7/16/06 Sunday: US302 Crawford Notch to Lake in the Clouds Hut (11.2mi)

PICTURES:
1. 0824: Crawford Notch Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) Visitor center and cafeteria
2. 0826: Pic of me taken in front of the hiker hostel from in front of the visitors center
3. 1223: My brother Phil and his wife Gisele drove a few miles out of their way to visit with me...:)
4. 1431: Webster Cliffs views of Mt Madison...WOW
5. 1433: Webster Cliffs views also of Crawford Notch
6. 1539: Trail continues along the eastern rim of the notch as you ascend Mt. Webster.
7. 1621: Mt Webster and first views of Mt Washington to the NE
8. 1716: Walking thru a bog near Mt Jackson.. the trail was well maintained by the AMC
9. 1838: View N from Mt Pierce
10. 1919: The trail up Mt Franklin was typical of most climbs below treeline.
10. 1958: View of Mt Washington from Mt. Franklin
11. 2029: View of Lake in the Clouds Hut coming down Mt Franklin.
12. 2031: Sunset view as I approached the hut...

I woke at my usual time, 0530 and noticed Protozoa was awake also... We decided to dress and catch breakfast early at about 0600... When we arrived there was quite a line of hikers already filing through the breakfast buffet, so we got in line and soon filled our plates with pancakes, eggs, bagels, fruit, sausages, etc... Ya can't beat AYCE:)... I made a "few" trips through the line until I was satisfied I wouldnt be hungry for a while...;).. Protozoa finished a bit before me and decided he would hitch to the trailhead and begin his day early before the projected 90 degree heat set in... We bid each other farewell, but would hopefully rendevous tonight at the Hut... After breakfast I packed and moved my things out of the bunkhouse into the sun so some of them would dry better. I sat on the lawn in a very comfortable Adirondak chair and quielty awaited the visit from my brother Phil and his wife Gisele. I continued to try in vain to contact them as well as my wife, having no luck with getting a signal for a cell phone call... At 1030 they arrived and we walked the centers grounds enjoying the beautiful setting. They had brought some soda I was going to use for trail majik but since they couldnt pickme up Sat night as originally planned I decided to leave the soda in the bunkhouse refridgerator. We had lunch at the centers cafeteria before finally packing everything up and heading back to the trail by 1330. I had not visited with Phil and Gisele for almost a year and enjoyed their company, very much appreciating the distance they had to travel out of their was for this visit.
At 1330 they dropped me off at the parking area up a short drive from NH302 and I continued my trek north waving as they passed me heading back to Maine... I had reminded them earlier that I would be coming to visit again in 3 weeks...;)... I crossed the Saco River and began the 2000" in 1 mile ascent of Webster Cliffs. At 1330 the temps in the notch were at 90 degrees. I had my slow and steady climb mode engaged and by 1430 I had reached the cliffs and stood there in AWWWWW. What a view... I took a 30min break and finally got through to Jackie, though I got disconnected about 3-4 time during our 15min conversation. After reconnecting with Jackie, I continued to the top of Mt Webster and on my way to my final destination of Lake in the Clouds Hut. I arrived at the hut about 2030 and opted for a work for stay. I was offered the opportunity to do dishes for 1hour and as a reward I could eat leftovers from that nights meals AYCE ;)... and sleep on one of the dining room tables... The 60 or so guests all sleep in bunks and they were full... And the guests are charged $80 each... I did my dishes and ate to my hearts content before bedding down in the dining area for the night, looking out the many windows at the millions of stars in the sky from this site .5mi south and in the shadow of Mt Washington... Protozoa paid and stayed there as a guest while Dudley, Sweettea, and Soft Lipped... all signed up for the work for stay which is only offered to thru-hikers.