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Hike Mt Eisenhower and Mt Pierce via Edmands and Crawford Path Loop, NH

  • Writer: Steve
    Steve
  • Sep 16, 2020
  • 5 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Hike distance: 10.8 miles

Elevation Gain: 3,150 ft elevation gain

Prominence: Mt Eisenhower: 350 ft, Mt Pierce: 235 ft


TrailsNH Hiking Difficulty Calculator: 261 – Challenging

Click here for a review of prominence and its role in mountain topography

Click here to navigate to the TrailsNH website for a description of the hiking difficulty calculator


Quote for the Day

“You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” Dr Seuss.


The Presidential Mountain Range is situated in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It features the tallest peaks in the Whites, with most summits named after American presidents and notable public figures from the 18th and 19th centuries. The range is infamous for experiencing some of the world's harshest weather, primarily due to the unpredictable high winds and whiteout conditions on its higher summits. Photo courtesy of Granitegeeks.

Among the eleven recognized Presidential Range Mountains, Mt. Eisenhower (4,780 ft) is the 6th tallest, while Mt. Pierce (4,310 ft) is the 7th tallest. Out of the 67 New England 4000 footers, Eisenhower is the 12th tallest, and Pierce is the 30th tallest.


Starting on The Edmands Trail

We started our hike at the Edmands Trailhead with ideal weather conditions for hiking. The trail initially had a gentle incline, preparing us for what was to come.

Mt Eisenhower via Edmands Path.
Red leave on Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower

We crossed several small streams.

Stream crossing Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower
Mt Eisenhower via Edmands Path.

After 0.75 miles, the trail grew steeper, with more rocks and roots.

Mt Eisenhower via Edmands Path.

Fortunately most of the rocks were well organized and not difficult to navigate around.

Eroded and rock covered Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower

If you often hike in areas where the trails are well-maintained and smooth, you might find hiking in the Whites disappointing due to the need to constantly navigate over rocks and exposed roots.

Eroded and rock covered Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower

As I've noted in other blog posts, the Appalachian Mountain Club suggests that the notion of New England trails being rockier and steeper than those in other parts of the country is somewhat accurate.

Eroded and rock covered Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower
Eroded and rock covered Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower

In addition to the ruggedness of the trails, the paths leading to the White Mountain peaks are very steep, ascending more than 1,000 feet per mile for several miles without any switchbacks to offer physical or mental respite to tired hikers. In these conditions, it's best to keep your gaze downward to maintain hope and take small steps to prevent overworking your quadriceps muscles.

Eroded and rock covered Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower

After two miles, we arrived at a part of the trail that offered partial views of the mountains.

View of White Mountains from Edmands Path

The scenery offered a chance to pause and rest from the relentless uphill climb.

View of White Mountains from Edmands Path

A tough section of the trail to navigate holding a 35-mm camera.

Eroded and rock covered Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower

Just a friendly reminder from the National Forest Service.

Extreme weather warning on Edmands Path. Worst weather in America.

The path became narrower as thick trees grew densely on either side.

Dense forest along Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower

Through the occasional clearings, we could glimpse some of the Presidential Mountains. At the center of the view stands Mt. Washington at 6,288 feet, the highest mountain in the state, and to the left, partially obscured by the tree trunk and branch, is Mt. Jefferson at 5,712 feet.

Mt Washington from Edmands path to Mt Eisenhower

We emerged from the wooded area, and luckily, there was no wind. This part of the trail is where weather conditions determine if it is safe to proceed hiking above the tree line. In winter, Mt. Washington typically encounters hurricane-force winds every three days and 100-mph winds weekly. This sentence sums it up: Mt. Washington's danger isn't due to its height, trail length, or terrain roughness. The danger comes from the mountain creating its own weather.

Ledge along Edmands Path to Mt Eisenhower

We had broad sweeping views leading to the Mt Washington summit.

Ravines at base of Mt Washington.

Following the Eisenhower Loop

After 2.5 hours we reached the junction with Crawford Trail which leads to the Presidential Traverse and Mt. Washington. After our lunch break, we'd follow the Eisenhower Loop to the summit.

Trail sign junction of Edmands Path and Crawford Path

What a backdrop.

Mt Washington from Edmands path to Mt Eisenhower

We had to climb up this rock outcropping before heading to the summit. It was larger than it appears in the picture.

Rocky crag on Mt Eisenhower Loop Trail

A close-up of a hiker climbing the outcropping

Hiker climbing rocky crag on Mt Eisenhower Loop Trail

Time to get moving again.

Climbing rocky crag on Mt Eisenhower Loop Trail

Dave making his way up the switchbacks of this crag. It's incredibly fortunate to have such a clear view of Mt Washington (the first peak moving from left to right).

View of White Mountains from Eisenhower Loop Trail
Climbing rocky crag leading to Mt Eisenhower summit

Dave is waiting patiently up ahead. I'm not a slow climber; it just takes time to position myself for the perfect shot.

Climbing rocky crag leading to Mt Eisenhower summit

From this elevation, we could look down see our lunch spot and where the Edmands and Crawford trails intersected.

Junction of Edmands Path and Crawford Path from Mt Eisenhower

Still climbing the crag.

Climbing rocky crag leading to Mt Eisenhower summit

Although the cairns weren't needed today they are probably life savers during bad weather.

Climbing rocky crag leading to Mt Eisenhower summit

Twenty minutes after restarting, we reached the bald summit of Mt Eisenhower, standing at 4,760 feet with 360 degree views. In 1972, this mountain, originally called Mt Pleasant, was renamed by the New Hampshire state legislature to honor the former U.S. president.

Summit of Mt Eisenhower in the Presidential Mountain Range. 4000 footer

Clear skies looking toward the east.

Summit of Mt Eisenhower in the Presidential Mountain Range. 4000 footer

Starting to hike off the summit via switchbacks.

Trail from Mt Eisenhower summit to Crawford Path

We were making our way to the ridgeline. Mt Pierce, the tallest peak in the foreground, is positioned slightly to the left of center in the picture below.

Trail from Mt Eisenhower summit to Crawford Path

Walking along the mostly flat ridgeline was a welcome break.

Ridgeline trail to Mt Pierce.

In several parts of the trail, there were elevated platforms designed to safeguard the delicate plant life in these marshy regions.

Ridgeline trail to Mt Pierce

Following the Webster Cliff Trail

The Webster Cliff Trail to Mt Pierce was marked by a small sign but I photographed the wrong side.

Crawford Path trail sign

On the brief 0.1-mile summit trail, we looked back at the dome-shaped peak of Mt Eisenhower and the ridge line we had traversed after descending from the summit.

Trail leading to Mt Pierce summit

A close-up of the geodetic survey marker at the summit of Mount Pierce (4,310 ft). The second NH 4000-footer achieved today.

Geodetic survey marker at summit of Mt Pierce in the Presidential Mountain Range. 4000 footer

Following the Crawford Path

The 1.5-mile trek between the peaks was straightforward, but it was now time to proceed to the Crawford Path and begin the difficult descent of the loop.

Trails in the Whites ascend and descend the mountains at steep angles without using switchbacks, so they act like rivers during rainfall. The water flows down the trails, leading to erosion, which uncovers more roots and rocks, further deepening the trails and channels.

Eroded and rock covered Crawford Path from Mt Eisenhower

The never ending rocky road continued for 3 miles with an average grade of 20% or more.

Eroded and rock covered Crawford Path from Mt Eisenhower

Some individuals navigate smoothly from rock to rock without any concern, while others, like me, cautiously maneuver between rocks and around exposed roots.

Eroded and rock covered Crawford Path from Mt Eisenhower

Gibbs Falls provided a refreshing break from the otherwise monotonous task of navigating every rock and root.

Gibbs Fall on Crawford Path from Mt Eisenhower. White Mountains waterfall.

Less than a half mile later we were back at the car and ready for the long drive home.


Hike Distance: 10.8 miles

Duration: 7.25 hours

Average Pace: 40.5 min/mile


As we were driving home on Route 302, we enjoyed a fantastic view of Mt Eisenhower.


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