Mt Jackson
December 4, 2004

As usual, Muffin and I left home at 4:30 AM to make the three hour drive to Crawford Notch. On the way to the new AMC Highland Center at the north end of the notch, I passed the Mt Washington Hotel, and stopped by the side of the road to take a picture. The summit cone of Mt Jefferson was glowing pink in the early morning light, there was very little wind, and the sky was clear and cold. It looked like it was going to be a good day for a climb.

I parked at the south end of the Highland Center parking lot, and started to get ready for the hike. In had recently bought a new pair of Kolfach plastic mountaineering boots and was looking forward to trying them out. My had old leather mountaineering boots for about six years, and they never broke in well. Every time I hiked in them, I ended up with several very sore blisters.

took a picture of frosty Mt Tom off to the west, and we headed down Rt 302 to the Webster-Jackson Trailhead, a mere 1/4 mile away. I was hoping to climb both Mt Jackson and Mt Pierce, then return via the Crawford Path. Now that I had completed my 4000-footers, I was hoping that Muffin could finish her 48 peaks and receive an award just like Brutus the Newfoundland did at this year's annual 4000-footers meeting. At this point, Muffin had already climbed 23 peaks, and the addition of Jackson and Pierce would put her more than halfway toward her goal.

By the time we got to the trailhead, Muffin had already started to turn frosty. Luckily, she doesn't seem to mind, and even likes to dig her face into the snow. 

It had snowed the night before and the trail had about an inch or two of fresh powder on top of old packed snow. We soon crossed over Elephant Head Brook on a small footbridge. 

Mt Jefferson and the Mt Washington Hotel in the early morning. The temperature is about 10 degrees.

Mt Tom from the AMC's Highland Center parking lot.

The trailhead for the Webster-Jackson Trail. This trail begins about a 1/4 mile south of the Highland Center.

Muffin at the trailhead. We were barely underway and Muffin had already started to get frosty. Luckily, she doesn't seem to mind.

Brook crossing near the start of the trail. At this point, the trail crosses over Elephant Head Brook on a small bridge.