Gridding Out Mount Pierce

Summits: Mount Pierce (4,310')

Trail route: Crawford Path, Webster Cliff Trail

Trail conditions: Very wet trails with slippery roots and slick rocks

Weather: Low cloud cover and mild temps

Total miles: 6.4

Total time: 3:46

After going to work this morning I took some time off and headed to the Mt. Clinton Road parking area for a hike up to Mount Pierce. I've hiked this mountain many times but today would complete my goal of hiking this summit in every month of the year. The drive to the trailhead was gray and dismal but the forecast was calling for slowly diminishing clouds, emphasis on slowly as I would find out throughout the hike.

There were several vehicles in the parking lot so there were other hikers on the trail. I was soon on my way. The trail was very wet from last night's rain and it was only going to get wetter. I dropped down to Gibbs Falls for a quick pic. I continued up the trail, everything was soaked. The roots were slippery and rocks were slick. I slowed my pace to keep from slipping.

Past the Mizpah Cutoff junction the trail got very wet with water flowing down the trail. Further up there was sections of mud and standing water. I arrived at the Webster Cliff Trail junction and could see the sun trying to burn through the clouds but it never did. Views were non-existent today. 

There was a couple coming down from the summit as I went up. When I reached the top I had the summit to myself, a rare treat as this is a popular mountain for hikers. But today there were none of the spectacular views of the Presidential summits that can be seen from here on a clear day. A few pics and I began my descent. It was the same wet trail on the way down. I carefully watched my step as I was going down because I usually have a tendency to slip and fall when I'm descending in these conditions.

I reached the parking lot without falling. There was the same low cloud cover as when I started but the Fall foliage was looking spectacular below it. With the completion of this hike I successfully gridded out Mount Pierce having now hiked this summit in every month of the year. I have hiked to this summit in a variety of conditions including snow, cold, ice, rain, heat and have enjoyed every hike. I now have 46 more summits to grid out!

Enjoy the photos and videos!

 A very low cloud cover obscures the view of the Presidential summits

A low cloud cover hides the summits along the Willey Range

 A view toward Mount Pierce is hidden by clouds

The hike starts here

 Caterpillar on the trail

 Gibbs Brook

Gibbs Brook dam 

 Gibbs Falls

 Water crossing

 Flowing water on the trail

Lots of water on the trail

Two brooks converge 

Slippery ledge

 Wet and muddy

Getting close to the summit

Mud

Leaves have turned color

 The sun is trying to break through the cloud cover

Mount Pierce summit cairn

 Starting my descent into the mist

No views today 

Back down at the Crawford Path junction 

 Maple leaves with Fall color

 Back down over slick ledges

 Mossy log

Back at the Mizpah Cut-off junction 

Puffballs that have puffed

Autumn leaves brighten the trail

Hobblebush leaves have turned color 

Bridge over Gibbs Brook

The hike ends here back at the beginning

Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!