Summit: Mount Eisenhower (4,780')
Trail route: Crawford Path, Mt. Eisenhower Loop
Trail conditions: Solid, hard-packed snow
Weather: Temps in the 20's, no wind, sunshine
Total miles: 10
Total time: 5:15
I checked the weather and some trail reports prior to this hike. It looked like a great day to go above treeline.
It was a cold and crisp morning when I pulled into the trailhead parking lot. There were several vehicles there already and more hikers were arriving. The snowshoes stayed in the car and I started out with microspikes. When I stepped onto the Crawford Connector it was a packed, solid path and I was hoping this would last for awhile.
I got to the Crawford Path and the trail condition was the same. With the exception of a few open brooks along the way that were easy step overs the trail continued to be hard-packed and smooth all the way to the Webster Cliff Trail junction.
I have already gridded out Mount Pierce so I continued on to Mount Eisenhower. I thought the trail conditions might change along this next section of trail but to my surprise it remained the same smooth, solid white sidewalk. I met several other hikers along the way with everyone commenting on the amazing conditions.
On the way up the summit cone the snow and ice layer was thin. When I reached the summit it was bare except for a few patches of thin snow. Several hikers were already there and more arriving. There was no wind and the sun was shining brightly with a halo around it and the rare sun dog off to the side. I spent almost 30 minutes on the summit taking photos and videos as well as ate lunch. I could have stayed longer but it was time to start the 5 miles back to the parking lot.
It was a pleasant hike back down and I met many more hikers coming up. I dropped down to the totally frozen Gibbs Falls and got a photo. From there it was a short walk back to the parking lot. The microspikes stayed on for the entire hike and I was sure glad the snowshoes stayed in the car.
The combination of excellent weather and trail conditions created a rare, extraordinary hike. It was far better than I could have imagined. An absolutely spectacular day for my first official winter hike this season!
Enjoy the photos and video!
A view of Mount Eisenhower on the drive to the trailhead
The hike starts here
Gibbs Brook
Heading up the Crawford Path
Trailside burl
Passing by the Mizpah Cutoff
A beautiful frozen path through the woods
Entering the alpine zone
First view of Mount Eisenhower from the trail
Zooming in to the Mount Eisenhower summit cairn
A frozen white sidewalk
Eisenhower, Monroe and Washington
Trail to Mount Pierce is broke out
Passing by the Webster Cliff Trail
The sun feels good
Mount Eisenhower up ahead
Getting closer
At the Mt Eisenhower Loop junction
Not sure if this ladder is needed
Approaching the summit
On the summit looking North
Standing next to the summit cairn
Sundog and halo
A view south
A view west
Washington and Monroe
Summit of Mount Monroe
Summit of Mount Washington
A view of the Presidential summits
Summit of Mount Jefferson
Starting my descent
Back at the Crawford Path
Mount Washington summit towers can be seen beyond a ridge
Hiking into the sun
A look back at Mount Eisenhower
It's all downhill from here
Gibbs Falls
Bridge over Gibbs Brook
Back at the trailhead
A view of the Mount Eisenhower summit cairn on the drive home
Having Fun in the Great Outdoors!
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