Mt. Pierce & Mizpah Hut Loop via Crawford Path

We had a beautiful, sunny, clear day for hiking on Saturday although it was very windy & cold (wind around 50 MPH with a wind chill of about minus 15F.) at the top of Mt. Pierce.  Had excellent views of Mt. Washington at the top & enjoyed lunch there before heading back down. Trail was hard packed snow with minimal ice. Mountain was covered with lots of fluffy snow with icicles on many of the balsam firs near the top. Plenty of "grey-jays" hanging-out with us at the rest stops. After the hike, we headed to Bob & John's house ("Bear Pond") at Sugar Hill, NH to relax next to the toasty wood stoves and enjoy an apres hike pot luck dinner party with appetizers, salad, Bertucci's pizza, and gourmet dessert.  There was also a stunning fiery sunrise on Sunday morning to enjoy before heading home!

Join us for a 6 mile stroll up the Crawford Path to enjoy the awesome view of Mt. Washington from Mt. Pierce.  The elevation gain is 2417 feet.  The trail is a moderately steep ramp & and possibly will be “stomped-out” since it is a very popular trail.  We will hike 1.5 miles to the Mizpah Cut off Trail then take to right fork to Mizpah Spring Hut. From the Mizpah Spring Hut we hike about a mile to the summit of Mt. Pierce & then hike (or slide) down appx 2.7 miles.  The hike will take about 5 hours.  We will have lunch at the hut or on the summit of Mt. Pierce (elevation 4310 feet).    Dress for winter conditions with waterproof winter hiking boots and microspikes and/or crampons depending on conditions. We have extra few pairs of snowshoes if anybody wants them. Bring lunch and water.  Let me know if you have questions about your wardrobe or accessories.

Optional après hike Pizza & Beer Party at “Bear Pond”: Everyone is welcome to join us back at our house in Sugar Hill, NH after the hike to sit by the wood stoves or hang out on the deck and enjoy the mountain views. We will be having salad, pizza & beer for Happy Hour/Dinner. Showers are available. If you would like to stay overnight, we have some extra bedrooms that can accommodate up to 6 guests.  The house is about 30 minutes from the trailhead near Cannon Mountain.