Saturday was looking like the pick day for the best weather this weekend. I would be joining Christina, Eric and Jill for a hike to Mount Jackson (4,052') and Mount Webster (3,910'). Although Webster is not a 4,000 footer it makes a nice loop when hiking Jackson. We would do the usual loop of in on the Webster-Jackson Trail and up the Jackson Branch to the summit of Mount Jackson then across the Webster Cliff Trail to Mount Webster and down the Webster Branch to the Webster-Jackson Trail to complete the loop then a hike out to Route 302.
It was going to be a late start and I certainly welcomed that. I've started several hikes this Fall with my headlamp so that meant a very early start on the trail. We met at 9:00 AM and were soon on the trail. The trail, as expected, was very wet due to recent rain. The one water crossing over Flume Cascade Brook was easily crossed. We got to the trail junction and turned left up the Jackson Branch.
As we got to the upper part of the trail careful footing was necessary on the wet ledge scrambles. When we got to the top there were many hikers on the summit. There was a cool breeze blowing and the sky was clear with spectacular views in all directions. Gray jays descended on us looking for a snack. We stayed long enough for photos and something to eat then moved on to Mount Webster.
The hike across the Webster Cliff Trail started off with a careful descent down some slippery ledges. It was then an easy hike to the summit of Mount Webster. There were many hikers already here and we took a short break on a vacant piece of granite. A few more photos and we started back to the trail junction and down the Webster Branch.
There were a few hikers making their way up as we were going down. The trail was very wet and slick. Extra caution was required to keep from falling on the slippery trail. We got down to Silver Cascade Brook and had no problem crossing it. After a steep climb up on the other side we were back at the Webster-Jackson Trail completing the loop. A final 1.4 miles and we were back at Route 302.
It was a very enjoyable Fall hike today and this made 14 summits that I hiked for this month. There was nice crisp cool air, sunshine, spectacular views and great hiking companions. It was a short hike and a good way to finish my hiking for the month of October!
Enjoy the photos!
Valley fog on the drive to the trailhead
Snow on Mount Adams
Snow on Mount Washington
The hike begins here
Flume Cascade Brook
A fork in the trail...and we take it
Mushroom mitten
Captured rock
Eric hiking up over some trail ledge
Snow on the side of the trail
Mount Webster is the next summit over
Eric ledge scrambling toward the sun
Jill and Christina about to do some ledge scrambling to the summit
Snow on the cone of Mount Washington
Mizpah Hut
Gray jay enjoying the view
Gray jay waiting for a snack
Willey, Field, Tom, Avalon and Willard in this shot
Zooming in to hikers on Mount Willard
Eric easing down over some slick ledge
A gray jay following us to Mount Webster
Jill enjoying the view from Mount Webster
Mount Willey and beyond
Mount Carrigain
Mount Washington from Mount Webster
A long way down
A group shot on Mount Webster
A very wet trail on the way down
Straddling Silver Cascade Brook
Silver Cascade
Eric standing alongside Flume Cascade Brook
Back at the trailhead
Rock climbers on Elephant Head
Mount Washington Hotel
A view of the Presidentials on the way home
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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