Mount Jefferson

Located in the northern Presidentials of the White Mountains, Mount Jefferson ranks third in height behind Washington and Mount Adams, and looms above the Great Gulf Wilderness to the east and the broad Fabyan Plain to the west.  On this day long botanical hike, we will ascend the Caps Ridge Trail along a series of exposed ledges that requires scrambling.  The trail provides wonderful views and is the shortest of all White Mountain trails to get above treeline (only 2.6 miles up).  After taking our time to reach and explore the summit, we will hike the Jefferson Loop Trail and ultimately reach Monticello, a broad grassy plateau stretching to the south.  Along the way we’ll observe many common and some rare alpine species, including Bigelow’s sedge (Carex bigelowii), mountain avens (Geum peckii), alpine bilberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), and diapensia (Diapensia lapponica).  This trip involves steep terrain, exposed ridgelines, and is weather dependent.  Bring a bag lunch.

Sunday, June 15, 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m.