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Trailwork, Mt Jackson - page 2 of 3

After my tent was all set up and my sleeping pad and bag arranged neatly inside, I was ready to make my hike to Mt Jackson and back. Mt Pierce would have actually been a lot shorter trip, but I'd never been on top of Jackson outside of the winter and was anxious to give it a try when it wasn't covered with snow. I'd also never been on the Webster Cliff Trail south of Mizpah Springs Hut, and was ready to explore it.

The Webster Cliff Trail leaves the hut along with the Mizpah Cutoff, but soon veers south toward Mt Jackson, winding over a series of small humps interspersed with numerous boggy areas which are traversed by long stretches of bog bridges (timber puncheons). Many of these bog bridges needed fixing or replacement. Then, just north of the large open bog below the north face of Mt Jackson, I came across piles of boards that had been left by the AMC helicopter, waiting patiently for the summer trail crew to come and install them.

Further along the trail, I came to the bog itself, which was quite interesting and different from most other boggy or marshy areas I've seen in the mountains. I think it may be a peat bog. Its surface was spongy and soft, and my hiking pole sank in deeply just off the narrow lifeline of the timbered path. The views of Mt Washington and Mt Eisenhower across the flat treeless ground were striking.

The final climb to the summit was fairly steep and ledgy, but the rocks were dry and the climbing was easy. I breathed a sigh of relief when I finally made the top without a hitch. The two times I had summited in the winter from the Webster-Jackson Loop had been grueling trudges through deep drifts along an obscurely-defined trail.

I spent a few peaceful minutes alone on top, enjoying the views and the solitude, and then headed back the way I came, ready to return to my tent and cook supper. I didn't want to be up late as I had an early and busy day ahead to look forward to.

Mt Jackson from the Webster Cliff Trail. From Mizpah Springs Hut, the Webster Cliff Trail winds over a series of small humps and boggy areas.

Lumber. Delivered by helicopter, these boards were waiting for the AMC summer trail crew to construct new bog bridges.

Mt Washington from the large bog on Mt Jackson's north side.

The cairn at the summit of Mt Jackson. This was the first time I'd seen Mt Jackson with no snow it. I always seem to end up going there in the winter.

The trail sign on the top Mt Jackson. It certainly looks different when it's not plastered with snow.

Alone on Mt Jackson. I had both the summit and the trail to myself on my hike from Naumann Tentsite to Mt Jackson and back again.

A closeup of Mt Washington and the headwall of Oake's Gulf from Mt Jackson.

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