Hiked by: Tim and Jim on March 25, 2008 - via the Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail
Conditions: Cold at the parking lot (12F ) but warmed nicely throughout the day. Very sunny with virtually no wind at the summit
You can't do a hike in Crawford Notch without stopping at Irving for pre-walk nutrition. I enjoyed a filled cookie and Dad a blueberry scone. There was only one other car in the parking lot when we arrived. The forest service was also there empting the fee box. It was cold enough when we started that I thought about putting on my summit coat to start but decided against it. We had crampons and snowshoes but started off in bare boots. The trail was well packed with a bit of fluff on top. Now this was the white carpet that I remember from last winter!!! No sliding sideways on ice or fighting to get the snowshoes out of the fluff for the next step.
As we approached the summit, the trail started to become more vague. Instead of going over to the intersection with the Webster Cliff trail, people had just turned right and headed up over the snow and ice. We were able to kick toe our way up to the ridge where it was just a few yards from the summit.
The view along the Presidentials was fabulous. There was virtually no wind and we were able change into dry gear, have a snack and take all of the pictures we wanted.
The views to the south were equally fantastic but unfortunately we had left our White Mountain expert at home. I recognized Chocorua and could easily see several ski resorts in Vermont.
One landmark that I was sure of was the beautiful Mt Washington Hotel
With a day like this, we might as well capture it in every direction!!!
When it was time to head down we weren't able to find our exact route up and the ice was far more intimidating in the other direction. I put on Katoolas and Jim put on Stabilicers. We decided to head back to the Webster Cliff Crawford intersection. It was very steep with lots of ice down to the sign. After we turned left and headed southeast, the trail was still not visible. There were about three sets of tracks that all looked to eventually meet up with the trail.
This was Jim's first winter hike in the Whites and nothing says winter hiking like feeding a Gray Jay at a trail intersection.
Not surprisingly, one of the best views was from the pull-off next to the Mt Washington Hotel.
Of course there was the all important Post-Hike stop of Irving to refuel!!
Stats: 6.8 miles RT, 7 hrs with an hour at the top