Another trip above treeline: Ike - Pierce loop

Route: Edmands Path - Crawford Path - Clinton Road (loop)
Distance: 10 +/- .5 miles (varying numbers between sources)

So very close to being caught up on all our amazing hikes in the Presi's over the last month!  Missed a couple well-loved hikes but, like the one below, it was covered once before at least!  This one is for our Independence Day Loop because what better way is there to celebrate?!

Last weekend was a good example of how challenging it can be to match the sometimes opposing needs of dogs with different energy levels and interests.  I opted for a sunrise hike up Edmands and over to Lakes of the Clouds and back - easy to moderate trails for Tango and no summits, early morning for Tango to beat the rising summer temps (and because I love sunrise above treeline!), alpine time for Ty (so she could be off leash that early in the morning), and reasonable mileage for both.  Despite finishing a knarly 17 mile traverse the day before, Hannah joined us with her two pups in the wee hours of the morning.  I oogled the sky while we dressed the pups in the parking lot.

Edmands began easily, a good way to start a morning at 2:00AM!  With the headlamps, it wasn't hard to see the couple of small water crossings with log bridges across them.  After the last one, we slowly began to gain elevation without adding much complexity to the terrain.

As we progressed, the steepness increased but never for too long and the rocks were damp.  Edmands is eternally damp at best.  As the first hint of orange-red sunlight lined a distant mountain-side, the footing was becoming rockier but we maintained a steady pace.

We crossed a brook, which I treated with a little extra thought since it was still dark.  From there, the water ran through the rocks of the trail, making me briefly wish I hadn't worn my trail runners (I'd left my boots in the rain a couple days before).  It was a nice benchmark letting us know we were getting close.

Towers and structures on Mt Washington

The trail also became less steep shortly after the crossing and was a mix of large rocks to maneuver and mud/flat dirt ground until reaching treeline.  The previously non-existent wind made a powerful entrance and by the time we reached the infamous yellow warning sign, I was second guessing my plan of walking into it for the next couple of miles.

Breaking out of the trees.
(This angle is looking back towards Hannah, the dropoff is steep.)

Looking ahead.  I love this vista of the AT wandering
up the mountain.  You can't tell here but the outlines of the dark cairns
against the softening blue sky is a treat for the eyes.

Thankfully, Hannah said that going down Edmands would be a no-go for logistical reasons so we opted to head over to Pierce and turn the hike into a loop utilizing Clinton Road.  The sun was up enough that, even though we would be walking in and out of scrubby treeline pines, I was (mostly) ready to free the beast.  I put on her Noxgear LED harness, e-collar, and bear bell, all with extra Nite-Ize gear ties for reinforcement and off we went along the Crawford Path.  (Hannah humored my lazy request to bypass Ike.)

This is where we're at right now with Ty's
off leash privileges.

The trail didn't seem to vary much in elevation but nonetheless went up and over big rocks that add some difficulty to an otherwise mellow (and muddy) trail.  Turning around frequently offered gorgeous views of the sun rising.

Titus "saved" a Nalgene from abandonment

Speedy Gonzales clouds!

She really belongs up here! 

I'm going to be completely honest, I have written about the stretch of Crawford between Ike and Pierce a handful of times so will only describe it in photos here.  Overall, it's a lovely, gentle descent then quick ascent of the ridge between the two peaks traversing slabs, mud, and rocky ledges, and beautiful views.

We rounded the corner to the junction sign a little bit sooner than I anticipated and we decided to run up to the summit for Titus's NH4K #2!

Happy Fourth!!

Heading down has been described more than once by this particular blogger so I won't go into too much detail.  Crawford is fairly rocky (the round, small boulder-y kind) but still has decent footing and maintains a fairly moderate grade.  It has a tendency to be damp, especially in certain areas like the upper section above the Mizpah Cutoff.  We noticed a handful of new, several step sets of steps that looked impressive (read: difficult to install) in heavily eroded areas.

Heading back down to our packs from the summit

Thanks for laying IN a mud puddle....

After Gibbs Falls, we took the Connector down to the road and hoofed it up to the cars.  Other than the fact it was warm, it was an enjoyable break from miles of careful footing.  We were unsure how busy the road would be around 10:00AM but it was surprisingly quiet with only a few vehicles passing us.  There were even a handful of small streams that provided easy water sources for the dogs.

I can't help but feel a little guilty for subjecting everyone to reading another Pierce/Ike blog but it's such a favorite for all the reasons I always list: decent water sources, decent footing, and good grades.  And, as we've been fortunate enough to say a lot lately, excellent company!

Guilty of another repeat: Pierce and Ike

Distance: 9.6 miles
Duration: 5.5 hours including breaks
Elevation Gain: 3,200 feet

View to the north of the Presidential Range from an outlook at the Crawford Path/Webster Cliff Tr junction

Anyone kind enough to follow us has probably figured out we love Pierce.  And Eisenhower.  We love the two of them together even more and is definitely our favorite hike.

Yesterday, we wrapped up an interesting January with a fantastic hike with some of the usual suspects and our new trail friend, Matt, who was celebrating a weekday birthday.  It was also a special hike for Ms Eva, who will wrap up her career with 6 NH4K's, as we are driving her to her new home in PA this weekend!

Our happy crew:

Since I've already reviewed this one before and the snow only served to make it easier (and more magical), I'll keep this one short and simply aim to encourage folks to do it themselves!

We began at the Crawford Connector at 9:00 and made good time chugging along after the dogs.  The trail is in perfect condition and Hannah was able to bare boot most of the hike.  Choosing to go in the opposite direction, I donned my Hillsound Trail Crampon Pro's.  I was lucky enough to snag them on a Facebook gear page for a respectable discount and thought it would be a good day to test out what I affectionately call my "baby crampons."  ("Baby" crampons can and will (read: did) shear clothes like legit ones!)

Perfect winter trail, in the opinion of this lazy hiker 

Back to the hike... The Crawford Path ascends via an easy to moderate incline.  It was well-packed with only a few icy steps above Gibbs Falls.  We reached the junction for the Mizpah Cutoff after an hour.  From there to the Webster Cliff Trail was a stroll.

At 10:35, we reached the ledge popular for a pre-summit break/photo-taking (all of which we indulged in).  Then we scooted up to the summit (take a "right"/turn south for two minutes/.1 mile) just to make it official (it was crowded!) before heading back down to the Crawford Path to head to Ike.

Rime!

Webster Cliff Trail, just steps from the summit marker

Shenanigans

Pierce to Ike = heaven.  We traversed the ridge in and out of scrubby trees and over windswept rocks. The snow was not perfectly packed down but was still completely doable in light traction. While Eisenhower looked like it towered above, the trip between the two peaks was mellow and took about 50 minutes to reach the summit loop junction.

The .3 mile jaunt up the bald summit of Ike was the steepest and windiest portion of the hike.  Collectively, it took us about twenty minutes to reach the perpetually windy summit (only once have I visited a wind-free/low-wind Ike).  We lingered a bit but Hannah and I both felt inclined to get our girls back to where the wind was calmer.

barrage of photos from the summit loop:

There is a set of three stairs to the right
behind Tango they obviously didn't see

Another small ladder

Still in love with rime...

Eisenhower summit cairn

Ty's new Ultimate Warmer Jacket

We returned via the same route, some of us virtually flying down the mountain.  Along the ridge, the temperature reached 40*.  It was unbelievable to be wearing a single layer and no hat or gloves along a somewhat exposed ridge in January.  (Thankfully, the winds were fierce enough on Ike to test Ty's new Hurtta Ultimate Warmer jacket, review to come because I am crazy impressed!).

Follow the leader

Lilo demonstrating the ease of the descent

As I actively fight the urge to do nothing but gush about how awesome Sunday was, I'll summarize the main points.  We were treated to a spring-like trip with warm-ish weather but the beauty of snow all around. Your results may vary, as we did dance with the alpine zone on Ike and were exposed along the ridge.  This is a very popular hike; we were only one of several groups but we were accompanied by the only four legged hikers of the day.  As of 1/31/2016, snowshoes are not necessary and we did not see a single pair in use.  Barebooting is possible but light traction is highly recommended (or "baby crampons" if you're me and want some extra digging in power when being dragged by an exuberant Carolina Dog!).  There are some trickles of running water for dogs between the parking lot and Webster Cliff Trail, though none of ours felt the need to drink much.

All smiles!

Famously moderate grade and well packed for good footing (with traction).  I got to see rime ice (a long time goal) and now get to say I have entered the alpine zone during winter.  Cheating a bit since the weather was so warm but hey, I'll take what I can get!  Overall, a wonderful day with friends and a huge smile on my face for getting to accomplish a winter hiking goal, check off #6 & 7 (I have officially decided to somewhat actively pursue the "Winter 48's"), and seeing each and every dog full of bliss. It couldn't have been a better day!