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More Mt. Eisenhower and Mt. Pierce Trail Reports
Mount Eisenhower and Mount Pierce
Mountains:
Mt. Pierce (4312'), Mt. Eisenhower (4760')
Trails:
Crawford Connector, Crawford Path, Webster Cliff Trail, Mount Eisenhower Loop, Edmands Path, Appalachian Trail
Region:
NH - Central East
White Mountain National Forest, Presidentials
Location:
Carroll (Twin Mountain), NH
Rating:
Moderate
Features:
Summits, views, 4000-footers, alpine zone, alpine plants
Distance:
8.3 miles
Elevation Gain:
3150 feet (cumulative)
Hiking Time:
Typical:
5:40
Outing Duration:
Typical:
8:15
Hike Date:
Saturday, 7/08/2000
Last Updated:
1/20/2008
Weather:
Sunny with several very light showers, clear, 55 degrees
Author:
Webmaster
Companions:
SDHrs: Dennis M, Debbie S, Anne H, Shirley G, Scott, Phil B, Carlos C, Bob S, Marj W, Ed T, Sal S, Pam S, Bess P, Heather M, Marina, Linda H, Eric & son, John and Gene and their wives, 2 other couples
Route Summary
This is a point-to-point hike that almost forms a loop. Car(s) should be spotted at the Edmands Path trailhead on Mt. Clinton Road and the hike departs from the Crawford Path parking area, also on Mt. Clinton Road.
If you don't wish to spot cars, you can make this a full loop hike by walking along the gravel Mt. Clinton Road from the Edmands parking area to the Crawford parking lot, adding 2.3 miles to the trip.
Start on Crawford Connector, following it for 0.4 mile, and then turn left onto Crawford Path.
Follow Crawford Path for 2.7 miles until the junction with Webster Cliff Trail (go straight when reaching Mizpah Cutoff to the right at 1.9 miles from the trailhead).
Turn right onto Webster Cliff Trail and ascend 0.1 mile to the summit of Mt. Pierce.
Descend 0.1 mile on Webster Cliff Trail to return to Crawford Path.
Continue along Crawford Path for 1.2 miles then bear left to follow Mount Eisenhower Loop for 0.4 mile up to Mt. Eisenhower's summit.
Continue along Mount Eisenhower Loop, descending Mt. Eisenhower on the other side, and meeting up with Edmands path in 0.4 mile.
Turn left onto Edmands Path and follow it for 2.9 miles until it ends at the trailhead parking area on Mt. Clinton Road.
Place
Split
Miles
Total
Miles
Crawford Path parking lot (1920')
0.0
0.0
Jct. Crawford Path/Mizpah Cutoff (3380')
1.9
1.9
Jct. Crawford Path/Webster Cliff Trail (4250')
1.2
3.1
Mt. Pierce summit
(4312')
0.1
3.2
Jct. Crawford Path/Webster Cliff Trail (4250')
0.1
3.3
Jct. Crawford Path/Mt. Eisenhower Loop (4425')
1.2
4.5
Mt. Eisenhower summit
(4760')
0.4
4.9
Jct. Eisenhower Loop/Edmands Path (4450')
0.4
5.4
Edmands Path Trailhead parking area (2000')
2.9
8.3
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Trail Guide
This was a moderate hike overall. Crawford path climbed moderately and without breaks up to Mt. Pierce. Most of the ridgeline walking was easy with the climbing kicking in about 0.4 mile before the Eisenhower summit - about a quarter mile of which is steep. Edmands Path descended moderately until near the end, where the grades switched to easy.
It's time for a bus! We had a record showing of 27 people for the Mt. Eisenhower hike. The "Cadillac Couples" planned on hiking just a little ways up and then turning around, but an amazing 23 hardy adventurers completed the challenging 8.3 mile loop. By day's end we had tallied up the switchbacks contained within the loop - and came up with a whopping total of 2.
After about 3 miles of steady climbing, we reached Mt. Pierce and were gifted with spectacular views. Here many people paused for lunch but it was a challenge to eat as the wind attempted to whip away all our food. It was a pleasant 55 degrees throughout the day and although there were several very light showers, visibility remained excellent. From Pierce, we could see way across the ridgeline to Mt. Eisenhower, our next destination - 450 feet higher than our current elevation.
Walking along the mostly flat ridgeline was a welcome break. In addition to the endless views, there were lots of alpine plants that captured our interest. Hugging the ground and seemingly springing from rocks, were mats of mountain cranberry. These have small, oval leaves and clusters of tiny, deep pink, bell shaped flowers. We saw star flowers which look just like a white, 7-pointed star; and cotton sedge which is akin to a wispy cotton ball mounted on top of a 10" stalk. At one point, we came upon a spruce grouse that was also enjoying the trail.
On the ascent to Eisenhower, we were treated to mountain avens which are found only in the White Mountains and Nova Scotia. These flowers resemble buttercups but are supported by long stems which have geranium-looking leaves. The bright blooms were a welcome diversion from the steep pitch we were forced to conquer before achieving the summit.
Upon reaching the top, there was no rest for the wicked. The ferocious winds on Eisenhower made Pierce's air currents seem like a mild breeze. Some gusts nearly knocked us over. So down we went, the other side of Eisenhower. Once safely in the shelter of the woods, part of the group took a well deserved lunch break.
Edmands Path descended moderately, and like its Crawford counterpart that led up to Mt. Pierce, the trail was lined with lush ferns and soft moss. Towards the end, there were a few bridges that crossed a brook.
For some, a lunch break or two wasn't enough, and an ice cream stop was called for on the way home. Our ice cream expert, Dennis, has proclaimed the new Trailhead's on Rt. 302 as "our favorite new spot in that area". They even have a sundae called the "Dayhiker".
More Flora Seen
Alpine plants:
orange hawkweed (devil's paintbrush):
A tall wildflower sporting bright orange blooms whose petals are shaped like narrow rectangles. (Also grows in non-alpine areas.)
labrador tea:
A small shrub with clusters of small cream colored flowers.
reindeer lichen:
Looks like buff colored "coral" on a tiny scale (and softer).
bog bilberry:
similar to mountain cranberry but a larger shrub with circular leaves that stand straight up and a lighter pink bell-shaped flower that is a little larger than those on the mountain cranberry.
Other plants:
bluebead lily (yellow clintonia):
Large, smooth and shiny leaves at its base with drooping, delicate, yellow flowers at the top of a 10" stalk.
false hellebore (Indian poke):
large veined leaves clustered all up and down a thick, central stalk. About 1-1/2 feet tall.
bunchberry:
Lots along all the trails, including the alpine ridge. Low growing plants. The flowers have 4 white petals (actually bracts) and beneath them is a whorl of leaves.
common wood sorrel:
The flower stalk rises out of what looks like clover patches - but are actually the leaves that are part of the plant. There were lots of them on the way down Edmands Path. The flowers had white petals with a yellow ring around the center, then a hot pink ring surrounding that. Also, thin, hot pink lines radiating from the pink ring and running vertically down the petals.
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Late Fall Hiking: How to Hike in Comfort and Safety
A Fascination with Fire Towers in New Hampshire and Vermont
Why Leaves Change Color in the Fall
Gear: The Ten Essentials
Full Gear List of What to Take With You on the Trail
Hiking Safely Through the Seasons in the Mountains
If You Get Lost: How to Self-Rescue
Alpine Zone Preservation
hikeSafe: Hiker Responsibility Code
Driving Directions
Crawford Path Parking Lot
From Crawford Notch Depot and the AMC Highland Center, head West on Rt. 302 for about 0.1 mile.
Turn right onto Mt. Clinton Road.
Almost immediately, turn left into a parking lot.
The trailhead is at the far end of the parking area, just to the right of the toilets.
Edmands Path Parking Lot
From the Crawford Path parking lot, continue down Mt. Clinton Road for 2.3 miles.
The parking lot for Edmands Path is on the right.
Facilities
Toilets at the parking area for Crawford Path.
Other Notes
A parking permit is required to park at White Mountain National Forest trailheads and parking areas. You can purchase a WMNF permit from the forest service and other vendors and can also pay-by-the-day using self-service kiosks located in many parking areas.
Rates:
$3 per day
$5 for a week-long pass
$20 for a year-long pass
$25 for two year-long passes (one household/two cars)
More Mt. Eisenhower and Mt. Pierce Trail Reports
Mt. Pierce and Mizpah Hut on 9/29/2007
Mt. Eisenhower and Mt. Pierce on 9/26/1999
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