Date: 2003-07-30
From: Eathan Pond Campsite

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Miles today: 14.1
Weather: scattered clouds

Day 139 Avg Mls/Day 13.2Weather: Partly cloudy, light breeze. Highs around 80.Today's Nature: The views of the Whites were spectacular as much of today's hike was above the treeline on exposed ridges. Wildlife limited to toads and small creatures.I was surprised when I awoke at 2:30 a.m. to hear rain falling on my tent. It sounded worse than it was. It quit after an hour and I wiped down a somewhat damp tent in the morning.The youth group next door were awake at 2:30 also...probably running around gathering up stuff they left outside and needed to keep dry.I got up at 5 sharp and packed up. Walked out of the camp shortly after 6. Ranger Rick had already left. I caught up with him in a few minutes and we hiked together for an hour or so to route 302 at Crawford Notch.The Presidential Range begins here. It is the highest part of the Trail in NH with 25 miles of ridge walking from Crawford Notch to Pinkham Notch ...most of it being above treeline.From Crawford Notch (1,280') I climbed for an hour to the top of Mt. Webster (3,910'). I soon pulled ahead of Ranger Rick and never saw him again. I hiked alone the rest of the day although there were numerous vacation/tourist types out today.There were fantastic views from Webster and again on the next peak, Mt Jackson (4,052). Here, Spielberg and Sticks caught up with me after starting from Crawford Notch. We all stopped for a snack and enjoy the view.The Trail dropped down to Mizpah Hut (2,635') where I pulled in at 11:30. There, I had lunch with Spielberg and Sticks. The hutmaster gave us left over beef barley soup, cakes and pumpkin bread...really hit the spot.Out of Mizpah the Trail climbed the South Peak of Mt Clinton (4,180') and Mt Clinton itself (4,310')...then on to Mt Franklin (5,004') before Lakes of the Clouds Hut (5,040')All along the ridge from Mt Clinton you could see Mt Washington. I will be there in the morning an hour or so after leaving here.During the last hour of the hike I stopped and chatted with SOBO thru-hiker, Davd P. We had a nice chat about the towns we've been in and where to stay.A little later, 2 lady SOBO "day hikers," Elaina and Thea stopped and chatted for a few minutes. They seemed interest in thru-hikers so I steered them to trailjournals.When I arrived at Lakes of the Clouds around 3, they had no beds, but did offer me "work for stay." I took it rather than pay $8 to sleep in the basement room called "The Dungeon." They put me to work right away doing dishes with another thru-hiker, Poncho. We washed dishes for over an hour. Poncho is doing his second SOBO thru-hike. This time he brought his beautiful chocolate lab, Moose (trail name Lefty.We hung around until after the 96 guests finished dinner. We cleaned the tables off and got to eat about 7:30. We got the leftovers which were'nt all that bad...lasagna, broccoli & corn, salad and brownies. The 4 of us ate a lot. Actually it was kind of a neat experience. Since I'm going up to Mt Washington in the morning I'm not staying for breakfast.It's lights out at 9:30 and the "work for stays" sleep on top of the dining room tables...so the only thing missing is a mattress since there are no showers here to begin with.Thought for the Day: Hope I don't roll off the table.