Mt. Eisenhower via Edmands Path
Where: Mt. Eisenhower via Edmands Path
When: September 22, 2018
With: Meditech folks
Scott took care of the arrangements, contacting current and former Meditechers and proposing a date. It was a fairly large group at first, but a number of folks dropped out in the final week. In the end, there were eight of us (5 adults, 3 kids). Two of us (me and another) were driving up that morning. The others had booked lodging and made a weekend of it.
I enjoyed the early departure from home (5:30) and the ride up through New Hampshire. It was something I haven't done in quite a long time, and it brought back fond memories as both the sun and the mountains rose as I drove north. The cliffs of Franconia Notch still managed to astound.
Though long, the drive was straightforward, and I landed at the parking area about a half hour early. There was a bit of concern as cars continued to come in and fill the spaces, but the rest of group got the last few spots and we were quickly geared up and on the trail. All experienced hikers, we found our places in the line, making conversation and changing positions often.
The trail was fairly flat at first, crossing a couple of streams as it made its way into the woods. It was a famous path, nearly 100 years old, and created by a legendary trail maker, J. Raynor Edmunds. Educated at MIT and employed at the Harvard Observatory, he was devoted to creating navigable trails with moderate grades, in contrast to the traditionally difficult trails in the Whites.
Eventually we reached the mountain's slope and the trail began to climb. It wasn't terribly tough walking, but we took a number of breaks, letting the kids explore and allowing the spread-out walkers to regroup. The weather was perfect, cool but not cold, allowing us to walk in shirtsleeves for the most part. I wore a homemade t-shirt with pictures of Brian.
Slow & steady walking got us higher and higher, and we began to get views as the trees thinned and the path made its way along the side of the slope. We also began to see some hikers coming back down, and other groups coming up from behind us (one was a sizable Boy Scout troop). It was evident that a trail crew had been through recently, clearing trees blown down in a recent storm.
The trail got rockier, and steeper, then eased a good bit. I had moved out ahead of the group and was walking on my own when and I came to a sign on a tree as the trail was about to exit the tree line. It warned that the area ahead had possibly dangerous, or even deadly conditions. A few steps further and I was out in the open, with the Presidential peaks all around (though capped in mist). Absent the protection of the trees, the wind made itself very evident. I paused to put on my mountain parka before continuing. It was just about noon, three hours after we'd begun.
The trail continued a short bit along the base of the Eisenhower summit, then moved up to a junction with the Crawford Path, another old & venerable route in the Whites. I paused there a bit, taking pictures and checking out the trails and views while awaiting the rest of the group. Eventually they emerged from the woods and we all gathered in a small sheltered area to plan our next steps. For some, the walk to this point was enough, and they settled in to rest and eat some lunch.
The rest of us elected to continue on to the Eisenhower summit. It was a tough, but ultimately short, rocky scramble. At times the mountain provided cover from the wind. Other times, the wind was so strong that we could barely stand, and couldn't hear a spoken word. A series of log steps marked the final approach and at last we found ourselves at the large summit cairn.
We lingered there a bit, giving each member of the crew time to join us at the top. Pictures were taken and views were admired before we decided it was time to descend. Back to our companions in the sheltered col, then back down the trail and into the trees once again.
We went a ways, then stopped at a flat area with good wind protection, and had a late lunch. Scott pulled out a backpacking stove and make a couple of rounds of Jiffy Pop popcorn. A nice move for the kids. While we ate, we kept our eye on the surrounding peaks and managed to catch a few glimpses of the Mount Washington Observatory through the clouds streaming across the mountain tops. We later learned that the Observatory recorded 100 mph winds earlier that day. We certainly had winds of at least 50 mph when we were at the top of Eisenhower.
Refueled, we hoisted our packs and began the long walk back to the base. I began using my hiking poles to take some of the strain off my knees and thighs. The group spread out, with few attempts to keep everyone together. The path was obvious, so there was no concern with letting the kids strike out on their own, or with others losing their way.
As usual, the walk out seemed to go on longer than expected. The final section in particular, in the lower flat area, seemed particularly long (others commented on it...not just me!). But of course the trail did eventually end and we were back at our cars. In short order the entire crew was out of the woods and soon we were on our ways home. It was about 4:30, so about 7.5 hours total hiking time.
More pictures
When: September 22, 2018
With: Meditech folks
This hike was suggested by Scott Radner, as a tribute for Brian White. Brian was my first manager at Meditech, and organized many fondly recalled hiking trips for folks at the company. Sadly, Brian passed away shortly after retiring, and Scott thought a hike would be an appropriate way to honor and remember him. The Edmands Path and Mt. Eisenhower had been a trip Brian wanted to do, and was a doable, yet still challenging hike.
Scott took care of the arrangements, contacting current and former Meditechers and proposing a date. It was a fairly large group at first, but a number of folks dropped out in the final week. In the end, there were eight of us (5 adults, 3 kids). Two of us (me and another) were driving up that morning. The others had booked lodging and made a weekend of it.
I enjoyed the early departure from home (5:30) and the ride up through New Hampshire. It was something I haven't done in quite a long time, and it brought back fond memories as both the sun and the mountains rose as I drove north. The cliffs of Franconia Notch still managed to astound.
Though long, the drive was straightforward, and I landed at the parking area about a half hour early. There was a bit of concern as cars continued to come in and fill the spaces, but the rest of group got the last few spots and we were quickly geared up and on the trail. All experienced hikers, we found our places in the line, making conversation and changing positions often.
The trail was fairly flat at first, crossing a couple of streams as it made its way into the woods. It was a famous path, nearly 100 years old, and created by a legendary trail maker, J. Raynor Edmunds. Educated at MIT and employed at the Harvard Observatory, he was devoted to creating navigable trails with moderate grades, in contrast to the traditionally difficult trails in the Whites.
Eventually we reached the mountain's slope and the trail began to climb. It wasn't terribly tough walking, but we took a number of breaks, letting the kids explore and allowing the spread-out walkers to regroup. The weather was perfect, cool but not cold, allowing us to walk in shirtsleeves for the most part. I wore a homemade t-shirt with pictures of Brian.
Slow & steady walking got us higher and higher, and we began to get views as the trees thinned and the path made its way along the side of the slope. We also began to see some hikers coming back down, and other groups coming up from behind us (one was a sizable Boy Scout troop). It was evident that a trail crew had been through recently, clearing trees blown down in a recent storm.
The trail got rockier, and steeper, then eased a good bit. I had moved out ahead of the group and was walking on my own when and I came to a sign on a tree as the trail was about to exit the tree line. It warned that the area ahead had possibly dangerous, or even deadly conditions. A few steps further and I was out in the open, with the Presidential peaks all around (though capped in mist). Absent the protection of the trees, the wind made itself very evident. I paused to put on my mountain parka before continuing. It was just about noon, three hours after we'd begun.
The trail continued a short bit along the base of the Eisenhower summit, then moved up to a junction with the Crawford Path, another old & venerable route in the Whites. I paused there a bit, taking pictures and checking out the trails and views while awaiting the rest of the group. Eventually they emerged from the woods and we all gathered in a small sheltered area to plan our next steps. For some, the walk to this point was enough, and they settled in to rest and eat some lunch.
The rest of us elected to continue on to the Eisenhower summit. It was a tough, but ultimately short, rocky scramble. At times the mountain provided cover from the wind. Other times, the wind was so strong that we could barely stand, and couldn't hear a spoken word. A series of log steps marked the final approach and at last we found ourselves at the large summit cairn.
We lingered there a bit, giving each member of the crew time to join us at the top. Pictures were taken and views were admired before we decided it was time to descend. Back to our companions in the sheltered col, then back down the trail and into the trees once again.
We went a ways, then stopped at a flat area with good wind protection, and had a late lunch. Scott pulled out a backpacking stove and make a couple of rounds of Jiffy Pop popcorn. A nice move for the kids. While we ate, we kept our eye on the surrounding peaks and managed to catch a few glimpses of the Mount Washington Observatory through the clouds streaming across the mountain tops. We later learned that the Observatory recorded 100 mph winds earlier that day. We certainly had winds of at least 50 mph when we were at the top of Eisenhower.
Refueled, we hoisted our packs and began the long walk back to the base. I began using my hiking poles to take some of the strain off my knees and thighs. The group spread out, with few attempts to keep everyone together. The path was obvious, so there was no concern with letting the kids strike out on their own, or with others losing their way.
As usual, the walk out seemed to go on longer than expected. The final section in particular, in the lower flat area, seemed particularly long (others commented on it...not just me!). But of course the trail did eventually end and we were back at our cars. In short order the entire crew was out of the woods and soon we were on our ways home. It was about 4:30, so about 7.5 hours total hiking time.
More pictures
