Pierce/Eisenhower conditions

[csprague]

Hello,

I have checked the trail condition forum and also those on other sites, and I just can't find any updates for these peaks within the last week. I would like to climb these on Saturday (up Pierce, over to Eisenhower, and back the same way) with my girlfriend, who probably wouldn't want to deal with snow since she's very new to hiking.

I do have a plan B hike that I know to be free of snow, but would really rather do Pierce/Eisenhower. Has anybody been up there in the past couple of days who can report on how much snow-pack is left?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[Lucky Laura]

I would bet your girlfriend would be fine with this route. Maybe a little snow just before Pierce but nothing on the ridge, I'd wager. Go for it! Should be a great day for being there.

 

[sardog1]

Mizpah Spring Hut, as you may know, is less than a mile from the Pierce summit and about 500 feet lower. The AMC Backcountry Weather & Trail Conditions Report for the Hut for today (May 28) states:

"Snow above Mizpah cutoff. Patches of snow before. Expect occasional post holing. No special equip needed. Ridges Clear."


The route to Pierce is in the trees almost all the way to the top, so without a lot of sun on that section, you might very well find "some" in the trees.

 

[Paul_Bear]

I hiked Pierce today (Friday 5/28). Not many people on the trail today, but very heavy traffic headed north this evening.

Crawford Path to the Mizpah cutoff is in great shape with no snow.

Crawford Path from the cutoff to Pierce has 10-12 large blowdowns, much dry trail, some standing/running water, some solid snow, some rotten snow. It will slow you down a bit, but it's all passable.

Webster Cliff Trail from Pierce to the hut was in good shape with just a small bit of snow in a spot or two.

Mizpah Cutoff has a half dozen or so blowdowns and just a couple of small snow patches. It's no problem.

I didn't go on to Ike, so I can't help with that section. Above treeline there didn't look to be any snow on Eisenhower.

 

[Mike P.]

If you didn't get there this weekend, here is what I found on Saturday.

We spotted a car & went up Edmands, over Eisenhower & then over to Pierce & down the the Crawford Path. Less snow, almost none, on Edmands path. (a bit at the small brook crossing) few down treees on Edmands.

Soem snow on C-Path between peaks, one spot had a couple of blow downs but not too hard to get by. Most of the snow & down trees are between Pierce & the road, between treeline & the Cut-off trail.

 

[csprague]

Yeah, we ended up doing this:
http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?t=36187

Thanks for the report, though!

This weekend's plans were for me to backpack the west side of the Grafton Loop with a buddy of mine, but the weather looks atrocious...

Chris

 

[Mike P.]

Csprague,

Webstser Cliff from Jackson to the hut can be tiresome for new hikers. After the two open bog areas, it's kind of boring with several small PUDS. The couple of times I've gone from Jackson to the Hut I never thought I'd get there. When doing that piece of teh trail, I prefer heading towards Jackson.