 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
| Home | Trail Descriptions | Articles | Links | Seasonal Tips | Forum |
In 1820, a group of dignitaries visited the summit of Mount Washington and named the next highest 4 peaks in reverse order of height for the only other 4 men to have then served as President of the United States, thus creating the Presidential Range. Unfortunately modern surveying technology has shown that the peak they named for the 5th president (James Monroe) is actually the 4th highest. This abrupt spur rises over Lakes of the Clouds SW of Mount Washington.
The Mount Monroe Loop is a short trail that loops over the summit of Mount Monroe, and is steeper and rougher than the Crawford Path which goes around. Almost the entire trail is above treeline with good views, but also no shelter from high winds or lightning so it should be avoided in stormy weather.
Distance: From Crawford Path SW of summit to Crawford Path NE of summit, about .7 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 400 feet northbound, about 350 feet southbound
Maps:
USGS Mount Washington
AMC Presidential Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map G-8
DeLorme NHA&G 44-B5/6 - Sargents Purchase
The trail is located NE of US Route 302 at Crawford Notch, between Twin Mountain and Conway
South End: Crawford Path about 6.2 miles from trailhead, elevation about 5030 feet
North End: Crawford Path about 6.9 miles from trailhead, elevation about 5070 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: AMC
Special regulations: No camping within 1/4 mi. of Hut, or above treeline if there is less than 2 feet of snow
From the SW junction with the Crawford Path, the Mount Monroe Loop climbs steeply to a rock outcrop on a spur of Mount Monroe, then crosses a grassy swale before another steep ascent to the pointed main summit at .4 miles. The trail then descends along the obvious NE ridge near the brink of a cliff before turning and descending more steeply to the NE junction with the Crawford Path at .7 miles. The AMC Lakes of the Clouds Hut is about .1 miles to the N (L).
Extensive snow drifting E of Mount Monroe may make it may be easier to go over the summit than fight the drifts on the Crawford Path
Hut closed off-season
Map Notes:
The connector shown on the USGS map from the summit of Mount Monroe S to the midpoint of the Crawford Path does not exist
The USGS map shows the NE junction with the Crawford Path in the wrong place: it is near the foot of the cone not at the hut
| Start a discussion about this page | e-mail Content Manager |