he can capture all those wonderful puffy clouds (from the summit of Mt. Washington?).<div></div>

Curt, many have covered alot. I've lived here for 40 years and have been on all the presidentails in all seasons dozens of times. I'll chime in with another weather heads-up..plan well, avoid hiking the higher paths when thunderstorms may be forecasted as there really is no place to hide above treeline, sometimes for miles at a time. I've been pinned down to crawling by winds that were absolutely mild in the valley below, and battled snow and ice in June (no bull) before. Many have died on these "tame" hills from hypothermia in the middle of summer. Juts don't beleive the weather in the valley will be anything like what is on the summits taht day, good to check the high summits forecast on the Mt Washington Observatory web site.

 

Ok, now that I've got that off my chest, how about photo ops. The actual summit of Mt. Washington is IMO the ugliest high altitude tourist mecca, and I avoid it like the plague. The Southern Pressidentials are more foregiving than the Northern ones, and views off all are super on a good day. Ridge of Caps trail up Mt. Jefferson is one of my favorites, and nice pools up the Edmunds path to Mt Eisenhower, and the Ammanussuc? Ravine Trail (yes, busy). Great Gulf area is beautiful and very remote. Don't limit yourself to the Presidentail range, try out Mt. Carrigan (one of the best 360 degree views in the whites), or short day trips up Mt. willard or the Sugarloafs(busy also, but best bang for your buck mileage wise. And yes, Franconia Notch has wonderful views and hikes such as the mentioned Falling Waters Trail. Feel free to stop by my gallery, White Mountain Photography, in North Conway if you have some other questions. Open Friday thru Monday. Have a great week and I hope you get the good weather.

 

Dana Clemons

 

www.whitemountainphoto.com

Ooops. Sorry about the picture size, folks. Confused resize and compression. Duh.

 

There's no way to delete (or correct) a message once it's been posted to the forums???

"New England Waterfalls" by Parsons & Watson lists a number of waterfalls in the area.

Dana, nice site and wonderful photos.

Jim, Thanks for checking out my site, and the kind words.

 

Dana