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Joe Dodge/Lakes of Clouds 9/11-9/12/2009

Posted by Brian Bulman on Oct 11 2008 at 03:34PM PDT

HIKE 9/11 – 9/12/2009 – Pinkham Notch Joe Dodge Lodge Friday 9/11/2009 and Lakes of the Clouds Hut Saturday 9/12/2009

Lakes of the Clouds – 5050’

This is the most popular hut in the AMC system. It sleeps 90 people a night in several bunkrooms and has a croo of 8. It is located in the col between Mt.Monroe and Mt.Washington. The original structure was built in 1915 and is located near the larger of the two lakes.

The quickest access to the hut from the west is the Ammonoosuc Ravine trail which comes up from the Cog RR Base Road. From Pinkham Notch the quickest route is up through Tuckerman Ravine on the Tuckerman Ravine trail to the Tuckerman Ravine Crossover, or climbing over Boott Spur on the Boott Spur trail and taking the Camel trail to the hut.

The AT runs right past the hut, along the Crawford Path. The ridge runs south to Mizpah Springs Hut and north to Madison Springs Hut.

Call in your own reservation referencing North Hampton Hiking Club #118012 BEFORE 6/27/2009 @ (603) 466-2727 (only 35 spaces held til 6/27). Full refund up to 30 days prior to the event.

Cost (includes supper/breakfast)
9/11/09 Pinkham: 61.00+2.32tax
9/12/09 Lakes of Clouds: 99.00+4.32tax
Total Required:US $166.64 EACH

AMC RESERVATIONS
P.O. Box 298
Gorham, NH 03581
(603) 466-2727 (9-5, Monday – Saturday).
www.outdoors.org

You can download and print specific information and directions for your visit from these links
WHITE MOUNTAIN HUTS
http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/huts/before-you-go .cfm#huts

HIGHLAND CENTER AT CRAWFORD NOTCH:<BR>http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/highland/before-you-go.cfm
JOE DODGE LODGE AT PINKHAM NOTCH:
http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/pnvc/befor e-you-go.cfm

Getting to Lakes Of The Clouds Hut and Back

Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail
The shortest route, and the one with the least elevation gain, is by the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail (ow: 3.1 miles; 2,500 feet; 2:50). The trail is definitely not as easy as the numbers seem to imply. Above Gem Pool is a very steep section, it has reasonably good footing but is nevertheless aerobically challenging. This is followed by a less steep section that goes over many open ledges, which can be slippery when wet or icy. Starting at these ledges the trail has some fine views
The trail is in the trees almost to the hut, as a result it is the least exposed to the elements, and is the best way to leave the hut in bad weather

Ammonoosuc Ravine and Jewell Trail Loop: A very popular loop trip to Lakes Hut is done by going up the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail on the first day. On the second day climb Mount Washington by the Crawford Path, and return to the trailhead by the Jewell Trail (ow: 6.6 miles; 1,200 feet; 3:55). This trip does not return to the hut, so hikers must carry all their belongings up to the summit of Mount Washington on the second day.

Tuckerman’s Ravine Trail
This route (ow: 4.6 miles; 3,450 feet; 4:00) is more strenuous and more exposed than the one by the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, but also much more scenic.

The first two miles to the Hermit Lake Shelter follow a tractor road that is wide and moderately (but constantly!) steep. This is in the trees with only occasional views. From Hermit Lake on it is above the trees, with excellent views and corresponding exposure. First it ascends moderately to the floor of the ravine, then it ascends, much more steeply, up the headwall

At the top of the headwall the trail reaches Tuckerman Junction, where the Tuckerman Crossover Trail leads to the hut across the Bigelow Lawn
Taking the more scenic (and more strenuous) Lion’s Head Trail adds about 0.3 miles and no extra elevation gain

Crawford Path: This is a much longer route (ow: 7.0 miles; 3,450 feet; 5:15), though the grades are gentle almost the whole way. There are a few areas of scrub between Mount Pierce (formerly Clinton) and Mount Eisenhower, beyond the latter the trail is continuously exposed. In good weather that makes a spectacular trip. The reverse trip has little elevation gain (ow: 7.0 miles, 350 feet, 3:40).

Crawfords Path bypasses all of the summits, for Mount Pierce add about 0.2 miles with 100 feet of elevation gain (0:10), while Mount Eisenhower and Mount Monroe each add about 0.1 mile and 350 feet (0:15)

From the Mount Washington Summit: Many visitors who reach the summit of Mount Washington by car visit the hut and the area around it. The trip down is 1.5 miles each way, with 1,300 feet of elevation gain on the way back up (0:45 down; 1:25 up). For those not used to serious hiking the trip back up may be more challenging than anticipated.

Getting to Lakes Hut and Back Route Distance Elevation Gain Book Time:
Up by Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail 3.1 2,500 2:50
Up by Tuckerman’s Ravine Trail 4.6 3,450 4:00
Up by Crawfords Path 7.0 3,450 5:15
Addition for Mt. Eisenhower or Mt. Monroe 0.1 350 0:15
Addition for Mt. Pierce 0.2 100 0:10
Down (to hut) from summit 1.5 0 0:45
Down by Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail 3.1 0 1:35
Down by Jewell Trail (over Mt. Washington summit) 6.6 1,200 3:55
Down by Tuckerman’s Ravine Trail 4.6 100 2:20
Down by Crawford Path 7.0 350 3:40
Up (from hut) to summit 1.5 1,300 1:25

Hikes From Lakes Of The Clouds Hut
Mount Monroe : This is a short trip (rt: 0.8 miles; 350 feet; 0:35) that is often done after arriving at the hut and settling down, or after dinner

Mount Washington: The easiest way of climbing Mount Washington is as a two day trip, with a night spent at the Lakes Hut. The Crawford Path to the summit (rt: 3.0 miles; 1,300 feet; 2:10) is a good trail, with reasonable footing and grades. It is, of course, totally exposed to the elements, but when the weather is good the views are exceptional.

With access to Tuckerman Ravine and the Wildcat Range just outside your door, Joe Dodge Lodge provides the perfect opportunity to tackle more challenging terrain while offering beginner hikers, climbers, and skiers a chance to practice their skills. The Lodge is located on the Appalachian Trail in the White Mountain National Forest, just a short drive from North Conway, Jackson, and Gorham, NH, and Bethel, ME.

MT WASHINGTON IS AN AMAZING PLACE. THIS WILL BE A GREAT HIKE … DON’T MISS IT – Hike Commander BB

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