Crawford Path to Mts. Pierce, Eisenhower & Monroe

The Crawford Path ascends at moderate grade from the parking lot (across from the AMC Highland Center on Route 302) to the summit of Mt. Pierce. It's a far easier way to reach the Presidential Range than the Caps Ridge Trail to Mt. Jefferson. Once you've made it to Mt. Pierce on the Crawford Trail, the raging wind (approaching 50mph or more) is a constant companion, threatening to knock you down in spots. The incessant wind continues along the entire stretch of the Crawford Path -- essentially along the entire ridge to Mts. Eisenhower and Monroe. If the weather cooperates, and yesterday it did, you can see the summits of the entire Presidential Range, including Mt. Washington. It was a "beyond perfect" day; the expansive views are the best in the White Mountains, in my opinion. But so much depends on the weather; I know many hikers haven't been so lucky. When we were on Eisenhower, the views toward Mt. Washington were unimpeded... not a cloud in the sky!

Mt. Monroe can be summited from the southwest via the Mt. Monroe loop, or from the northeast from the Lake of the Clouds hut. Either way it's a challenge to battle the wind and stay on the steep, rocky path.

The Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail would clearly be a better trail to ascend than descend: it requires some scrambling and BIG steps to get down. But it's still no match for the much more difficult (i.e., more scrambling) Caps Ridge Trail.

Leaders Nelson Caraballo and Don Provencher were excellent, giving AMC's Boston Chapter a good name! The pace was excellent: a "talk while you walk" pace. I'd like to hike with them again.

9.8 miles; 3,750 ft. elevation gain
Summits: Mt. Pierce = 4,312'; Mt. Eisenhower = 4,760'; Mt. Monroe = 5,372'
Route: Crawford Path to Mt. Pierce and Mt. Eisenhower; Mt. Eisenhower Loop to Mt. Eisenhower summit; Crawford Path to Mt. Monroe; Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail down from Mt. Monroe to Base Road