Summit: Mount Jefferson (5,712')
Trail route: Up beside the Cog Railway, Gulfside Trail and back down Jewel Trail
Trail conditions: Up beside the Cog was loose snow, packed snow, crust and ice while the Gulfside Trail included loose snow, thin cover exposed rocks, crust and ice then very loose and sections of deep snow on the Jewel Trail
Weather: Cold and no wind below treeline to a cold biting wind above treeline with sunshine, blue sky and wispy high clouds
Total miles: 9.3
Total time: 7:54
Today was another window of opportunity for a day of favorable weather above treeline. I would be joining Amy, Jill, Robin, Jim, Marty, Scott and Lisa for a hike to Mount Jefferson. This would be Amy's Winter #47 of 48 summits. The second weekend in a row for a day of good weather above treeline which is rare in the winter. You have to grab those high summits when you can during the winter months and I needed Jefferson for February.
We all met at Marshfield Station and paid our ten dollars each. Our first decision was what route to go up, either the Jewel Trail or up beside the cog railway. I suggested the cog railway because there is always a good view to be had. We started to bare boot up then quickly put our snowshoes on.
The views might be good going up this route but it is a relentless up. Just past Jacob's Ladder the going got steep and the snow was hard and crusty. At one point we were walking right beside the railway with one hand on the rail and a steep drop to the side. We found a spot to cross the tracks and went over to the other side where the climb up was a lot safer.
We stopped at the Gulfside Trail and added a layer. There was a steady wind that had a bite to it. We also swapped the snowshoes for microspikes, I used my trail crampons. The hike along the Gulfside Trail was not too bad. There was a thin cover of snow and exposed rocks that made it a little tricky at times with spikes on. We dropped our snowshoes beside the trail to lighten our load, we would be returning this way.
It was a steady hike up to the summit from here with an occasional up and down but mostly up. Just below the summit we dropped our packs then climbed up to the top. The views were spectacular in every direction. There was a cold wind and we only stayed long enough for a few photos before dropping back down out of the wind. On the way down from the summit I saw a familiar face, it was fellow hiker Keith with his friend Debbie. We all took a short break and ate our lunch before heading back toward the Jewel Trail.
We dropped down off of Mount Jefferson and stopped along the way to where we had our snowshoes. This next section of the Gulfside Trail is always tough for me as it's a steady climb up beside Mount Clay with tired leg muscles. Once we got to where the trail levels off we made a straight line for the Jewel Trail. It was all downhill from here.
Down below treeline the trail suddenly got very loose with several inches of snow. We decided to put our snowshoes back on and this is exactly what was needed. They stayed on all the way back to Marshfield Station. The final water crossing had a solid snow bridge and it was easily crossed. The snowshoes came off at the parking lot.
It was a great day to be above treeline with an awesome group of hiking friends. They make the hike a lot of fun! Congratulations to Amy for Winter #47! One more hike to Mount Moosilauke and she will complete her Winter 48 4,000 footers!
Enjoy the photos and videos!
Driving past Mount Jefferson before sunrise on the way to Marshfield Station
A view of Bretton Woods from the Marshfield Station parking lot
Starting our upward hike along the cog railway
A look back at where we started
Approaching the Waumbek water tank
Passing the Waumbek water tank
The sun felt good
It felt cold in the shade
Sun is about to rise over these snowy trees
Another look back
Approaching Jacob's Ladder
Marty taking a break
A steep tricky section above Jacob's Ladder
Marty crosses the cog tracks to get away from the steep slope on the other side
Watched three skiers drop into Burt Ravine below
Zooming in on three skiers far below in Burt Ravine
Scott has crossed the cog tracks
Lisa about to cross the cog tracks
Robin hiking up on scoured snow
A view of the southern Presidentials
Robin continues the relentless climb up beside the cog railway
Within minutes and out of nowhere clouds roll over the southern Presidentials
Looking up the cog railway
Looking down the cog railway
Jim is the first to reach the Gulfside Trail junction
Robin on the way over to the Gulfside Trail junction
The northern Presidential summits
A stop at the trail junction to adjust layers
Looking back at Mount Washington as we head to Mount Jefferson
Jim is up ahead as we hike toward Mount Jefferson
The sun felt good in a biting wind
Dropping down before we head up
Continuing on the Gulfside Trail
Dropped our snowshoes here beside the trail
Snowy granite against wispy clouds in a blue sky
A view along the Gulfside Trail
A look back
Another look back at Washington
A brief stop before continuing up
Jim on a snow field
Wispy clouds cross over the ridge
Signs are not much help
Rime ice on trail signs
Here comes Marty
The last few feet to the summit of Jefferson
On top of Mount Jefferson
Amy on the summit of Mount Jefferson for Winter #47/48
On top of Mount Jefferson with Mount Washington in the distance
Mount Adams
Taking a break just below the summit of Jefferson before heading back
This sign is difficult to read...make that impossible to read
Met Keith and Debbie on Jefferson today
Coming down off the summit of Mount Jefferson
Carefully descending a steep snowy slope
Hiking across the Gulfside Trail
A few trees that are managing to survive above treeline
Hiking up toward the sun
On our way to the Jewel Trail
A look back at Mount Jefferson
Hiking down to the Jewel Trail
Marshfield Station far below
Zooming in on Marshfield Station to check on my car
Jill and Amy descending
Mount Lafayette
Mount Monroe
Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Mount Eisenhower summit cairn can be seen with Mount Carrigain in the distance
A view from the Jewel Trail
Amy, Jill and Marty coming down the Jewel Trail
Jacob's Ladder from the Jewel Trail
Mount Washington through the trees
A final view from the trail
Nice bridge across a water crossing
The final water crossing has a well formed and solid snow bridge
A view of Mount Washington from Marshfield Station at the end of the hike
Stunning sunset on the drive home
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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