Our trip began with a night spent at the Joe Dodge Lodge.
A hot pre hike breakfast was had at the lodge.
Then it was on to the trail and head for the summit!
We took our first real break at the Hermit shelter, about half way to the summit.
The first sight of Tuckermans ravine was from the shelter, and it was beautiful!
We had a chat with the caretaker then eaded for the ravine.
The trail into the ravine was steep in parts, just as the rest of the trail had been. We saw a cache of first aid supplies, presumably for the skiers.
Despite the fact that it was the end of June, there was still snow against the headwall.
Water had eroded beneath the snow, leaving an arch.
As we ascended the headwall, it began to rain. That did not spoil the view of all the alpine flowers in bloom.
We climbed into the clouds, which came and went. These two pictures we taken seconds apart.
We made it to the summit in about 4 hours. 4.2 miles, 4200' vertical. Not bad!
We rewarded ourselves with some hot soup.
And by the time lunch was done, the summit had cleared considerably.
We stopped in the Tip Top house, once a hotel at the summit.
We then hit the trail and made our way down to Lakes of the Clouds hut
Once at the hut, we claimed out bunks, dumped our packs, and quickly summited Monroe.
Aaah, a hot dinner at the hut!
It turned out to me hutmasters' night at Lakes, a night when all the hutmasters gather at one hut. After dinner and chores some of them gathered on this rock outside the hut to ride the very strong wind and watch the sun set.
The next morning, and after a hot breakfast, we hit the trail for our descent.
Like the previous day, at the higher elevations it was quite foggy, cold and windy.
As we continued our descent we found ourselves below the clouds and in warmer weather. The trail continues down this ridge. Just above Josh's pack you can see the parking lot where our car is. A steep descent!
Boot Spur trail afforded some fine views of Tuckermans Ravine.
Split rock
The trail had a nifty ladder on it!
All done!
The lodge has a nice model of the range, on which our hike can been seen.
The lodge had a lovely painting of Tuckermans Ravine in the winter.
Last revised 7/7/2010
URL http://www.flyian.net/2010mwn/2010mwn.htm