Got a later than ideal start and showed up the lot around 7:15. Only 4 other cars there at the time.
After realizing I left my hiking socks at home, despite setting them out, I hit the trail around 7:30, seeing how far I could get in liners and running socks. Managed to survive with no blisters.
After leaving the lot and a short bit on the John Wayne trail, be on the lookout for a posted sign showing trail directions. Mt Washington is not listed on the sign itself, but scrawled in marker on the post below saying "150 yards on the left." Walk there and hit the obvious opening in the brush.
This trail is at times steep, rocky, and occasionally, both. I want to say the first mile after leaving the John Wayne trail was the steepest, and the GPS seems to bear that out. Though I had a dog leash in one hand, keeping a trekking pole in the other was a great help for this hike. A few places of unsure footing that is worse going up than it is coming down. Also, plenty of available water for your dogs on the trail, currently.
After the sign showing 1.2 miles to the summit, we hit a few patches of snow. Nothing difficult to cross, as it was packed down with the trail in the middle. Should be gone within a week. There were some sticks/trees poking out in the middle of the trail here which you had to step around or beat back. The final half mile to the peak is steep, but well maintained trail. Nice views up top! A few bugs.
Passed only a few folks on the way up, but the 8:30-9:00 o clock crowd was strong. Lot was packed and overflowing down to the road upon my return at 11:15.
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