And, BTW - the PS maintains the access road beyond the kilns, and a 4x4 is rarely needed.
Now that's a neat piece of info, Kevin. The only time I've done Telescope I started from the kilns due to the beta on the road conditions. I do recall thinking at the time that I would not want to drive it in a rental car. Has the condition improved to the degree that high-clearance isn't necessary, or just not necessarily a 4X4?
And I was wondering when the East would get some love on bucket list hikes. Not many, I know, but Mt. Washington is definitely up there. The Springer Mountain or Kathadin legs on the AT would probably qualify on the "iconic" side, as they begin and end the trail.
Re: the road to Mahagony Flats - not too far above the kilns is a gate which the FS closes when the road gets icy/snow-covered. You can never be certain of even getting to the kilns as a rainstorm can wash out the road/cover it with 2' of gravel, etc, and if this happens in the fall, the FS may wait until spring to fix it. As for the condition of the road above the gate - IIRC about 5 years the FS did some major work widening & grading it, and at times it's rather smooth. Whether it was done for visitors or for maintenance access as there are solar-powered communications up there - either way it gets you to the same place. Having said that - it only takes one or two yahoos with a 4x4 to gun their way to top and the road can develop some deep ruts. Having said that - there's another campground and pull outs in that mile or two where you can park if the road is beyond your comfort level.
As for East Coast hikes - yes, there are lots of them, and Washington is a good one. Personally, I like the loop hike from the west (Ammo to Monroe then Washington and return via Jewell), especially now with year-round access, but the western side from Tucks is great also. Keep in mind that high avalanche danger during the winter closes the Bowl itself, and a section of the Tuckerman trail is re-routed. As a New Englander who has been fortunate to live, work and play in many places in the US, there are many great hikes in the East as well as the Pacific NW, but this is a Sierra-centric board, so mostly I enjoy watching what others enjoy in the SW where I lived most recently for 7 years.
