I was invited to join fellow hikers Brian and Melanie on a hike to Mount Webster (3,910') and Mount Jackson (4,052'). I suggested hiking up the Webster Cliff Trail from Route 302 to these summits since neither one had done this route before. They agreed and it was a beautiful hike across the top of the cliffs with many viewpoints along the way. There was also several good ledge scrambles and rock climbs to keep the hike interesting. The weather was fantastic with lots of sunshine and a good breeze blowing to keep the bugs at bay and providing relief from the warm temps.
We crossed over Mount Webster on the way to Mount Jackson then descended the Jackson Branch Trail to the Webster-Jackson Trail back to Route 302. I had spotted my car here so we could drive back down to the Webster Cliff Trail parking area where Brian had parked his car. With great weather and plenty of spectacular views into Crawford Notch and beyond we all had a fun day of hiking! I'll keep the narrative short and let the photos tell the story of this amazing hike.
Enjoy!
Early morning fog as I leave for the trailhead
Looking up to the ledges where our hike will take us far above the parking lot
Zooming in on the ledges
The Webster Cliff Trail is a section of the Appalachian Trail
A sign with lots of info
Bridge over the Saco River
Reflection on the Saco River
A huge split rock
Split rock from another angle
Brian climbing a steep section of trail early in the hike
A tree appears to be growing straight out of this rock
Getting some views
Stepping out onto the first ledge outlook
Looking north through Crawford Notch
Great view of Signal Ridge to Mount Carrigain
Lots of mountains seen in this view
Melanie takes a photo of Brian with a great backdrop
My turn for a photo
A view south in Crawford Notch
The Willey House site far below
Zooming in on Brian's car
Mount Webster straight ahead
Cairn on top of another viewpoint
"Skull" on a cairn
Brian posing with the skull
Comparable smiles
Enjoying the views
Very windy
Mount Webster
Looking back
Melanie climbing down a ledge
Melanie climbing up a ledge
Here comes Brian
Still climbing
A view back to the last outlook
Another ledge scramble
Still ascending Mount Webster
Another steep up
Melanie at the top of another ledge scramble
Looking down the cliff at the bottom of Crawford Notch
On a precarious perch
On the final push to the summit
Brian climbing the final steep section to Mount Webster
Mount Washington from Mount Webster
Mount Washington and Mount Monroe below
On the summit of Mount Webster
Hikers on the summit of Mount Willard
Railroad trestle in Crawford Notch
Brian capturing the views
On our way to Mount Jackson
Starflower
Bluebead lily
Bog bridges
Ascending Mount Jackson
Bunchberry
More ledge scrambling
Almost to the summit of Mount Jackson
On the summit of Mount Jackson
Mount Washington from Mount Jackson
Summit of Mount Washington
Mizpah Hut
Melanie feeds the gray jays
Gray jay waiting
Junco
Two gray jays
About to make our descent
Melanie takes the lead on descent
Descending the ledges
Brian carefully descends
One more ledge scramble on the way down
Big toad trying to look small
Water crossing
Taking a break and cooling off
End of the trail
Back at the beginning
Presidentials on the way home
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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