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Trailwork, Mt Pierce - page 2 of 2

After reaching the Dry River Trail, I sat down for a well-deserved rest, forcing down a Power Bar (for energy, not because I was hungry) and admiring the colors of the trees above me. The sky was an extremely clear deep blue color that offered a sharp contrast to the yellow and gold tones of the numerous tall birches. Thinking back, it had been over 7 years since I had last been on the Dry River Trail. Muffin and I passed this very spot on our way to Rt 302 after climbing Mt Isolation in August of 2001.

It was a long way back to Mizpah - 3 miles and 1900 ft - especially after sawing and lifting heavy logs and branches most of the day, so I couldn't stop to rest for long. On the way back I checked my work, built another small cairn, and dragged a few more branches around. Obscure brook crossings and false paths that aren't obvious when going downhill can be more apparent going uphill, and vice-versa.

I got back around 5:30, just in time to change and take a short rest before dinner. It was good timing too, because shortly after I got back, it started to rain. I was particularly hungry that night and the food was particularly good. The first course was vegetarian chili and some biscuits that really hit the spot. I sat at a table with a hut informational volunteer and several people who I found out lived in Framingham and Marlboro, both towns near where to I live.

Afterward, as it had stopped raining, I took my usual evening hike up to the south summit of Mt Pierce. It's a spot with views to Mt Washington in clear weather and where I can get cell phone reception. I like to check to make sure everything's okay at home, which it was, and my wife and daughter like to hear that I'm all right up in the mountains.  Back in my sleeping bag in the hut, I meant to do a little reading, but fell asleep instead. My winter bag, an REI minus 5 degree down bag, is particularly soft and cozy.

Day 2

After breakfast, I packed up my gear, including my tools, which I was going to bring home over the winter, and then left my pack in the dining room to take a quick hike to the summit of Mt Pierce and back. I didn't see any sense in carrying the extra weight up the steep ascent on the Webster Cliff Trail. On the way up, I passed a guy and his daughter who had been at the hut overnight, and who were now headed to Mt Washington via Eisenhower and Monroe. They caught up to me again on top of Mt Pierce, and we all watched the drifting fog first envelope and then uncover the peaks to the north. One minute there was nothing to see, and then Mt Eisenhower appeared briefly from out of its ghostly shroud. The air was a bit chilly and damp, and the wind went right through me. None of us stayed on the exposed summit very long. I watched as they descended into the col and disappeared into the void below.

After picking up my pack at the hut, I headed back down the Mizpah Cutoff and Crawford Path to my car at the Highland Center. Being Saturday, and Columbus Day weekend, there were quite a few hikers on their way up the trail.

Two different views looking up at the tops of the trees at the Dry River Trail junction. The sky was an extremely clear deep blue color that offered a sharp contrast to the yellow and gold tones of the numerous tall birches.

Brook crossing. This is one of the major brook crossings where I worked on cairn building, since the exact route of the trail was fairly obscure.

Looking south from a viewpoint on the Webster Cliff Trail. The views from this open ledge are a reward after struggling up the steepest part of the trail from the hut,

Self-portrait on the summit of Mt Pierce. The summit cairn is behind me.

Hikers descending the north side of Mt Pierce. It was quite windy and chilly on the exposed summit rocks, and these hikers quickly headed for the shelter of the scrub below.

Into the void. A hiker disappears into the fog as he descends the north side of Mt Pierce on his way to Mt Eisenhower.

Mt Eisenhower peeking out of the fog. As the mists ebbed and flowed, the top of Mt Eisenhower appeared briefly from out of its ghostly shroud.

Highland Center. Coming out of the woods on the Crawford Path, the Highland Center and Mt Tom dominate the western view.

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