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Mt Monroe, Mt Eisenhower, Mt Pierce - page 6 of 6

As expected, the hike up the Webster Cliff Trail to the summit of Mt Pierce only took a few minutes. We stopped at the summit cairn for some pictures, and I was glad to see that Muffin's feet were not bothering her, even after hiking over rocky terrain all day. The last time I was on Mt Pierce was on a cold, icy, and very windy February day in 1999. It was sure a lot different in the summer.

It was all downhill from here, literally. I was planning on heading back via Mizpah Spring Hut. The Webster Cliff Trail descends steeply to the hut over a very rocky path. Partway down, I grabbed onto a tree for support and cut my hand on a sharp point. I didn't really want to stop and drag out my first aid kit, so I just wrapped my hand in a scarf and waited until we reached the hut to clean and bandage it.

By the time we got to the hut, I was ready to sit down and rest for a while. As usual, I had to tie Muffin up outside. This isn't easy at Mizpah because there isn't a porch or benches, so I just rolled a rock over the end of her leash and left her near the door. The girl croo member from whom I bought a t-shirt was excited to go out and pet Muffin because she missed her own dog back home. Muffin is usually popular when we meet other hikers on the trail because she's friendly and small enough not to be intimidating to most people.

The trip down the Mizpah Cutoff and Crawford Path went fairly quickly, although my feet were definitely tired by the time we reached the notch. At the Highland Center, I used the payphone to call for a shuttle. When I come down some distance from my car, I use either the Shuttle Connection in Lincoln, or Art Jolin's White Mountain Shuttle in Gorham (603-466-2127). By the time I return to the road, the AMC Shuttle has usually made its last run for the day. Anyway, the shuttle soon arrived and returned us to the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead. We headed home, tired but happy with the day's hike.

Muffin on Mt Pierce. After all our hiking over rocky terrain, I was glad to see that Muffin's feet were not bothering her.

muffin on pierce.jpg (136866 bytes)

Me on Mt Pierce. The last time I was here was in February, 1999. It looks a lot different in the summer.

me on pierce.jpg (69138 bytes)

Webster Cliff Trail. The trail descends steeply over a rocky path from Mt Pierce to Mizpah Spring Hut.

webster cliff trail.jpg (140929 bytes)

Mizpah Spring Hut. In my opinion, Mizpah is one of the better-designed huts. It has both 8-person and 4-person bunkrooms, and is spacious, airy, and well-lit.

mizpah hut.jpg (101778 bytes)

The front desk at Mizpah Spring Hut. The stairs at the left go up a half-floor to the bunk rooms, and then up again to a second floor croo room and a little library with an old pump organ.

mizpah desk.jpg (108127 bytes)

Map

  Monroe-Eisenhower-Pierce page: 

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