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| Panorama from Mt. Eisenhower Summit |
On a Friday with a decent forecast following a week of unsettled weather and summits in the clouds, I decided against my original plan of hiking up to my favorite Presidential peak -- Mount Jefferson. I knew that there would be way too many people for my liking up on the big guys. But since it had been a while since I'd been on the Presidentials, I really wanted to pay my respects. So ultimately I decided that Mount Eisenhower via the lesser-traveled Edmands Path would get me where I wanted to go while also providing a better chance for some peace and tranquility while getting there.
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| Eisenhower Loop Trail |
Edmands Path, I think, is the best approach to Eisenhower. Named for the revered trail builder, the path meanders its way up the north side of Eisenhower, taking care to follow the best grades for sure footing the whole way up. It's long, rocky, and steep - as one might expect in the Whites - but it is clear how much thought the trail builder put into his project. The extensive, hand-built rock cribbing that still supports the trail a century later is a further testament to his diligent efforts.
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| View from Eisenhower Summit to Mt. Washington |
In order to avoid a shorter up and back, I decided to turn the hike into a 10+ mile loop hike over both Eisenhower and Pierce and a return via the more-popular Crawford Path and a 2 mile road walk on Mt. Clinton Road back to the car park. I made quick work of Edmands Path thanks to the quality of the trail. After a few minutes on the loop trail up to the summit, I had the pleasure of having Ike all to myself for my first trail break of the morning, even if I needed to put on my winter garb due to the cool autumn temps and brisk, bone-chilling winds. I wish I could have hung out longer, but it was COLD.
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| Neat Alpine Zone Veg |
Once off the notoriously-exposed summit, the wind and cold subsided and the hiking conditions were absolutely perfect. I only passed a couple of hikers on my way over to Pierce and then made the knee-breaking descent to Mizpah to fill up my water. After that, I took the cutoff down to Crawford Path for the rest of my descent. As expected, this is where my quiet, peaceful morning turned into congestion central with numerous parties heading up as my day was nearing its end.
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| Gibbs Falls |
I took my final trail break at the pretty Gibbs Falls. Most folks on their way up blow by the spur trail to the falls since they are intent on the many miles and elevation gain ahead and don't want to waste any time. Therefore, I had the place all to myself and stayed long enough to enjoy the tumbling waterfall and recharge for the roadside hike on Mt. Clinton Road back to my car. The narrow road is in terrible shape for auto traffic with overgrown foliage on blind curves, frost heaves, pot holes and crumbling asphalt. But it winds its way pleasantly through the deep woods and actually made for some nice walking to round out the day. As long as you watch out for any speeding A-holes in Jeeps.
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| Crawford Path marker |
My overall timing, it must be said, was absolutely perfect. Just as I was driving past the winter gate to get off Mt. Clinton Road, an F150 with Texas plates pulling a 30-foot camper was about to take his monstrosity up that tiny road. If Mr. Everything's-Bigger-in-Texas went through with his stupid plan and got stuck, there would be absolutely no way for him to turn around. Further, any vehicles coming down the road from the trailhead parking would have no way to pass him. Had I gotten off the trail ten minutes later, I might have been stuck up there for hours.
Always some kind of drama in ever-popular Crawford Notch.
Peaks: Mt. Eisenhower Mount Pierce
Elevation: 4,760 and 4,312 feet feet (Gain: 2,950 feet)
Distance: 10.5 miles
Route: Loop: Edmands Path to Mt. Eisenhower Loop to Crawford Path to Webster Jackson Cliff Trail to Mizpah Cutoff to Crawford Path to Mt. Clinton Road
Conditions: Fog to mostly sunny, 55 degrees F
