Our only worry with our choice of campsites last night was its location over three miles from the AT trailhead. How tough would it be to hitch a ride back to the trail at 6:30 a.m.? We needed not worry: the very first vehicle we saw, a maintenance man driving to work in a small pickup truck, pulled over in less than 90 seconds, and whisked us to the base of the Webster Cliff! That immediate success gave us enough of an adrenaline rush to last the first hour, and got our day off to a great start!

We had come down the Webster Cliff just about exactly three years ago while doing a short section hike south from Tuckermans Ravine. With that experience still fresh in our minds, we worried about the 2,000′ vertical climb in less than 2.5 miles up to the Webster Cliff, but we found the going up was not nearly as bad as we remembered the coming down. In any case, we made it up quicker than expected, and were treated to views just as good, maybe better, than we saw back in 2009. Absolutely perfect weather.

We continued on up Mt. Webster, and got the day’s first good look at the towering Mt. Washington. At long last we were in the Presidentials and the heart of the Whites.

After crossing Mt. Jackson, one of the 48 4,000′ peaks, we made a lunch stop at Mizpah Spring Hut where we added our peanut butter to their homemade bread. That gave us the energy to climb Mt. Pierce/ Clinton (another 4K footer), and break above the treeline for the rest of the day. We passed Eisenhower and Monroe and summited Franklin (5,004′) on our way to the Lakes of the Clouds Hut.

Tonight we are staying in “The Dungeon”, the hut’s small basement room with six bunks, that reeks of heating oil. [In winter, it’s an emergency shelter for anyone caught up on the mountain.] We’re paying ten bucks for the privilege (plus $5 each for leftovers from dinner and breakfast), but think it’s a better deal than a work for stay, and the best deal available in an area where camping is not allowed.

All afternoon, the clouds began to roll in. There’s rain/ thunder in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow, which should make the exposed climb of Mt. Washington interesting. But for now, it’s great just to be out of the elements, as the slope of Mt. Washington is not the world’s most friendly spot weather-wise…