Mts Eisenhower and Pierce Snowshoe Loop

On Saturday, January 28th, Kevin and I met up at the Crawford Path parking lot just across the road from the AMC Highland Center.  We both arrived a little early and got ready for the loop hike over Mts. Pierce and Eisenhower.  It was overcast with some breaks in the clouds to the west and it was also a bit chilly.  The snow depth along the parking lot was good, so we both put on snowshoes. It was right around 8:30AM, when we set off by taking the link trail from the west side of the parking lot.  It didn't take long before we were on the main trail and heading up its rather gentle ascent.  At about 10AM we passed the junction with the Mizpah Cut-Off and shortly thereafter we ran into a begging Canadian Jay...of which Kevin made a friend.  Continuing on, the trees began to thin out to the southwest, but it was still too cloudy to see anything.  At just before 11AM we emerged out of the trees and out onto the ledge below Pierce, which normally provides wonderful views over the ridge towards Mt. Washington.  At first there was no view, but amazingly (as if on cue) the clouds opened up and gave us a spectacular view...with the clouds still covering the valley below.

We headed up the short distance to the summit of Mt. Pierce and arrived within 15 minutes.  Descending off of Pierce back down to the trail junction the views had once again become obscured, but it was not long before they opened up again.  From here we proceeded along the Crawford Path as it descended along the ridge over towards Eisenhower.  The snow was at times soft from drifting and at other times ice encrusted.  Still the most noteworthy thing was that there was nearly no wind!  Part way across the ridge we stopped for a light lunch before heading up to the summit of Eisenhower.  Here there were finally nice views down towards the Mt. Washington Hotel in the valley below along with all the surrounding peaks.  We continued on for the final leg up to the summit.  The trail steepened moderately and in a one place I tried climbing up a steep rock, when, as Kevin pointed out, the trail actually went around it (hey, we all need challenges occasionally)!  We arrived on the open summit at 1PM.

We spent about 15 minutes up on the summit before deciding to continue on.  We continued westward on the Crawford Path heading down the other side of Eisenhower, which was a little steeper.  Just beyond this, the trail met up with the Edmunds Path trail junction and we started down.  The trail was fairly well discernible; it appeared that only one other person had used it recently.  The trail hugged the southern slope of Eisenhower and with the packed snow against the slope it had a strange tilt to it.  The footing progressively got better as the trail headed back into the treeline though.  The trail descended at a modest grade comparable to the Crawford Path up to Pierce.  We took it easy and by about 3:30 we finally made it to the trailhead parking lot.  Since this trailhead is closed in the winter, we still had a 2.2 mile road walk back to where we had parked.  This seemed long, but fairly easy and uneventful.  We arrived back at the cars just before 5PM.

After the hike we headed over to Fabyan's in Bretton Woods for a nice dinner before calling it a day.  It was an all-around perfect day on the Presidentials...and I finally got to break in my new snowshoes.  Thanks, Kevin, for joining me!  It doesn't get much better than this!

Join me for this 10.2 mile snowshoe loop to the summits of two prominent 4000-foot peaks in the Presidential Range...Mt. Pierce (4312') and Mt. Eisenhower (4760').  We will take the Crawford Path up to the summit of Mt. Pierce with its relatively open summit.  From Pierce we will re-join the Crawford Path as it continues to Mt. Eisenhower.  The ridge between the two peaks has some low-growing trees/scrub, but it is fairly exposed and continues to open up as we summit Eisenhower, which is totally exposed.  Views from here are spectacular...including views towards Mt. Washington and the surrounding wilderness.  Thereafter, we will descend using the Edmunds Path and by returning to the parking lot via the seasonally closed Mt. Clinton Road (2.2 miles from the Edmunds Path to the parking area).  There is approximately 2950 feet in elevation gain.  Both the Crawford and Edmunds Paths are among the least aggressive trails to 4000-foot peaks...there are some rough spots close to the summit of Eisenhower.  Snowshoes should be sufficient.  This snowshoe trip will take about 8 to 8.5 hours.

What to wear/bring:  Snowshoes are required and should be adequate for most of the hike.  You may also want to pack additional traction (microspikes, crampons, etc.).  Wear warm clothing suitable for the exposed ledge and summit(s)...no cotton or blue jeans.  You should also have insulated boots suitable for the season.  Additionally, consider bringing goggles, face protection and a headlamp/flashlight.  Bring along plenty of water (at least 2 liters), lunch, snacks and anything else you may require for a day hike.

Afterwards:  We will head over to Fabyans in Bretton Woods for drinks and dinner, if there is sufficient interest.