Flora of Mount Washington
Ascending 1,000 vertical feet in the mountains of the Northeast can be likened to driving hundreds of
miles north. With each move up in elevation, air temperature drops, average precipitation increases,
clouds are more numerous and wind speeds become more drastic. These differences cause zones of
vegetation to form according to elevation; Northern Hardwood, Boreal (Spruce-Fir Forest and Balsam
Fir Forest), and Alpine vegetation zones. Here are the stops that we will be making on the trip. Note
the vegetation zone ar each one of the stops and record any observations that you make.
Pinkham Notch Visitor Center - 2022’
Vegetation Zone:
1.
Activity: Hike to Crystal Cascade waterfall, < 1 mile round-trip
Observations:
Autoroad Milepost 4 - 4000’
2.
Vegetation Zone:
Activity: Hike along autoroad or old road
Plant Communities:
Observations:
3.
Autoroad Mile 6.5 - 5600’
Vegetation Zone:
Activity: Park and Hike out Alpine Garden Trail (flat trail, optional summit hike)
Plant Communities:
Observations:
4.
Summit-6,288’
Vegetation Zone:
Activity: Mt Washington Observatory Tour
Plant Communities:
Observations: