Jackson and Pierce 9/24

[gaiagirl]

I did this hike the long way, heading up and then back down Webster Cliff Trail alone. And it was my second attempt, having started up this trail 2 weeks ago on a hot weekday with nobody else to speak of on the trails. About ten minutes past the first tier of cliffs I heard a bear chuff and moan just below me, which had me a little bit spooked. I know better than to be afraid of black bears, but I've been doing a lot of hiking alone on trails that are completely deserted and I worry, sometimes during and often afterward, about a lot of things --- getting lost, being out there after dark with an uncooperative headlamp, breaking an ankle, etc. There were 2 guys behind me but they were much slower and were heading for Mizpah, so I wondered if I would be coming down the trail alone later. I turned around on that day, thinking that I've taking some small chances lately, doing so much hiking alone, and that maybe this was not a day to do so. No worries though on Saturday with the crowds in clusters on the trail Saturday!

Big bunches of people were on the summit of Webster and on the cliffs too. And lots of folks on the summit of Jackson especially as well. Amazing how warm it felt the whole way. In places there was a nice breeze, but even up high the sun's warmth made it feel like a midsummer day only without the humidity. It was the perfect day for any hike. The views were heart-breakingly beautiful in every direction, with a tiny bit of foliage popping here and there and skies so blue it looked like some color out of a crayola box. I am beginning to know some of these peaks really well and only needed the Scudder's guide for some of the more distant views. Eisenhower will always be a special summit and though I have hiked this entire area at this point, I know I will be back on Edman's Path soon.

And as I drove toward home around 6:30 on the Franconia Parkway, the sunset cast a rosy orange glow over the landscape on the west sides of the higher slopes and summits until the disc slipped past the visible horizon. It was a fitting sight to end to the day.
I hope to have some pictures soon from this trip as well as several others I've done over the past week or two. The views from Liberty and Flume on Wednesday were unbeatable and I met a very cooperative male spruce grouse on the trail Monday, so I hope I got some nice shots.

 

[Tom & Atticus]

We were on Webster (first) and Jackson (second) on Saturday, too, and you are right, it was a great day for views. One of my favorite views in the Whites is that mass of the Willey Range from Webster. It's breathtaking!

I had the additional gift of being with someone who is just starting to hike and it is great to see the mountains through her eyes as she sees things for the first time. She marveled at the cliffs, at Willey and Field and Tom and Carrigain and the shear drop off down to Crawford Notch. She then got to marvel at the view of the southern Presidentials leading to Washington. It's fun to see a newcomer to hiking get hooked on it.

The views were great, but once on Jackson it became clear that autumn is here...it was chilly!

 

[gaiagirl]

It did seem like a popular place to be

There were lots of people out that way Saturday for sure. I don't think there was a bad place to hike anywhere in the Northeast on Saturday really. I thought it was very warm myself, but I was moving pretty fast, so maybe that was it. I'll be excited to see what I got for pictures. The views were certainly breathtaking. It is always nicer to hike with someone, in my opinion, and very nice to have it be someone who is seeing it all for the first time and to be sharing the experience.

 

[MichaelJ]

Saturday was indeed a perfect day to be out, especially someplace with views. I'm looking forward to your pictures ... the views into Crawford Notch must have been absolutely breathtaking!

If you're going to revisit Ike, try it sometime in winter. Head up the Crawford Path past Pierce, out to Eisenhower and back. That's one beautiful and not difficult winter trip.

 

[gaiagirl]

I may do Ike again this fall but I will take your advice and do it this winter as well. I can see why it would be not terribly difficult as a winter hike. I should have a picture disc in hand soon and there are bound to be some very nice shots from this hike as well as some other recent ones. Time to get myself a real camera ASAP.