Sunday June 14, 2015 Mt. Washington, Mt. Monroe

It seems like everything has been conspiring the last few weeks to keep us out of the mountains. But finally with a bluebird forecast, Jillian and I decided to head to Mt. Washington. Our goal for the day was to see if there was anything happening yet in the alpine garden. Beyond that we would let the conditions decide for us. At 8:00 AM we were at Pinkham Notch getting one of the last parking spots and we were quickly on trail.

Jillian down low on Tuckerman Ravine Trail.

Views from Lion Head Trail.

We made good time up to the junction with the Alpine Garden Trail because we were figuring that our progresses would be slowed by all the pictures we were taking. Recently Jillian has been taking an interest in photography, so she has taken most of the picture taking duties on. For just starting, I think she is doing good (but I am surely more than a bit bias). We were a little early as far as the blooming goes, but there was plenty to see. I am always amazed that these beautiful delicate flowers can survive in such a harsh environment.

Diapensia

Diapensia

Mountain Avens

Alpine Azalea

Jillian in her element.

Lapland Rosebay

I do not know the name of this one.

Alpine Bluet

Alpine Bluet

 It took us almost a hour and a half to go through the Alpine Garden, all time well spent. But with that, it was time to resume our normal traveling pace up the Nelson Crag Trail.

We don't like to queue.

We stopped at the summit of Mt. Washington for a snack and talked about what we were going to do. We both decided it was too nice to head down, so the only reasonable thing to do on such a beautiful day was to head over to Mt. Monroe and make the most of our time above treeline. We were off heading down Crawford Path.

Approaching Lakes of the Clouds.

Last bit to Mt. Monroe.

Jillian unimpressed with a wasp on Mt. Monroe Summit.

Looking down Crawford Path.

Jillian at Lakes of the Clouds.

 From Lakes of the Clouds we headed to Camel trail to make our way to Boott Spur.

Cairns on Davis Path

Last Snow in Tuckerman Ravine

Jillian in Split Rock.

It was a glorious day to be out and we had a great time. We were out for nine hours. We could have done it faster, but with all the time spent taking pictures and enjoying the beauty we were happy with that.