Date: 2017-09-02
From: Serena's apartment in Lincoln

To: Lakes of the Clouds Hut 
Miles today: 11.0

9/2Crawford Notch, US 302/Serena's Apartment to Lakes of the Clouds Hut 11.0 miles Total miles:  1855.4I slept well in Serena's apartment and was up early to make sure I was ready for the shuttle. I was a bit worried that I would get too late a start to ensure getting to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut, a distance of eleven miles, before dark. The shuttle arrived right on time at 7:00 and headed for the trailhead after brief stops at an ATM and at Dunkin' Donuts.  It was a forty-five mile drive to the trailhead, and I was back on the trail at 8:30. I enjoy my time in town, but it felt good to be hiking again. The climb up Mount Webster was steep and long, but it held no surprises. There were numerous hand and feet scrambles but nothing that made me particularly nervous. The trail led out onto the Webster Cliffs, which provided some great views. From one point, I could look down and see the Willey Store, which is located near the trailhead. It served as an obvious reminder of how high I had climbed to get there. There were good views from the summit of Mount Webster as well. I was now on the ridgeline, so, while there would still be a lot of ups and downs today as I hiked up and over Mt. Jackson, Mount Pierce, and Mount Franklin, they were never particularly long. I would spend most of the time above tree line watching Mount Washington grow ever closer. It is so different to be able to see what is coming up after so many miles of hiking in tree cover. It was a beautiful Saturday, and the trail was busy with day hikers. Many asked me if I were thru hiking, and I chatted briefly with many of them. I'm sure the trail was far more empty yesterday due to the cold weather and winds. I did meet a sobo who told me that he chose to summit yesterday, although he added it probably wasn't the wisest thing he had ever done. I'm hoping the weather proves good enough for me to be able to reach the summit tomorrow.  There was no trouble reaching today'a destination, as I arrived at the Lakes of the Clouds Hut at 6:00, still comfortably before nightfall. The Lakes of the Clouds Hut sits a mere mile and a half from the summit of Mount Washington. Of course, it probably won't feel like there is anything "mere" about it when I am actually hiking it. I was offered a choice of sleeping arrangements for tonight. My first option was in the Dungeon. The Dungeon is the emergency area at the Lands of the Clouds Hut for when the weather turns trully nasty.  It also serves as a place for thru hikers to stay, since there is no tenting allowed over tree line.  It is quite dank and uninviting. The cost to stay in the dungeon: $10.00.  The cost for a place on the dining room floor: $15.00. Best extra $5.00 I ever spent, as I paid for my floor space. Unfortunately, there were no additional work for stay spots, so I had to scrounge up my own dinner as well as pay the $15.00 fee.  Oh well, it will make my pack lighter.  I went to look at the lake for which Lakes of the Clouds is named, although there is only one lake in evidence. Created by a glacier, it's a beautiful little lake with the summit of Mount Washington in the background. It is also home for fragile, endangered plants and an endangered butterfly.  The White Mountain Fritillary is a species of butterfly whose ancestors arrived during the time of the glaciers. As the ice receded and temperatures warmed, the plants on which the butterfly depended on for food were overwhelmed by warm weather plants. The colder temperatures in the higher altitude by Mount Washington provides a refuge for the few remaining Fritillaries. They are presently endangered primarily by warming temperatures. It's amazing what you can learn by reading the posters on the wall of a hut while waiting for the paying customers to go to bed so you can sleep on the dining room floor. I went outside in the rapidly cooling temperatures to get a look at the sunset. It was a beautiful moment on a clear nigh.  I'm not sure what the weather will be tomorrow, but I will be warm and dry tonight regardless of what tomorrow holds.