Eisenhower, Pierce, Hale and a Baby

[percious]

Thought I would leave this trip report. Thanks for all of the suggestions on an earlier thread, definately made this weekend run a little more smoothly.

Thursday the weather report came in saying rain for sat and sun. I decided on a pre-emptive strike, driving up late thursday night with Colden. Friday dawned, (sure gets light out early up north) and after a few packets of oatmeal, the baby pack was packed and we headed out to the Crawford Notch parking area. I drove down to the Edmand's path trailhead to learn that it is 2.1 miles from the Crawford parking lot.

After driving back, Colden and I then abandoned the car as we watched the helicopter busy at work ferrying loads to and fro. Colden walked for a mile down the quiet road, and we stopped to see bumblebees and mushrooms. Soon, he was hankering for the pack, so I hoisted him up and made way to the trailhead. We stopped for a snack and Colden wanted to hike on, so he did. A mile later, after numerous banana breaks at every water re-direct, Colden was re-mounted, and Daddy's legs were a-burnin.

After about 1 hour we reached the snowline, where the hiking became a bit dicey. Soon after, we ran into a couple, and the woman proclaimed "wow, there is someone out here as crazy as us." She had yet to see what I was hauling... After a brief chat, I continued on, as they turned back, and the edging was difficult, with postholing from time to time, up to my waist in some parts. At least the view was spectacular. Soon we approached the "turn back unless you know what you are doing" sign, and I put a third layer on Colden to block the wind. (The wind never came)

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[percious]

Finally, the snow eased, as we reached the shoulder of Eisenhower I could see Monroe in the distance. Clouds appeared to be forming over Washington. I wanted to get up and off this rock. By 2:30pm we were on the summit, and I paused to take a few pictures. I thought it would be better to head over to Pierce rather than contend with Edmund's and then a 2 mile road walk. Colden agreed, and then sleepness quickly came for him while we descended.

Sleep only lasted for 1/2 hour, which was a nice quiet break for a concerned daddy, and by the time we hit Pierce things were looking up. In 1/2 hour I had traveled between the two peaks. Not bad for hauling almost 50 lbs! I was greeted by a friendly Ontarioan (sp.?) couple, and we exchanged pictures. I ate some substantial grub for the first time and relaxed a bit for the upcomming descent.

Descending Crawford's path was considerably easier than would have been Edmund's, but the snow dipped and estimated 500 feet elevation lower than it did on our ascent. This was ok, as it was hard packed, and I postholed maybe once.

We were back at the parking lot, soon after visiting Brigg's falls. After ten miles, I was pretty shagged, and decided to go and find some beer to bring back to the campsite for after Colden went to bed. I decided to take the long route back, via the Kangamangus highway. (My son's security thing is Kanga) And this was a worthy 100 mile detor with spectacular views from my car. I cannot wait to climb some more of those hills.

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[percious]

Saturday we spent most of the day setting up camp, and visiting Littleton. It appeared to have been developed considerably in the two years I have been away. I was however glad to see a walmart, since my wallet had been considerably lightened by the campsite, and the local "town store" where I had gotten beer.

After a nap, Colden and I went for a walk from camp, our goal was one of the sugarloafs. Our initial attemps to cross zealand river were thwarted by a missing bridge, so we headed off down the road to the trailhead near the road. We travelled along the river's edge (Colden hiked this whole time) and then reached the cutoff for the Sugarloafs. Colden decided he had had enough, and I didn't feel like carrying him, so we headed back. He made it back within 100 yards of camp before I carried him in my arms. (this was after almost 2 hours of hiking around) The kid is a hiking machine, I swear.

My friend arrived around 6pm on Saturday night, and we ate a ton of pasta, and enjoyed a warm fire, and some smores. Colden and I both slept well.

Sunday we woke to rain, and I was glad we only had 4.4 miles of mount Hale planned. After a whole bunch of oatmeal (Colden was VERY hungry) we broke down camp and headed out bound for Hale.

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[percious]

Hale was a pleasant hike. Colden started out outside of the pack, but it was raining, so it was not too long (1/2 mile or so) before he was secured under a pancho in the pack. (not to self: get him some rain-proof pants).

Soon the three of us (me, Chris, and Colden) were greeted by the beautiful cascades and gorges that are Hale brook. We then reached the numerous switchbacks, and after this came the snow. I was actually surprised to see the snow so low on the mountain, but it probably was due to the orientation of the trail. An inch of mushy snow was on top of the hard packed spine, and this lasted for the remainder of the hike.

I was glad to spy the summit pile, and we were on top by 1pm. The temperature was hovering around the freezing point, and we were in the clouds, so we did not lolly-gag around the summit before descending. It seemed that the temperature dropped 5 degrees instantly and I was eager to get Colden out of the cold.

We made it back to our cars in less than an hour, and soon found ourselves in Lincoln, eating at the blue moon (or something). We said goodbye and headed our separate ways (Colden and me to CT, Chris to Boston).

-percious

llllllllllllufc vvvd45zc <--- Colden's entry
- (Colden)

 

[percious]

Pictures are up. (Actually updated quite a bit) So check 'em out!

www.percious.com/hiking

-percious