⊕Mount Monroe is another rugged and exposed place Practically in the backyard of AMC's Lakes of the Clouds hut. This is an exposed place particularly in the winter without shelter close by. "Please be prepared before you enter this area!"
THE TRAILHEADS
Most people take the ♦Ammonusuc Ravine trail to ♦Crawford and ♦Monroe Loop to the summit. The trailhead is located on Base road off RT-302. It's usually done as a dayhike. The Ammonusuc Ravine is an excellent evacuation route from Mt Monroe should bad weather hit
Historic ♦Crawford Path From Crawford Notch is another route some take and can bag Pierce and Eisenhower also. Including Mt Jackson would complete a Southern Pressie Traverse. This is a long day with lots of above treeline exposure.
Many hike it by ♦Jewell Trail which is right across the street from the Ammonusuc trailhead parking lot. You climb Mt Washington and then down to the Hut via ♦Crawford Path descending the Ammonusuc ravine. I prefer doing it in the opposite direction, up Ammonusuc Ravine to Crawford Path and Mt Monroe Loop then backtrack to Crawford path to the hut then Washington and down to Gulfside and Jewell. I've done this loop several times, it is highly recommended.
THE MOUNTAIN
⊕Mount Monroe is named after our fifth President, James Monroe. Because it's so close to an AMC hut this is a very busy place in summer. In winter it's less hospitable and before the opening of Base Road in winter (Thanks to the Cog) it was one of the tougher "winter" summits to reach. Monroe has it's own alpine garden, the Diapensia there are beautiful usually in late June.
