| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Eisenhower, NH |
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 | Trails: |
Edmands Path, abandoned Edmands Path, Crawford Path, Eisenhower Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 13, 2021 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Mt. Clinton Road was open. Thankfully I had my saw with me as there where plentiful blowdows on the road. I had to saw three trees along the way to get by. This road is riddled with potholes and frostheaves and caution should be taken |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Ice - Black, Wet Trail, Ice - Blue, Wet/Slippery Rock, Ice - Breakable Crust, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
Light Traction |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
At the time of my crossing of the lower crossing of Abenaki Brook the USGS for Saco & Barlett (station 010642505) was discharging at 850 CFS. I was able to make it across with minor heroics and still had dry feet. Upon return I opted to take the older version of the trail and still was able to rock hop. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
There is an excellent write up about J. Rayner Edmands in your white guide supplemental information in your maroon. The trail is in excellent shape until about 3000 feet. The trail maintainer has done an fine job in honoring and preserving this trail builder's efforts. It has had some waterbar love and it shows to this point. Looks like the maintainer called it a day after that, and its muddy/running water after this. There is one 4" spruce at 3650 and another at 3750. I was able to Bruce Lee karate kick one and break it enough to remove it (this one at about 3700) I must have rough cleared 50 bars above 3000 feet with trek poles. Also lots of fresh limbs down from the wind storm, i was having fun cleaning those. I did also note some brushing done above the crossing of Mt. Pleasant Brook |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Several doggoes out enjoying a fine day |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
It looked like someone was raptured at the trailhead. There where a pair of small female purple Oboz winter boots left in the lot. There was what looked like very long mens camel belt, a long sleeve base layer and a hat. I am thinking maybe two people got raptured, that is a stretch with the sizing for a crossdresser. |
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 | Comments: |
A FINE day in and above the forest. I had orphaned Ike so this fit the bill with the weather window and the higher rivers. Nothing unexpected (as in dry/wet/running water/very minor ice in the blowdown section) to the upper crossing of Mount Pleasant Brook. Knowing this trail and seeing the monster ice flow did not make me feel confident I was going to be summitting. Nevertheless, I was able to ascend the ice chute of doom. It was only about 30 feet in length. I had rock spikes with me, which are about as sharp as a stick of butter, and then where really not appropriate traction for this. Actual sharp spikes where needed. I was able to slowly ascend with very deliberate and thought out steps. Post this on the long side hill section to treeline was fine, though in the immediate hundred yards or so, blue (bullet) ice appears. At this time I was able to both ascend and descend this section without spikes, though I would absolutely recommend wearing them - i figured id rather have no spikes then have the confidence of having dull spikes on and getting myself into trouble. There where enough rocks to leap like a ballerina. To my delight, the tallus field was bare and dry! Usually in the winter this is a turn around point. Trails where dry or otherwise rock hoppable to avoid ice to the summit proper. I had it all to myself for about 15 minutes. Several folks on the way up as I was descending. The Ice Chute of Doom, with warmer temps and more traffic became more like the Ice Chute of Extreme Caution, which does not have the same ring to it, with people breaking ice off the rocks on their ascent. As noted above, I took the abandoned section of Edmands' down low to the old trailhead and roadwalked. Need to prep for road walk season somehow. |
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 | Name: |
The Teal Goat |
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 | E-Mail: |
sea2thebiscuit@yahoo.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2021-11-14 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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