amc july 29, 2014 3-day-presitraverse -...

AMC July 29, 2014

3-day-PresiTraverse

0 9858 ft

© 2007, Appalachian Mountain Club. All rights reserved.

Created by AMC White Mountain Guide Online – wmgonline.org

Notes

1

Distance Time ElevChange

Trail / Waypoint Latitude Longitude

starting at Fallsway Trailhead (Appalachia) 44° 22' 17" 71° 17' 18"From the east end of the Appalachia parking area, the Fallswaygoes east for 60 yd., then turns right on a gravel road and crossesthe Presidential Range Rail Trail and the power lines.

0.10 mi 4 min +19 ft on Fallsway0.10 mi 4 min +19 ft Fallsway is an attractive alternative route to the first part of Valley

Way, following close to Snyder Brook and passing several falls.From the east end of the Appalachia parking area the trail goeseast for 60 yd., then turns right on a gravel road and crossesPresidential Range Rail Trail, where Brookbank diverges left.

0.10 mi 4 min +37 ft on Fallsway0.20 mi 8 min +56 ft Fallsway crosses powerlines and enters the woods and continues

straight ahead. It soon reaches Snyder Brook and passes GordonFall.to Gordon Fall 44° 22' 10" 71° 17' 13"

0.04 mi 2 min +35 ft on Fallsway0.24 mi 10 min +91 ft In 60 yd., Sylvan Way crosses and Maple Walk enters right.

to the junction of Sylvan Way 44° 22' 08" 71° 17' 12"

0.36 mi 18 min +233 ft on Fallsway0.60 mi 28 min +323 ft Fallsway continues up the brook in hemlock woods. Lower and

Upper Salroc Falls are passed, and soon Fallsway enters ValleyWay below Tama Fall.to the junction of Valley Way 44° 21' 52" 71° 17' 19"

0.02 mi 1 min +16 ft on Fallsway0.62 mi 29 min +339 ft In 30 yd. Fallsway leaves Valley Way on the on the left.

to the junction of Valley Way 44° 21' 51" 71° 17' 19"

0.09 mi 5 min +86 ft on Valley Way0.71 mi 34 min +425 ft This is the most direct and easiest route from the Appalachia

parking area to Madison Spring Hut, well sheltered almost to thedoor of the hut. Note that the parking area is a stop of the AMC’sHiker Shuttle. In bad weather, it is the safest route to or from thehut. J. R. Edmands constructed it in his unmistakable style in1895 to 1897, using parts of earlier trails constructed by LabanWatson and Eugene Cook.Fallsway then reenters Valley Way on the left—a short butworthwhile loop.to the junction of Fallsway 44° 21' 46" 71° 17' 20"

0.20 mi 11 min +150 ft on Valley Way0.91 mi 45 min +575 ft Valley Way leads nearer Snyder Brook and is soon joined from

the right by Beechwood Way.to the junction of Beechwood Way 44° 21' 36" 71° 17' 20"

0.02 mi 1 min +25 ft on Valley Way0.93 mi 46 min +600 ft About 30 yd. above this junction the Brookside continues straight,

while Valley Way turns right.to the junction of The Brookside 44° 21' 35" 71° 17' 20"

0.05 mi 3 min +49 ft on Valley Way0.98 mi 49 min +649 ft Valley Way climbs 100 yd. to the crossing of the Randolph Path.

to the junction of Randolph Path 44° 21' 34" 71° 17' 23"

1.20 mi 1 hr 3 min +885 ft on Valley Way2.18 mi 1 hr 52 min +1534 ft Valley Way then climbs at a comfortable grade high above Snyder

Brook, crossing several small brooks at their confluence andheading east, then south. Scar Trail branches right, leading to AirLine via Durand Scar, an excellent outlook on Scar Loop onlyabout 0.2 mi. above Valley Way, well worth the small effortrequired to visit it.to the junction of Scar Trail 44° 20' 56" 71° 16' 58"

0.30 mi 20 min +349 ft on Valley Way2.48 mi 2 hr 12 min +1882 ft Watson Path crosses the trail, leading left to the summit of Mt.

Madison.to the junction of Watson Path 44° 20' 40" 71° 17' 03"

0.40 mi 25 min +426 ft on Valley Way

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2.88 mi 2 hr 37 min +2308 ft Valley Way angles up the rather steep slopes of Durand Ridge ata moderate grade considerably above the stream. Lower Bruinenters left, coming up from Bruin Rock and Duck Fall.to the junction of Lower Bruin 44° 20' 23" 71° 17' 08"

0.44 mi 29 min +508 ft on Valley Way3.32 mi 3 hr 6 min +2816 ft A side path on the right leads 150 yd. to the Valley Way

Campsite.to the junction of Valley Way Tentsite access 44° 20' 01" 71° 17' 11"

0.07 mi 3 min -12 ft on Valley Way Tentsite access3.39 mi 3 hr 9 min +2804 ft

to Valley Way Campsite 44° 20' 05" 71° 17' 14"

0.07 mi 4 min +12 ft on Valley Way Tentsite access3.46 mi 3 hr 13 min +2816 ft


0.06 mi 3 min +37 ft on Valley Way3.52 mi 3 hr 16 min +2853 ft Soon the trail passes a spring to the right of the trail. Upper Bruin

branches steeply right, leading to Air Line at the lower end of theKnife-edge.to the junction of Upper Bruin 44° 19' 59" 71° 17' 11"

entering alpine zone

0.50 mi 35 min +619 ft on Valley Way4.02 mi 3 hr 51 min +3472 ft Now Valley Way becomes steeper and approaches nearer to

Snyder Brook. High up in the scrub, the path swings to the right,away from the brook, then swings back toward the stream andemerges from the scrub close to the stream, reaching a junctionwith Air Line Cutoff 50 yd. below the hut.to the junction of Air Line Cutoff 44° 19' 41" 71° 17' 01"

0.01 mi 1 min +3 ft on Valley Way4.03 mi 3 hr 52 min +3475 ft Valley Way ends in another 10 yd. at a junction with Gulfside and

Star Lake trails.to the junction of Gulfside Trail 44° 19' 41" 71° 17' 01"

0.02 mi 1 min +13 ft on Gulfside Trail

3



4.05 mi 3 hr 53 min +3488 ft This trail, the main route along the Northern Presidential ridgecrest, leads from Madison Spring Hut to the summit of Mt.Washington. It threads its way through the principal cols, avoidingthe summits of the Northern Peaks, and offers extensive, ever-changing views. Its elevations range from about 4,800 ft. close tothe hut to 6,288 ft. on the summit of Mt. Washington. The nameGulfside was given by J. Rayner Edmands who, starting in 1892,located and constructed the greater part of the trail, sometimesfollowing trails that had existed before. All but about 0.8 mi. of thetrail was once a graded path, and parts were paved with carefullyplaced stones—a work cut short by Edmands’s death in 1910.The whole trail is part of the AT, except for a very short segmentat the south end. For its entire distance, it forms the northwesternboundary of the Great Gulf Wilderness, though the path itself isnot within the Wilderness. The trail is well marked with largecairns, many topped with a yellow-painted stone, and, thoughcare must be used, it can often be followed even in dense fog.Always carry a compass and study the map before starting, soyou will be aware of your alternatives if a storm strikes suddenly.The trail is continuously exposed to the weather; dangerously highwinds and low temperatures may occur with little warning at anyseason of the year. If such storms threaten serious trouble onGulfside Trail, do not attempt to ascend the summit cone of Mt.Washington, where conditions are usually far worse. If you are notclose to either of the huts (at Madison Spring or Lakes of theClouds), descend below treeline to shelter in the woods, on a trailif possible, or without trail if necessary. A night of discomfort in thewoods is better than exposure to the weather on the heights,which may prove fatal. Slopes on the Great Gulf (east andsoutheast) side are more sheltered but generally much steeper,with numerous dangerous cliffs, and are much farther fromhighways than slopes on the west side. It is particularly importantnot to head toward Edmands Col in deteriorating conditions; thereis no easy trail out of this isolated mountain pass (which often actslike a natural wind tunnel) in bad weather, and hikers havesometimes been trapped in this desolate and isolated place by astorm. The emergency refuge shelter that was once located herewas removed in 1982 after years of misuse and abuse (includingillegal camping) by thoughtless visitors. In order to enjoy a safetrip through this spectacular but often dangerous area, there is nosubstitute for studying the map carefully and understanding thehazards and options before setting out on the ridge.Madison Spring Hut is reached in another 30 yd.to AMC Madison Spring Hut 44° 19' 40" 71° 17' 00"

0.02 mi 1 min +13 ft on Osgood Trail4.07 mi 3 hr 54 min +3501 ft This trail runs from Great Gulf Trail, up the southeast ridge of Mt.

Madison to the summit, then down to Madison Spring Hut. Theupper part is very exposed to the weather and has very roughfooting. Made by Benjamin F. Osgood in 1878, this is the oldesttrail now in use to the summit of Mt. Madison. Above OsgoodCutoff, it is part of the AT. Osgood Trail begins in the Great GulfWilderness, but for most of its length it is just outside theboundary (in fact, it constitutes the northern section of the easternboundary of the Great Gulf Wilderness).Osgood Trail begins at Madison Spring Hut. In 30 yd., Pine Linkjoins on the left. (From Madison Spring Hut until it reaches theOsgood Tentsite, Osgood Trail is part of the AT.)to the junction of Pine Link 44° 19' 41" 71° 16' 59"

0.48 mi 31 min +546 ft on Osgood Trail4.55 mi 4 hr 25 min +4048 ft Osgood Trail ascends steeply along the north side of the ridge. It

crosses to the south side and ascends eastward just below theridge crest and above the steep slopes falling off into MadisonGulf on the right. It then follows the crest of the ridge past severallarge cairns to the summit of Mt. Madison, where Watson Pathjoins from the left.to Mt Madison 44° 19' 44" 71° 16' 36"

0.48 mi 14 min -546 ft on Osgood Trail5.03 mi 4 hr 39 min +3501 ft Osgood Trail then follows the crest of the ridge west past several

large cairns, drops off to the left (south), and continues todescend westward just below the ridge crest and above the steepslopes falling off into Madison Gulf on the left. Soon it crosses tothe north side of the ridge and descends steeply. Then Pine Linkjoins on the right.

4



to the junction of Pine Link 44° 19' 41" 71° 16' 59"

0.02 mi 1 min -13 ft on Osgood Trail5.05 mi 4 hr 40 min +3488 ft In another 30 yd. Osgood Trail reaches Madison Spring Hut.

to AMC Madison Spring Hut 44° 19' 40" 71° 17' 00"

0.02 mi 1 min -13 ft on Gulfside Trail5.07 mi 4 hr 41 min +3475 ft The trail begins about 30 yd. from Madison Spring Hut at a

junction with Valley Way and Star Lake Trail and leads southwestthrough a patch of scrub.to the junction of Valley Way 44° 19' 41" 71° 17' 01"

0.02 mi 1 min +13 ft on Gulfside Trail5.09 mi 4 hr 42 min +3488 ft Madison Spring Hut is reached in another 30 yd.


entering wilderness area

0.20 mi 9 min +106 ft on Star Lake Trail5.29 mi 4 hr 51 min +3595 ft This trail leads from Madison Spring Hut to the summit of Mt.

Adams, much of the way angling up the steep southeast side ofMt. John Quincy Adams. It is often more sheltered from the windthan Air Line, but it is steep and rough, especially in the upperpart where it rock-hops a great deal of large talus and then tacklessome fairly challenging rock scrambles on the steep section justbelow the summit ridge. It may also be difficult to follow whendescending.Star Lake Trail runs south from the hut, rising gently, and ParapetTrail branches to the left, passing east of Star Lake and leading tothe Parapet and to Madison Gulf and Osgood trails.to the junction of Parapet Trail 44° 19' 33" 71° 17' 01"

0.10 mi 3 min +1 ft on Parapet Trail5.39 mi 4 hr 54 min +3596 ft This trail, marked with cairns and blue blazes, runs at a roughly

constant elevation around the south side of the cone of Mt.Madison, from Osgood and Daniel Webster–Scout trails atOsgood Junction to Star Lake Trail between the Parapet andMadison Hut. Although above timberline and extremely rough,particularly in its eastern half, in bad weather Parapet Trail ismostly sheltered from the northwest winds. The rocks can be veryslippery, the trail may be hard to follow if visibility is poor, and theextra effort of rock-hopping more than expends the energy savedby avoiding the climb of about 500 ft. over the summit of Mt.Madison. Therefore, it is probably a useful bad-weather route onlyif strong northwest or west winds are a major part of the problem.Parapet Trail begins at Star Lake Trail 0.2 mi. south of MadisonHut. It runs south, passing above Star Lake. Parapet Trail makesa sharp left turn where a spur path leads right 30 yd. onto theParapet, a ledge that commands excellent views over the GreatGulf and Madison Gulf to the mountains beyond.to The Parapet 44° 19' 30" 71° 17' 00"

0.10 mi 3 min -1 ft on Parapet Trail5.49 mi 4 hr 57 min +3595 ft Parapet Trail then runs north, passing above Star Lake, and joins

Star Lake Trail 0.2 mi. south of Madison Hut.to the junction of Star Lake Trail 44° 19' 33" 71° 17' 01"

0.10 mi 3 min +14 ft on Star Lake Trail5.59 mi 5 hr 0 min +3609 ft Star Lake Trail passes along the west shore of the lake, and

beyond it Buttress Trail diverges left and descends into the GreatGulf.to the junction of Buttress Trail 44° 19' 29" 71° 17' 05"

0.70 mi 49 min +874 ft on Star Lake Trail6.29 mi 5 hr 49 min +4483 ft Star Lake Trail ascends southwest on the steep southeast slope

of Mt. Quincy Adams, leaving the scrub and passing a goodspring below the trail. It becomes progressively steeper androugher as it angles up the rocky slope, and the rocks becomelarger and require more strenuous hopping. Approaching the crestof a minor easterly ridge, it turns right and climbs very steeply withsome fairly difficult scrambles to the top of the shoulder, thenascends moderately along the ridge crest to the summit ofAdams, where it meets Lowe’s Path and Air Line.to Mt Adams 44° 19' 14" 71° 17' 30"

5



leaving wilderness area

0.54 mi 17 min -641 ft on Air Line6.83 mi 6 hr 6 min +3842 ft This trail, completed in 1885, is the shortest route to Mt. Adams

from a highway. It runs from the Appalachia parking area upDurand Ridge to the summit. The middle section is rather steepand rough, and the sections on the knife-edged crest of DurandRidge and above treeline are very exposed to weather but affordmagnificent views.Air Line begins on the summit of Mt. Adams, at a junction withLowe’s Path and Star Lake Trail. It descends steadily southeaston a rough way over large, angular stones, passing northwest ofMt. Quincy Adams. The path then enters Gulfside Trail, turning tothe right.to the junction of Gulfside Trail 44° 19' 33" 71° 17' 18"

0.06 mi 2 min -10 ft on Air Line6.89 mi 6 hr 8 min +3832 ft Gulfside Trail and Air Line coincide for less than 100 yd. Then Air

Line branches left at the top of the steep, open north slope of Mt.Quincy Adams, and just below this junction, King Ravine Trailbranches left from Air Line. Here there are striking views ahead toMt. Madison, and into King Ravine at the Gateway a shortdistance down on the left.to the junction of Gulfside Trail 44° 19' 34" 71° 17' 15"

0.30 mi 9 min -357 ft on Gulfside Trail7.19 mi 6 hr 17 min +3475 ft Gulfside Trail then descends the slope and passes through a

patch of scrub to a junction with Valley Way and Star Lake Trail.to the junction of Valley Way 44° 19' 41" 71° 17' 01"





0.01 mi 1 min -3 ft on Valley Way7.24 mi 6 hr 20 min +3472 ft Valley Way begins at a junction with Gulfside and Star Lake trails,

just below Madison Spring Hut. In 10 yd. Air Line Cutoff divergesleft.to the junction of Air Line Cutoff 44° 19' 41" 71° 17' 01"

0.50 mi 16 min -619 ft on Valley Way7.74 mi 6 hr 36 min +2853 ft Valley Way swings down into the scrub close to Snyder Brook.

The descent becomes steep and rough. The trail swings awayfrom, then back towards, the stream, and continues steeply downto a junction with Upper Bruin, which branches steeply left,leading to Air Line at the lower end of the Knife-edge.to the junction of Upper Bruin 44° 19' 59" 71° 17' 11"

leaving alpine zone

0.06 mi 2 min -37 ft on Valley Way7.80 mi 6 hr 38 min +2816 ft Valley Way passes a spring to the left of the trail, and soon a side

path on the left leads 150 yd. to the Valley Way Campsite.to the junction of Valley Way Tentsite access 44° 20' 01" 71° 17' 11"

0.07 mi 3 min -12 ft on Valley Way Tentsite access7.87 mi 6 hr 41 min +2804 ft

to Valley Way Campsite 44° 20' 05" 71° 17' 14"

0.07 mi 4 min +12 ft on Valley Way Tentsite access7.94 mi 6 hr 45 min +2816 ft


0.06 mi 3 min +37 ft on Valley Way8.00 mi 6 hr 48 min +2853 ft Soon the trail passes a spring to the right of the trail. Upper Bruin

branches steeply right, leading to Air Line at the lower end of theKnife-edge.to the junction of Upper Bruin 44° 19' 59" 71° 17' 11"

6



entering alpine zone

0.50 mi 35 min +619 ft on Valley Way8.50 mi 7 hr 23 min +3472 ft Now Valley Way becomes steeper and approaches nearer to

Snyder Brook. High up in the scrub, the path swings to the right,away from the brook, then swings back toward the stream andemerges from the scrub close to the stream, reaching a junctionwith Air Line Cutoff 50 yd. below the hut.to the junction of Air Line Cutoff 44° 19' 41" 71° 17' 01"

0.01 mi 1 min +3 ft on Valley Way8.51 mi 7 hr 24 min +3475 ft Valley Way ends in another 10 yd. at a junction with Gulfside and

Star Lake trails.to the junction of Gulfside Trail 44° 19' 41" 71° 17' 01"





0.30 mi 20 min +357 ft on Gulfside Trail8.85 mi 7 hr 46 min +3832 ft Gulfside Trail then aims to the right (north) of Mt. Quincy Adams

and ascends its steep, open north slope. At the top of this slope,on the high plateau between King Ravine and Mt. Quincy Adams,it is joined from the right by Air Line, which has just been joined byKing Ravine Trail. Here, you have striking views back to Mt.Madison, and into King Ravine at the Gateway a short distancedown on the right.to the junction of Air Line 44° 19' 34" 71° 17' 15"

0.06 mi 2 min +10 ft on Gulfside Trail8.91 mi 7 hr 48 min +3842 ft Gulfside Trail and Air Line coincide for less than 100 yd., then Air

Line branches left toward the summit of Mt. Adams.to the junction of Air Line 44° 19' 33" 71° 17' 18"

0.60 mi 29 min +350 ft on Gulfside Trail9.51 mi 8 hr 17 min +4192 ft Much of Gulfside Trail for about the next 0.5 mi. is paved with

carefully placed stones. It rises moderately southwest, thenbecomes steeper, and reaches a grassy lawn in the saddle (5,490ft.) between Mt. Adams and Mt. Sam Adams. Here several trailsintersect at a spot called Thunderstorm Junction, marked by alarge and prominent cairn. Entering the junction on the right isGreat Gully Trail, coming up across the slope from the southwestcorner of King Ravine. Here, also, Gulfside Trail is crossed byLowe’s Path, ascending from Lowe’s Store on US 2 to the summitof Mt. Adams. About 100 yd. down Lowe’s Path, Spur Trailbranches right for Crag Camp. The summit of Mt. Adams is about0.3 mi. from the junction (left) via Lowe’s Path.to Thunderstorm Junction 44° 19' 18" 71° 17' 47"

0.07 mi 2 min -19 ft on Gulfside Trail9.58 mi 8 hr 19 min +4172 ft Continuing southwest from Thunderstorm Junction and beginning

to descend, Gulfside Trail passes a junction on the left with IsraelRidge Path, which ascends a short distance to Lowe’s Path andthence to the summit of Mt. Adams.to the junction of Israel Ridge Path 44° 19' 14" 71° 17' 49"

0.50 mi 17 min -225 ft on Gulfside Trail10.08 mi 8 hr 36 min +3948 ft Gulfside Trail and Israel Ridge Path coincide, passing Peabody

Spring (unreliable) just to the right in a small, grassy flat; more-reliable water is located a short distance beyond at the base of aconspicuous boulder just to the left of the path. Soon the trailclimbs easily across a small ridge, where Israel Ridge Pathdiverges right.to the junction of Israel Ridge Path 44° 19' 01" 71° 18' 17"

0.70 mi 22 min -312 ft on Gulfside Trail

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10.78 mi 8 hr 58 min +3635 ft Near this junction in wet weather there is a small pool calledStorm Lake. Gulfside Trail bears a bit left toward the edge ofJefferson Ravine, and, always leading toward Mt. Jefferson,descends southwest along the narrow ridge that divides JeffersonRavine from Castle Ravine, near the edge of the southeast cliffs,from which there are fine views into the Great Gulf. This part ofGulfside Trail was never graded. At the end of this descent, thetrail reaches Edmands Col. At Edmands Col (4,938 ft.) is a bronzetablet in memory of J. Rayner Edmands, who made most of thegraded paths on the Northern Peaks. Gulfside Spring is 50 yd.south of the col on Edmands Col Cutoff, and Spaulding Spring(reliable) is 0.1 mi. north along Randolph Path near its jct. withCastle Ravine Trail and the Cornice. The emergency shelter oncelocated at this col has been dismantled, and none of the trailsleaving this area are entirely satisfactory escape routes in badweather. From the col, Edmands Col Cutoff leads south, enteringscrub almost immediately, affording the quickest route to thisrough form of shelter in dangerous weather; it then continuesabout 0.5 mi. to Six Husbands Trail leading down into the GreatGulf, but it is very rough, and Six Husbands Trail is very difficult todescend, making it a far less than ideal escape route unless theseverity of the weather leaves no choice. Randolph Path leadsnorth into the Randolph Valley, running above treeline with greatexposure to northwest winds for more than 0.5 mi. This isnevertheless probably the fastest, safest route to civilizationunless high winds make it too dangerous to cross throughEdmands Col. Branching from Randolph Path, 0.1 mi. north of thecol, are the Cornice, a very rough trail leading west entirely abovetreeline to Castle Trail, and Castle Ravine Trail, which descendssteeply over very loose talus and may be hard to follow.to Edmands Col 44° 18' 37" 71° 18' 44"

0.20 mi 14 min +249 ft on Gulfside Trail10.98 mi 9 hr 12 min +3884 ft South of Edmands Col, Gulfside Trail ascends steeply over rough

rocks, with Jefferson Ravine on the left. It passes flat-toppedDingmaul Rock, from which there is a good view down the ravine,with Mt. Adams on the left. This rock is named for a legendaryalpine beast to which it is reputed to bear a remarkableresemblance—the more remarkable because there has neverbeen a verified sighting of the beast. About 100 yd. beyond, Mt.Jefferson Loop branches right and leads to the summit of Mt.Jefferson (5,716 ft.). The views from the summit are excellent,and Mt. Jefferson Loop is only slightly longer than the parallelsection of Gulfside Trail, though it requires about 300 ft. of extraclimbing and about 10 min. more hiking time.to the junction of Mt Jefferson Loop 44° 18' 29" 71° 18' 47"

0.33 mi 23 min +423 ft on Mt Jefferson Loop11.31 mi 9 hr 35 min +4307 ft This trail provides access to the summit of Mt. Jefferson from

Gulfside Trail.The trail diverges right (southwest) from Gulfside Trail, 0.2 mi.south of Edmands Col, and climbs steeply up the slope. Justbelow the summit, Six Husbands Trail enters on the left.to the junction of Six Husbands Trail 44° 18' 18" 71° 18' 56"

0.06 mi 4 min +72 ft on Mt Jefferson Loop11.37 mi 9 hr 39 min +4379 ft Then Castle Trail enters on the right.

to the junction of Castle Trail 44° 18' 16" 71° 18' 59"

0.01 mi 1 min +4 ft on Mt Jefferson Loop11.38 mi 9 hr 40 min +4383 ft Soon the junction with Caps Ridge Trail is reached at the base of

the summit crag. The true summit is 40 yd. right (west) on CapsRidge Trail; the high point is reached by a short scramble up tothe right.to the junction of Caps Ridge Trail 44° 18' 15" 71° 18' 59"

0.02 mi 1 min +21 ft on Caps Ridge Trail

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11.40 mi 9 hr 41 min +4404 ft The Caps Ridge Trail makes a direct ascent of Mt. Jefferson fromthe height-of-land (3,008 ft.) on the road through Jefferson Notch,the pass between Mt. Jefferson and the Dartmouth Range. (Thisroad is closed in winter.) This is the highest trailhead on a publicthrough-road in the White Mountains, making it possible to ascendMt. Jefferson with much less elevation gain than on any other trailto a Presidential peak over 5,000 ft., except for a few trails thatbegin high on the Mt. Washington Auto Rd. However, the CapsRidge Trail is steep and rough with numerous ledges that requirerock scrambling and are slippery when wet, and the upper part isvery exposed to weather. Therefore, the route is more strenuousthan might be anticipated from the relatively small distance andelevation gain. (One should take note that it is not easier toascend Mt. Washington via the Caps Ridge Trail than via theJewell Trail because the descent from Monticello Lawn to SphinxCol mostly cancels out the advantage of the higher start.)The Caps Ridge Trail starts 40 yd. east of the summit of Mt.Jefferson, at a junction with the Mt. Jefferson Loop, just abovethat trail's junction with the Castle Trail. It ascends to a point nearthe summit of Mt. Jefferson (the high point is reached by a shortscramble to the right), then descends steadily slightly south ofwest, keeping a little south of the crest of the ridge. At the base ofthe summit cone the Cornice enters left, providing an easyshortcut to Gulfside Trail at Monticello Lawn, and points to thesouth.to Mt Jefferson 44° 18' 15" 71° 19' 00"

0.02 mi 1 min -21 ft on Caps Ridge Trail11.42 mi 9 hr 42 min +4383 ft The Caps Ridge Trail continues climbing steadily northeast,

keeping a little south of the crest of the ridge, to the summit of Mt.Jefferson (the high point is reached by a short scramble to theleft), then descends east 40 yd. to the base of the little conicalsummit crag, where it meets the Mt. Jefferson Loop just above thelatter trail's junction with the Castle Trail.to the junction of Mt Jefferson Loop 44° 18' 15" 71° 18' 59"

0.30 mi 9 min -295 ft on Mt Jefferson Loop11.72 mi 9 hr 51 min +4087 ft Mt. Jefferson Loop then heads slightly east of south and

descends moderately, with reasonably good footing, to rejoinGulfside Trail on Monticello Lawn.to the junction of Gulfside Trail 44° 18' 02" 71° 18' 53"

0.19 mi 6 min -119 ft on Gulfside Trail11.91 mi 9 hr 57 min +3968 ft A short distance beyond the edge of the lawn, the Cornice enters

right from Caps Ridge Trail.to the junction of The Cornice 44° 17' 54" 71° 18' 59"

0.50 mi 16 min -297 ft on Gulfside Trail12.41 mi 10 hr 13

min+3671 ft Gulfside Trail descends to the south, and from one point, there is

a view of the Sphinx down the slope to the left. A few yards northof the low point in Sphinx Col, Sphinx Trail branches left (east)into the Great Gulf through a grassy passage between ledges.Sphinx Col is left to the summit of Mt. Washington. In badweather, a fairly quick descent to sheltering scrub can be madevia Sphinx Trail, though once treeline is reached this trailbecomes rather steep and difficult.to the junction of Sphinx Trail 44° 17' 35" 71° 19' 04"

0.10 mi 4 min +35 ft on Gulfside Trail12.51 mi 10 hr 17

min+3706 ft From Sphinx Col the path leads toward Mt. Washington, and soon

Mt. Clay Loop diverges left to climb over the summits of Mt. Clay,with impressive views into the Great Gulf. Mt. Clay Loop addsabout 300 ft. of climbing and 10 min.; the distance is about thesame. Gulfside Trail is slightly easier and passes close to aspring, but misses the best views.to Sphinx Col 44° 17' 29" 71° 19' 01"


min+4103 ft Gulfside Trail bears right from the junction with Mt. Clay Loop,

runs south, and climbs moderately, angling up the west side of Mt.Clay. A loop leads to water a few steps down to the right. The sidepath continues about 30 yd. farther to Greenough Spring (morereliable), then rejoins Gulfside Trail about 100 yd. above its exitpoint. Gulfside Trail continues its moderate ascent, and JewellTrail from the Cog Railway Base Rd. enters from the right.to the junction of Jewell Trail 44° 16' 56" 71° 19' 00"

9



0.30 mi 11 min -12 ft on Gulfside Trail13.41 mi 10 hr 59

min+4091 ft From this junction, the ridge crest of Mt. Clay can be reached in

good weather by a short scramble up the rocks without a trail.Gulfside Trail swings southeast and soon descends slightly to apoint near the Clay-Washington col (5,391 ft.), where Mt. ClayLoop rejoins it from the left.to the junction of Mt Clay Loop 44° 16' 43" 71° 18' 48"

0.10 mi 6 min +112 ft on Gulfside Trail13.51 mi 11 hr 5 min +4203 ft The path continues southeast, rising gradually on Mt. Washington.

About 0.1 mi. above the col, Westside Trail branches right,crosses under the Cog Railway, and leads to Crawford Path andLakes of the Clouds Hut.to the junction of Westside Trail 44° 16' 39" 71° 18' 44"


min+4623 ft Gulfside Trail continues southeast between the Cog Railway on

the right and the edge of the gulf on the left, with magnificentviews into the gulf and across to the Northern Peaks. If the path islost, the railway can be followed to the summit. At the extremesouth corner of the gulf, Great Gulf Trail joins Gulfside Trail fromthe left.to the junction of Great Gulf Trail 44° 16' 29" 71° 18' 17"


min+4799 ft Here Gulfside Trail turns sharp right, crosses the railroad, and

continues south to the plateau just west of the summit. Here itpasses a junction with Trinity Heights Connector, a link in the AT,which branches left and climbs to the true summit of Mt.Washington.to the junction of Trinity Heights Connector 44° 16' 19" 71° 18' 20"


min+4852 ft Gulfside then meets Crawford Path.

to the junction of Crawford Path 44° 16' 15" 71° 18' 20"


min+4960 ft Now coinciding with Crawford Path, Gulfside Trail turns left and

passes through the old corral (outlined by rock walls) in whichsaddle horses from the Glen House used to be kept. Thecombined trails then swing left (north) and lead between theYankee Building and Tip Top House on the left and the StageOffice and Cog Railway track on the right. The summit, marked bya sign, is an outcrop between the Tip Top House and theSherman Adams summit building.to the junction of Crawford Path, Crawford Path to Mt Washingtonsummit

44° 16' 12" 71° 18' 14"

0.07 mi 3 min +22 ft on Crawford Path to Mt Washington summit14.58 mi 12 hr 1 min +4983 ft At the summit of Mount Washington, the Crawford Path traverses

a gravel area amongst the several buildings, providing access tothe summit cairn between the Sherman Adams Summit Buildingand the historic Tip Top House.The Crawford Path (AT northbound) passes to the left of acommunications tower into an open gravel area surrounded bybuildings. Just past the stone Tip Top House on the left, a shortscramble up the rocks leads to the summit cairn.to Mt Washington 44° 16' 14" 71° 18' 12"

0.20 mi 6 min -182 ft on Trinity Heights Connector14.78 mi 12 hr 7 min +4801 ft This trail was created to allow the AT to make a loop over the

summit of Mt. Washington; formerly the true summit was a sidetrip, albeit a very short one, from the AT, so technically the AT didnot pass over it.From the true summit (marked by a large sign), the path runsapproximately northwest over the rocks to the Gulfside Trail, northof its junction with the Crawford Path.to the junction of Gulfside Trail 44° 16' 19" 71° 18' 20"


min+4853 ft Gulfside then meets Crawford Path.

to the junction of Crawford Path 44° 16' 15" 71° 18' 20"

10



Due to hazardous conditions (heavy trail and bridge damages) DryRiver Trail is closed until further notice.

0.40 mi 12 min -524 ft on Crawford Path15.28 mi 12 hr 24

min+4329 ft This trail is considered the oldest continuously maintained

footpath in the United States. The first section, leading up Mt.Pierce (Mt. Clinton), was cut in 1819 by Abel Crawford and hisson Ethan Allen Crawford. In 1840, Thomas J. Crawford, ayounger son of Abel, converted the footpath into a bridle path, butmore than a century has passed since it was used regularly forascents on horseback. The trail still mostly follows the originalpath,except for the section between Mt. Monroe and Westside Trail,which was relocated to take Crawford Path off the windsweptridge and down past the shelter at Lakes of the Clouds. From thejct. just north of Mt. Pierce to the summit of Mt. Washington,Crawford Path is part of the AT and is blazed in white.Caution: Parts of this trail are dangerous in bad weather. Severallives have been lost on Crawford Path because of failure toobserve proper precautions. Below Mt. Eisenhower, a number ofledges are exposed to the weather, but they are scattered, andshelter is usually available in nearby scrub. From the Eisenhower-Franklin col, the trail runs completely above treeline, exposed tothe full force of all storms. The most dangerous part of the path isthe section on the cone of Mt. Washington, beyond Lakes of theClouds Hut. Always carry a compass and study the map beforestarting. If trouble arises on or above Mt. Monroe, take refuge atLakes of the Clouds Hut or go down Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail.The Crawford Path is well marked above treeline with largecairns; in poor visibility, great care should be exercised to stay onit because many of the other paths in the vicinity are much lessclearly marked. If the path is lost in bad weather and cannot befound again after diligent effort, one should travel west,descending into the woods and following streams downhill to theroads. On the southeast, toward the Dry River valley, nearly allthe slopes are more precipitous, the river crossings are potentiallydangerous, and the distance to a highway is much greater.The main parking area for the south end of Crawford Path islocated on the west side of Mt. Clinton Rd. 0.1 mi. north of its jct.with US 302. The former parking lot on US 302 has been closed,and Crawford Path hikers are requested to use the Mt. Clinton Rd.lot because the parking spaces at other lots in the area areneeded for the trails that originate from those lots. For historicalreasons, the name Crawford Path continues to be attachedto the old route of the trail that leads directly from US 302, andthe short path that connects Crawford Path to the Mt. Clinton Rd.parking lot is called Crawford Connector. In the descriptions thatfollow, the trail is described from its original trailhead on US 302across from the Highland Center.Here Crawford Path turns sharp left and zigzags downwardthrough a trench in the rocks. It runs generally south down thesteep cone. At the bottom of the descent, Westside Trail, ashortcut to the Northern Peaks, diverges sharply right.to the junction of Westside Trail 44° 15' 59" 71° 18' 30"


min+4307 ft In another 50 yd., Davis Path diverges left, following the original,

less sheltered route of Crawford Path.to the junction of Davis Path 44° 15' 58" 71° 18' 30"


min+3818 ft Crawford Path now descends moderately on the northwest side of

the ridge, always some distance below the crest. TuckermanCrossover and Camel Trail enter on the left at the same point justbefore the trail reaches the Lakes of the Clouds.to the junction of Tuckerman Crossover, Camel Trail 44° 15' 33" 71° 18' 58"


min+3729 ft Crawford Path then passes between the lakes, crosses the outlet

of the larger lake, and reaches Lakes of the Clouds Hut, whereDry River Trail enters on the left.to the junction of Dry River Trail 44° 15' 32" 71° 19' 07"

0.02 mi 1 min -1 ft on Crawford Path

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16.18 mi 12 hr 52min

+3727 ft In another 30 yd., Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail enters on the right atthe corner of the hut.to AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut 44° 15' 31" 71° 19' 09"

0.10 mi 4 min +45 ft on Crawford Path16.28 mi 12 hr 56

min+3772 ft Crawford Path now climbs easily up to the base of Mt. Monroe,

where the north end of Mt. Monroe Loop diverges right to crossboth summits of Monroe, affording excellent views. The loop overthe summits is about the same length as the parallel section of theCrawford Path but requires about 350 ft. more climbing. TheCrawford Path is safer in inclement conditions, because it is muchless exposed to the weather.to the junction of Mt Monroe Loop 44° 15' 27" 71° 19' 08"

0.30 mi 18 min +291 ft on Mt Monroe Loop16.58 mi 13 hr 14

min+4064 ft This short trail runs parallel to the Crawford Path and passes over

the summits of Mt. Monroe and Little Monroe. The views are fine,but parts of Mt. Monroe Loop are rough, and the summits are veryexposed to the weather.From Crawford Path, 0.1 mi. south of Lakes of the Clouds Hut, Mt.Monroe Loop rises sharply, then follows the northeast shoulder tothe summit of Mt. Monroe.to Mt Monroe 44° 15' 18" 71° 19' 17"

0.40 mi 14 min -305 ft on Mt Monroe Loop16.98 mi 13 hr 28

min+3758 ft The trail descends steeply over boulder fields from the summit of

Mt. Monroe and reaches a shallow, grassy sag. It ascends theminor crag called Little Monroe and then quickly descends toCrawford Path.to the junction of Crawford Path 44° 15' 12" 71° 19' 36"

1.20 mi 39 min -595 ft on Crawford Path18.18 mi 14 hr 7 min +3164 ft Crawford Path continues along the flat ridge, passing a jct. with an

unmarked path on the left that leads in 130 yd. to the barelynoticeable summit of Mt. Franklin (cairn), from which there areexcellent views, particularly into Oakes Gulf. Crawford Path bearsright and downhill at this jct. as the side path diverges left anduphill.) It continues along relatively level shoulder, with minorascents and descents. The trail then drops rather steeply off theend of the shoulder, then descends moderately to the sag,passing ledges with excellent views back to Dry River valley andMt. Eisenhower, and reaches a jct. on the left with Mt. EisenhowerTrail in the sag between Mt. Franklin and Mt. Eisenhower.to the junction of Mt Eisenhower Trail 44° 14' 36" 71° 20' 30"


min+3140 ft Soon Mt. Eisenhower Loop leaves on the right on a small ledge

overlooking Red Pond, a small alpine tarn with little water. TheEdmands Path can be reached from this junction by following theMt. Eisenhower Loop for a short distance. The trip over thissummit adds only 0.2 mi. and 300 ft. of climbing and providesexcellent views in good weather.to the junction of Mt Eisenhower Loop 44° 14' 33" 71° 20' 41"

0.02 mi 1 min -5 ft on Mt Eisenhower Loop18.40 mi 14 hr 15

min+3134 ft This short trail parallels Crawford Path, climbing over the bare, flat

summit of Mt. Eisenhower, which provides magnificent views. In2009 the AMC trail crew installed new wooden steps and ladderson the trail.From its northern junction with Crawford Path on a small, rockyknob, Mt. Eisenhower Loop descends briefly to a junction on theright with Edmands Path.to the junction of Edmands Path 44° 14' 33" 71° 20' 42"

0.38 mi 21 min +330 ft on Mt Eisenhower Loop18.78 mi 14 hr 36

min+3464 ft It descends briefly, passes through a grassy sag just to the right

of Red Pond (more a bog than a pond) and then ascends steeplyby switchbacks over ledges to a ledge overlooking Red Pond. Itcontinues to ascend moderately to the summit.to Mt Eisenhower 44° 14' 26" 71° 21' 01"

0.40 mi 12 min -353 ft on Mt Eisenhower Loop

12



19.18 mi 14 hr 48min

+3112 ft From the summit, it descends steadily and then turns sharply rightin a flat area. It then descends easily and reaches its southernjunction with Crawford Path at the south edge of the summitdome.to the junction of Crawford Path 44° 14' 14" 71° 21' 03"


min+2933 ft From Mt. Eisenhower to Mt. Pierce, Crawford Path winds about,

heading generally in a southwesterly direction, staying farilynearly the poorly defined crest of the broad ridge, which iscomposed of several rounded humps. It descends mainly onledges at first, crosses a small stream in the col, then ascends toa junction with Webster Cliff Trail, which leads left (south) to thesummit of Mt. Pierce in about 0.1 mi.to the junction of Webster Cliff Trail 44° 13' 40" 71° 21' 53"

leaving alpine zone

0.09 mi 4 min +56 ft on Webster Cliff Trail20.47 mi 15 hr 38

min+2989 ft This trail, a part of the AT, leaves the east side of US 302

opposite WilleyHouse Station Rd., 1.0 mi. south of the Willey House site. Theparkingarea is a stop for the AMC Hiker Shuttle. The trail ascends alongthe edgeof the spectacular cliffs that form the east wall of Crawford Notch,passingnumerous viewpoints, then leads over Mts. Webster, Jackson,and Pierce toCrawford Path just north of Mt. Pierce. The section of trailascendingto Mt. Webster is more difficult and tiring than the statistics wouldsuggest,with a number of ledge scrambles interspersed through the ascentalong the top of the cliffs.From its junction with the Crawford Path, the Webster Cliff Trailascends moderately in a southwest direction over open terrain tothe summit of Mt. Pierce.to Mt Pierce 44° 13' 37" 71° 21' 57"

0.80 mi 25 min -494 ft on Webster Cliff Trail21.27 mi 16 hr 3 min +2495 ft It descends easily through the scrub to a sag, then climbs to the

southwest knob of Mt. Pierce, which affords a view of the summitof Mt. Washington rising over Mt. Pierce. The trail then takes asharp left turn in a ledgy area and reaches an open ledge withgood views south and west. It then descends a steep, roughsection with two ladders. Mizpah Spring Hut (where there are alsotentsites for backpackers) is reached, and the Mt. Clinton Trail tothe Dry River valley diverges left(southeast), headed diagonallydown the hut clearing.to AMC Mizpah Spring Hut 44° 13' 09" 71° 22' 11"

0.10 mi 4 min +18 ft on Webster Cliff Trail21.37 mi 16 hr 7 min +2513 ft Webster Cliff Trail ascends gradually to the junction with the

Mizpah Cutoff, which leads right (west) to Crawford Path.to the junction of Mizpah Cutoff 44° 13' 09" 71° 22' 15"

1.60 mi 1 hr 4 min +226 ft on Webster Cliff Trail22.97 mi 17 hr 11

min+2739 ft The trail descends gradually, then continues up and down over a

hump along the ridge towards Mt. Jackson. It then ascends to andwinds through open alpine meadows with views of Mt.Washington and Mt. Jackson before it starts to climb toward thesummit of Mt. Jackson. The trail ascends the north end of thecone, leaving the scrub and climbing very steeply over openledges. It follows a line of cairns leading south to the summit ofMt. Jackson, where the Jackson Branch of the Webster-JacksonTrail diverges to the right.to Mt Jackson 44° 12' 12" 71° 22' 32"

1.20 mi 37 min -1265 ft on Webster-Jackson Trail

13



24.17 mi 17 hr 48min

+1474 ft This trail connects US 302 at a small parking area just south ofthe Macomber Family Information Center (Crawford Depot) withthe summits of both Mt. Webster and Mt. Jackson, and providesthe opportunity for an interesting loop trip, because the twosummits are linked by the Webster Cliff Trail. Sections of theWebster-Jackson Trail are steep and rough.From the summit of Mt. Jackson, the Jackson branch of the trailleads west down the right edge of a steep ledge slab. It continuesdown over steep ledges, with several fairly difficult scrambles. Thetrail swings to the left, and a short distance below the base of therocky summit cone, it passes Tisdale Spring (unreliable, oftenscanty and muddy). It descends steadily, then crosses threebranches of Silver Cascade Brook in quick succession. Itcontinues to descend moderately, then gradually to the junctionwith the Webster branch.

0.80 mi 30 min -329 ft on Webster-Jackson Trail24.97 mi 18 hr 18

min+1145 ft From the junction of the Webster branch and the Jackson branch,

the trail descends gradually, crosses Flume Cascade Brook, andcontinues descending across the slope, with two short ascents. Itreaches a junction with a side path that leads left 60 yd. to BugleCliff. This is a massive ledge overlooking Crawford Notch, wherethe view is well worth the slight extra effort required; if ice ispresent, exercise extreme caution.to the junction of Bugle Cliff spur 44° 12' 44" 71° 24' 05"


min+679 ft Continuing from the junction with the side path to Bugle Cliff, the

trail crosses Little Mossy Brook, then angles down themountainside, nearly level stretches alternating with sharpdownhill pitches. It turns left and descends along the south bankof Elephant Head Brook, and reaches a junction where a sidepath leads left to Elephant Head. (Elephant Head is an interestingledge that formsthe east side of the Gate of the Notch, a mass of gray rock stripedwithveins of white quartz providing a remarkable likeness to anelephant’s headand trunk. The path runs through the woods parallel to thehighway at aneasy grade, then ascends across the summit of the knob anddescends 40yd. to the top of the ledge, which overlooks Crawford Notch andaffordsfine views.)to the junction of Elephant Head Spur 44° 12' 58" 71° 24' 24"


min+612 ft The main trail continues down, then emerges from the woods and

runs through a clearing, ending at the east side of US 302.to Webster-Jackson Trailhead 44° 12' 55" 71° 24' 28"This trail connects US 302 at a small parking area just south ofthe Macomber Family Information Center (Crawford Depot) withthe summits of both Mt. Webster and Mt. Jackson. The trail,blazed in blue, leaves the east side of US 302 0.1 mi. south of theCrawford Depot and 0.1 mi. north of the Gate of the Notch.

25.57 mi 18 hr 36min

+612 ft Totals

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Disclaimer

The use of this content is at your own risk. You acknowledge that (i) hiking, climbing and camping and related outdoor

activities entail inherent risks and hazards, (ii) that conditions are variable and the content does not purport to be error-free

or up to date, (iii) the presence of some warnings does not mean that all dangerous situations or changes in conditions will

result in warnings on the AMC Site (and, thus, in this report), and (iv) ratings are very general, assume good weather and

trail conditions and good physical fitness and constitute only one factor of many in a decision to hike a trail.

Important Phone Numbers

Emergency 911

Appalachian Mountain Club Pinkham Notch Visitor Center 603-466-2721

AMC Reservations (huts, lodges) 603-466-2727

U.S. Forest Service 603-528-8721

National Weather Service 603-225-5191

Additional WMNF Information

Camping is allowed anywhere in the WMNF, but is prohibited or restricted in Forest Protection Areas (FPAs). Generally,

in Forest Protection Areas no camping is permitted above treeline (where trees are less than 8 feet tall), within ¼ mile of a

trailhead or road, within 200 feet of a trail.

Wilderness Areas

In accordance with USFS Wilderness policy, trails in designated Wilderness areas are generally maintained to a lower

standard than trails outside Wilderness. They may be rough, overgrown or essentially unmarked with minimal signage,

and considerable care may be required to follow them. Hiking and camping group size must be no larger than 10 people.

Camping and fires are also prohibited above treeline (where trees are less than 8 feet tall) except in winter, when camping

is permitted above treeline in places where snow cover is at least 2 feet, but not on any frozen body of water.

Alpine Zone

Hikers are encouraged to be particularly careful in their activities above treeline because the plants that grow there already

have to cope with the severity of the environment. No plants should ever be picked or otherwise damaged. Hikers are

urged to stay on trails or walk very carefully on rocks so as not to kill fragile alpine vegetation. AMC urges hikers to

become citizen-scientists and help AMC in alpine plant monitoring – see www.outdoors.org/mountainwatch for details.

Safety Tips from the Appalachian Mountain Club

Here's the essential clothing and gear you need — even for a day hike — in the Northeast's mountains

in the spring, summer, or fall. Always check the weather and prepare for the worst conditions;

make plans with your group's abilities in mind; and plan an alternate route in case of bad

weather, injury, illness, or slower than expected travel time.

Avoiding Hypothermia: Hypothermia can occur when your core body temperature falls below normal. This can easily

happen when you are exposed to cold winds or wetness.

You can avoid hypothermia if you guard against dehydration, fatigue, cold winds, and wet clothes. Be sure to:

� Dress warmly, in layers.

� Stay dry.

� Protect yourself from wind, rain, and snow. (This can be done most effectively by wearing clothes that block wind

and moisture.)

� Eat high-energy snacks and drink plenty of water.

� Do not over-exert.

� Pack essential gear, even on day hikes.

Essential Gear: Be sure to wear or bring the following:

Wool sweater or synthetic pile jacket * Hat * Gloves or mittens

Bandanna or handkerchief * Long pants (avoid cotton)

Wind and rain gear (jacket and pants)

15

Extra socks * Sturdy boots * Polypropylene or wool underwear

First-aid kit * Waterproof matches. * Whistle * Knife.

Guidebook, trail map, and compass. * High-energy snacks.

Two to four quarts of water, per person. * Flashlight or headlamp with fresh batteries.

Sunscreen. * Insect repellent. * Plastic trash bags

Consider carrying a sleeping bag in case you are forced to sleep out overnight. If you're traveling in a group, carry at least

one sleeping bag. It is an emergency tool that can keep an injured hiker warm until help arrives.

For more advice on preparing for your next hike, see: www.outdoors.org/recreation/plan.

AMC offers over 8,000 outdoor programs each year, offers a wide range of educational programs, and maintains over

1,700 miles of trails in the Northeast. Most of all, we rely on the support of hikers like you. To join, visit

www.outdoors.org/membership.

AMC recommends hikers follow the hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code, and minimize their impact on the backcountry

by following Leave No Trace principles.

hikeSafe Hiker Responsibility Code

You are responsible for yourself, so be prepared:

With knowledge and gear. Become self reliant by learning about the terrain, conditions, local weather

and your equipment before you start.

To leave your plans. Tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return

and your emergency plans.

To stay together. When you start as a group, hike as a group, end as a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.

To turn back. Weather changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and unexpected conditions can also affect your hike.

Know your limitations and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.

For emergencies. Even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life

threatening. Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.

To share the hiker code with others.

hikeSafe: It’s Your Responsibility. To learn more, see: www.hikesafe.com

The Hiker Responsibility Code was developed and is endorsed by the White Mountain National Forest and New

Hampshire Fish and Game.

Leave No Trace principles to minimize backcountry impact

Plan ahead and prepare. Know the terrain and any regulations applicable to the area you're planning

to visit, and be prepared for extreme weather or other emergencies. Small groups have less impact on

resources than large ones.

Travel and camp on durable surfaces, which include established trails and campsites, rock, gravel, dry grasses, or snow. Camp at least 200 feet from lakes and streams, and focus activities on

areas where vegetation is absent.

Dispose of waste properly. Pack it in, pack it out. To wash yourself or your dishes, carry water 200 feet away from

streams or lakes and use small amounts of biodegradable soap. Scatter strained dishwater.

Leave what you find. Cultural or historic artifacts, as well as natural objects such as plants or rocks, should be left as

found.

Minimize campfire impacts. Cook on a stove. If a campfire is built, keep it small and use dead sticks found on the

ground. Use established fire rings, fire pans, or mound fires.

Respect wildlife. View critters from a distance. Feeding wildlife alters their natural behavior.

Be considerate of other visitors. Be courteous, respect the quality of other visitors' backcountry experience, and let the

natural sounds of the forest prevail.

The AMC partners with Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics , to provide Leave No Trace training in the East. For

more on our LNT Master Educator training, see http://www.outdoors.org/recreation/leadership.

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amc july 29, 2014 3-day-presitraverse -...

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