The Dry River Valley in New Hampshire’s White Mountains may be difficult to entry as a result of the paths main into it and thru it are distant, tough, and troublesome to observe. Scarred by avalanches, washed out by floods, or ravaged by hurricanes, the paths are largely unblazed which may be intimidating for those who’re used to following white blazes on closely traveled trails. However that’s to be anticipated whenever you hike within the Presidential Vary/Dry River Wilderness Space which is arguably the wildest of the six designated wilderness areas within the Whites. In fact, that’s the form of factor that I discover interesting which is why the Dry River Valley is my favourite place to backpack within the White Mountain Nationwide Forest.
Sadly, the climate this summer time has been extra atrocious than regular within the Whites with heavy rainfall, unpleasantly excessive humidity and temperatures, and smokey haze from the Canadian forest fires. Water ranges all through the Nationwide Forest have been so excessive that it was inconceivable to hike many trails, particularly Wilderness Trails with stream crossings till it stopped raining and water ranges dropped. Issues have improved this August with much less rainfall and cooler temperatures, so I’m making up for misplaced time by getting ou ton as many in a single day journeys as I can.
So when a good climate window offered itself, I jumped at an opportunity for a fast backpacking loop alongside the Southern Presidential Vary after which down into the Dry River Valley. I couldn’t have picked a greater two days for my journey, with cool dry air and clear sunny climate.
For this journey, I hiked as much as the Southern Presidentials beneath Mt Washington alongside the Edmands Path, a rocky path that reaches treeline simply north of Mt Eisenhower the place it meets the Crawford Path, the oldest constantly maintained climbing path in the US. From there it continues north, passing Mt Monroe and the Lakes of the Clouds Hut, earlier than climbing to the summit of Mt Washington.
I hoofed it up Edmand’s and continued onto the Crawford Path, heading north towards Mt Franklin and Mt Monroe. This can be a very picturesque phase of the Southern Presidential Vary, that’s all above treeline and extremely uncovered to the climate, with only a rocky path snaking by the sedge grass marked by scree partitions and cairns.
As I approached Franklin, I noticed a brand new spur path main from the Crawford Path to the summit that wasn’t there the final time I climbed the height, a couple of years in the past, so I went out to research it. Trails change surprisingly ceaselessly within the Whites, though admittedly, the adjustments are often on a smaller scale. I used to be joined by a pair that had hiked up the Edmands Path similtaneously me and we had a chew to eat and a companionable chat.
From Franklin, I continued to little Monroe after which lastly the Mt Monoe summit earlier than dropping right down to the Lakes of the Clouds hut on the foot of the height. I refilled my water bottles, ate some meals, and had a brief relaxation as a result of I knew the subsequent phase of my route could be difficult. I deliberate to descend to the Dry River Valley by dropping over the headwall of the Oakes Gulf Path and following the Dry River Path, which is notoriously exhausting to observe.
From the hut, the path runs alongside an alpine tarn (one of many lakes) earlier than dropping over the headwall and snaking its means by a boulder subject and knee-high vegetation. It takes some focus to observe the cairns marking the path however you additionally should be in your toes for areas the place the path runs however is unmarked. Having been down this path twice earlier than, I had the benefit of remembering most of those determination factors. However there have been nonetheless a couple of new spots that required judgment calls about which means the path ran, notably in these spots coated with working water!
My customary recommendation for anybody climbing the Dry River Path is to begin on the prime and hike right down to the Dry River Valley, relatively than going up. The route discovering happening is way simpler since you’re trying down on the options and may see greater than for those who’re trying up. Consider it or not, the path has gotten a LOT simpler to observe since I first hiked it, due largely to the previous Path Adopter, Invoice Robichaud, who’s now sustaining the Shoal Pond Path one other infamous and muddy path within the Pemigewasset Wilderness.
After rigorously choosing my means right down to the valley ground, I emerged within the clearing the place the Dry River lean-to is situated, means upstream. It’s in fairly good condition and there are some midway first rate tent pitches surrounding it if you wish to use a tent.
I supposed to camp somewhat additional downstream at a delegated campsite alongside the river close to the Dry River Cutoff junction as a substitute, so I continued down the path towards it. I attempted to not less than, as a result of the path appeared to have been washed away, judging by the sediment on the bottom and up into the bushes. It actually appeared like the whole space had been beneath the water sooner or later as a consequence of all of the rain we’ve gotten this summer time. Nonetheless, I knew the place the path was imagined to be and bushwhacked right down to the river crossing by following the river.
The primary crossing was a straightforward rock hop, nevertheless it usually isn’t, whereas the second crossing a bit farther downstream required a knee-deep ford. However I used to be steps away from my supposed campsite and bought myself organized, pitching my tent, filtering water, and cooking up some dinner. Then I used to be out like a light-weight, quick asleep till the morning. I by no means have any points falling asleep outside.
As I used to be packing up the subsequent morning, a pair that had camped close by stopped to say howdy. We chatted for a couple of minutes earlier than they acknowledged me from my e-newsletter photograph. They have been spending their trip climbing all the trails within the Presidential Vary/Dry River Valley Wilderness, a part of their quest to hike all the trails in all the Wilderness Areas within the White Mountain Nationwide Forest. They’d written to me for recommendation about backpacking within the Whites beforehand, however I assume I didn’t handle to scare them away.
I completed packing my issues and was off, climbing up the Eisenhower Path again to the Crawford Path, taking the Edmands Path off the ridge and again right down to the trailhead lot. Whereas this was a brief journey, I’d had magnificent climate above treeline and alongside some very troublesome trails. In different phrases, I’d had a blast!
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