Eisenhower/Pierce 12/5/09

[KRobi]

On Saturday my hiking group went up Eisenhower and over to Pierce. The Mt. Clinton road was "open", but was borderline without 4 wheel drive and good clearance. There are a number of semi-cleared blowdowns to avoid and many branches in the road. After the hike and with the storm yesterday the exit back to 302 was even more hazardous.
Edmands Path was fine down low but most needed microspikes by Abenaki Brook. Someone, earlier in the week with lots of effort postholed the whole way to Crawford Path. The only way up Edmands path due to the width of the trail was in the postholes. Unless you have long legs it takes some effort to hike. Hopefully after a couple of snowstorms someone will hike it with snowshoes. Barebooting will be very hazardous until these get filled in. After reaching the Crawford path the conditions were as Big Earl has posted in his Southern Presi thread. His description of the Crawford Path is totally accurate! It will take some major work to get the blowdowns cleared. With snow, the blowdowns will present new challenges! The weather was "warm" and we did get some early views from Eisenhower. Even with the extra hour and a half ride home it was a great day out

 

[Cymbidium]

Love that Edmands Path!

Fran and I really enjoyed it. Dinner and companionship afterwards rounded out a great day. I echo what you said about bare booting. I am probably preaching to the choir here but: "When the snow is deep PLEASE snowshoe whenever possible!"
Karen