Eisenhower & Monroe traverse

[richard]

I`d like to hike Mt .Eisenhower tomorrow using the edmands path. if possible I`d also like to include Mt.Monroe. I am going by myself so I must finish at the same place I start. Is there a marked trail going over to Monroe from Eisenhower? Would this be considered a difficult hike? Thanks for any help.

 

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Mt. Monroe and Mt. Eisenhower:

go up the Edmands Path and follow the Crawford Path to Monroe, returning the same way [rt: 9.8 miles, 3,800 feet, 6:50].

Difficulty is in the eye of the beholder (or the legs of the hiker)

 

[peakbagger]

There is no direct path, the old railroad grade shown on some older maps from the cog road to Mt Clinton road is grown in so your only choice is to go down Ammo trail (which may still have some ice in spots) and walk down the Cog Road and up Mt Clinton road back to Edmonds. I have done it a few times and the road walk can be kind of long at the end of the day. One option is to bring a bike and chain it to a tree at the Ammo lot and then ride it back to Edmonds Path. THe COg road is all down hill and most of Mt Clinton road is somewhat flat (with some occasion dips and rises).

 

[richard]

thanks for the info.(Good idea with the bike.)

 

[richard]

I just thought of something !!! If I go up Edmands, does it connect to the Crawford path and then up to Monroe , then back and up Eisenhower? THANKS.

 

[peakbagger]

I am bit concerned that you are thinking about doing this hike without a map as its pretty obvious that yes Edmonds path does connect up with Crawford Path. From that intersection you can go North to the Monroe Loop or you can take a right and go up Eisenhower via the Eisenhower loop. When you look at the map you will see that Crawford Path does not go over either summit but there are loop paths which do.

The trails junctions on the north side of Mt Eisenhower are somewhat confusing with lots of abandoned routes to confuse things, be very careful you keep track of where you are going.

You may want to check out this site http://hikesafe.com/index.php?page=full-gear-list which is the recommended gear you need which is headlined by a map.

 

[richard]

Thanks. I`ll make sure I have a map.

 

[sierra]

The trails are very obvious and you can go to Monroe, then just retrace your route back to the Edmunds path. This traverse does put you above treeline for quite sometime, so keep an eye on the sky, the route would be considerbly harder in bad weather if your not familiar with it. If you were near or on Monroe when bad weather hit, you would have to descend the Ammou via lake of the clouds hut, going back along the ridge in bad weather would not be wise for you. The roadwalk would be safer and its not that bad.

 

[richard]

Thanks. I appreciate all the help.

 

[Grey J]

I did this basic route in 09 going up Edmands Path, which is a lovely trail and lives up to its billing, and then following Crawford Path to the Lakes Hut. I looped back over Monroe and my favorite non-peak, Little Monroe (5225 ft) then took a detour on the side path to Franklin (it may not be an actual "summit" but it is purported to be 5001 ft) before returning via Edmands Path. Its a beautiful hike with lots of time above treeline. If you get a clear day the views are awesome.

 

[DougPaul]

Thanks. I`ll make sure I have a map.

I suggest that you get the AMC White Mountain Guide. http://amcstore.outdoors.org/white-mountain-guide It gives detailed trail descriptions and contains maps for all of the White Mtn NF. It is basically the guide to the hiking trails in the WMNF. Available from hiking stores and online.

Answers to your questions posted here (and a whole lot more) can be found within.

Doug

 

[richard]

I did this hike yesterday and it was AWESOME ! Thanks for all the help.