More Peaks to Climb: 71>71 Boott Spur then Both Monroes & Franklin --- Aug. 12, 2013

A beautiful day wandering around above treeline.

Began on Ammo Ravine Trail from base of the Cog RR. It's steep but everything along the way makes it enjoyable. And, it's the shortest route to Lakes of the Clouds AMC hut ---- my base of operations for the day.

Cog across the ravine.

First view of LOC hut.

And one of the "lakes."

After a short snack at LOC I was off on Camel and Davis trails, across Bigelow Lawn to Boott Spur on the southern rim of Tuckermen's Ravine. Clouds were still blowing by as I began. Families leaving the hut were bundling their kids with hats and mittens. They would soon be shed though, as the clouds rose and the sun warmed us all.

Washington summit with clouds rising.

Looking across Tuckermen's from Boott

Boott Spur

Looking back toward the rest of my day --- R to L, The Hill on Bigelow Lawn, LOC in col, up to Monroe (center,) Little Monroe (nub to left of Big M,) Franklin (end of flat ridge to left of Monroes.)

Coming down Camel trail to LOC with Monroe behind.

Retraced my route back to LOC, more lunch, then up over Monroe Loop Trail for both Monroes, then out to Franklin, then back on Crawford path to LOC again.

Now LOC with Washinton in back

Monroe

From Little M looking to Franklin

From Franklin looking to both Monroes. Dry River Wilderness Basin to the right.

On the hike back to LOC, even though most of the Alpine flowers have past their blooming flush, I was reminded of what a unique area I was in ----

Back at the hut a large group had gathered outside. We were all distracted from our visiting by a lovely aroma. I noticed the kids eyeing fresh bread the crew had just put in the window to cool. One of the three young AT hikers I was talking with said, "they better move that bread real quick or there's going to be a big fiasco here!"

Fresh from the oven., can you smell it?

I hated to leave, but needed nearly 3 hours (I'm not speedy, especially at the end of the day) for the trip back to my truck so I took off back down Ammo Ravine. Luckly, the waterfalls along the trail helped me forget what I was leaving back above treeline.