Moseying Up Mount Monroe

Summit: Mount Monroe (5,372')

Trail route: Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Monroe Loop to the summit

Trail conditions: Dry low, frozen trail with ice and flowing water up high

Weather: Cold with temps in the 20's, windy with incoming high clouds

Total miles: 5

Total time:  4:59

There was incoming clouds, precipitation and increasing winds in the forecast for the afternoon so was hoping to complete this hike before noontime. Found a hiker to join me for this short but steep hike on this Sunday morning. 

It was an early start. Boots were on the trail at 6:00 AM with headlamps. The headlamps did not stay on long as daylight soon arrived. Traction was not needed up to Gem Pool, after that the trail turns steep and there was areas of ice that microspikes made easier to get through.

There was lots of icy waterfalls as we got higher up the trail. Trees were full of rime ice. A cool wind was blowing down the trail. When the Lakes of the Clouds Hut came in to view the sun was just coming up over the ridge. There was a ring around the sun indicating an approaching storm. 

Made a brief stop at the hut that has been closed, grabbed something to eat and it was then off to the summit of Mount Monroe. The sun through the high clouds was creating amazing views from the top of Monroe. Surprisingly there was just a slight breeze making it tolerable to hang out for some photos. Could've stayed up there longer but it was time to make our descent.

It was not until down past the hut that we saw the first hikers coming up. Further down the trail we took the spur path to some amazing waterfalls and cascades. Back at Gem Pool the microspikes came off. It was an easy walk out to Marshfield Station from there.

Both weather and trail conditions were better than I expected on this hike although there were a few tricky areas of ice to get past. The views were spectacular with the sun peering through high clouds onto frozen high summits. It was a great Sunday morning to be above treeline!

Enjoy the photos and video!

Daylight arrives

With a thin coating of snow on the bridge the handrail was used

Gem Pool

Icy ladder

Icy ledges

Sun coming up on distant mountains

Frozen falls

Sun about to come up

Mount Washington

Frost and ice

Trail goes up over this icy ledge

Sun on the summit of Mount Washington

Lakes of the Clouds Hut as the sun comes up

Ring around the sun forming

A cold seat

A view while ascending Monroe

Sun illuminating what appears to be the ocean on the horizon

Mount Monroe summit up ahead

Rime ice on the summit

Southern view

Northern view

Mount Jefferson

Eastern view

Descending Monroe

Heading down to the hut

Lake starting to freeze over

Spruce rime ice

Ring around the sun indicating a storm on the way

A look back at the hut on the way down

Icy trail ahead

Sun coming up over frosty trees

Icy brook

A short spur path leads to this amazing waterfall

Presidential summits after the hike

A last look at Mount Monroe on the drive home

 

Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!