Summit: Mount Jefferson (5,712')
Trail route: Jewel Trail, Gulfside Trail, Mt. Jefferson Loop
Trail conditions: There was loose, unconsolidated snow on the lower section of the Jewel Trail with mostly hard pack above treeline and occasional ice and rocks
Weather: Cool temps, calm to light winds, high cloud cover
Total miles: 11
Total time: 8:45
After watching the weather it looked like today would be perfect for a winter hike above treeline and to the Presidential summit of Mount Jefferson. I would be joining Jim for his final Winter 48 4,000 foot summit along with Jill, Mark, Larry and Marty. This would be a special hike as it's always nice to be there when someone completes a hiking list.
We decided to meet at the Ammonoosuc parking area because of the ten dollar parking fee (per hiker) at Marshfield Station even though it's an extra mile each way. The lot had not been plowed out from recent snow. Most cars had no problem getting into the parking area but with ice under the new snow there were a few that needed a little help in the way of a push.
Trail conditions were unknown as we saw no recent reports and there had been some light snow during the week. We started out in snowshoes even though the snow was not deep but very loose and unconsolidated. Microspikes would've worked as there was no postholing but would probably have chewed up the trail. As we got above treeline the trail was well packed with a lot of rock exposure. It became necessary to swap the snowshoes for microspikes.
Up on the Gulfside Trail we began a gradual descent as we made our way north toward Mount Jefferson. After dropping down we then started a gradual to moderate climb up. We met many familiar faces along the way. We had seen Jason with a group of hikers, John with his Grid dog Pepper, then Adam with another hiker, Nate with another group and his dog Piper, and there would be more on the way back. There were a lot of hikers above treeline today who had paid attention to the weather forecast and took advantage of it.
We dropped our packs just below the Jefferson summit cone and walked on up. A breeze was blowing and it was cold but tolerable. Jim was now on his final 48 4,000 footer to complete his winter list. We stayed long enough for a few photos then dropped down out of the wind. After a nice break and something to eat we started the 5.5 mile hike back to the parking lot.
On the way down from Jefferson there were a few more familiar faces. We met Renee and her husband Brian and their friend Amy, then passed by Trish, Alex and Sage on their way up. As the trail leveled out we faced the ascent up the side of Mount Clay. We arrived back at the Jewel Trail and continued down to Marshfield Station.
Below treeline the trail was very loose snow and had not packed down at all during the day with all the hikers that had been on it. Snowshoes could've been worn but I continued with microspikes. As we got lower there was less snow and the trail was firmer. We took the spur trail out to Marshfield Station. The sun was setting and it was illuminating the high summits with a golden hue. The western sky was lit up with brilliant colors, a spectacular way to end a fantastic hike!
Congratulations to Jim for completing the Winter 48 4,000 footer list!
Enjoy the photos and video!
Starting our hike
Water crossing with a bridge
Crossing the Ammonoosuc River
Ammonosuc River
Boundary Line Trail
Jill crossing Clay Brook and leading the pack
Clay Brook
Marty heading up the Jewel Trail
Mount Monroe in the distance
Above treeline on the Jewel Trail
Going up
A view of the southern Presidential summits
Coming up to the Gulfside Trail
Mark on the Jewel Trail
On the Gulfside Trail
Ice-coated cairn
Mark and Jim going down before going up again with Mount Jefferson in sight
Heading up
Icy
Jill, Larry and Marty coming down the Gulfside Trail
Lots of ice coated ledge
Jill coming down through the vastness
Icy rock steps
Mark and Jim waiting for the rest of us
Jim ascends icy rocks
Mark, Jill and Larry coming up
Marty talking to John with Pepper the Grid Dog
Jill and Larry on the final ascent to Mount Jefferson
SnowCoach heading down the Mount Washington auto road
Jim standing on his final Winter 48 4,000 foot summit
Jim on the summit of Mount Jefferson for Winter #48
Mark on the summit
Mount Washington
A view toward Mount Adams
Mount Adams
Jill and Jim toasting to Jim's Winter 48 completion
Northwest view
Ready to start our descent back to the parking lot
Familiar faces Brian and Renee with their friend Amy
On our way toward Mount Clay
Peering through the krummholz
Franconia Ridge in the far distance
A climb back up the Gulfside Trail to the Jewel Trail
Bretton Woods
Marty going up
A look back to Mount Jefferson as Larry and Jill come up the Gulfside Trail
Mount Carrigain
Cog railway and Jacob's Ladder
A long hike down to Marshfield Station far below
Marty hiking down the Jewel Trail
The sun just about to come out before sunset
Clay Brook
Mark crossing Clay Brook
Jim and Mark crossing a snow bridge on the Ammonoosuc River
Setting sun shining on Mount Washington
Sunset
Amazing colors at sunset as we walk to the Ammonoosuc parking lot from Marshfield Station
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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