Hiking the Highpoint of New Hampshire

This was my fifth hike of the New England Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge, up Mount Washington via the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail. This route is short and steep, climbing 3,527 vertical feet in just 3.55 miles. It’s beautiful, and the weather was muggy but otherwise perfect.

The trail itself is rocky with sections of Class 2 scrambling as you ascend along the brook, sometimes climbing across or even up the cascades. The trail was in as good a condition as it could be. . There were a few muddy and slick patches, but nothing too serious.

I stopped briefly at the Lakes of the Clouds shelter (another really nice shelter). From this point, you are above the tree line and the trail is more gradual, traveling on the Appalachian Trail.

The summit was super-crowded with tourists, even though it was a Monday. Clouds shrouded the views mostly, but occasionally we’d get glimpse of the White Mountains.

Took the Cog Railway one way down the mountain ($41) to save my knees for peak number six!

Afterwards, we stopped in Bethlehem at Rek-lis Brewing for lunch (recommended).