January 11, 2015 Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce, & Mt. Jackson. Peaks # 17-19

With a forecast for slightly less cold temps and moderate winds, we cooked up an ambitious plan for Mt. Eisenhower, Mt. Pierce, & Mt. Jackson. In the past, Jillian and I have done this trip without going to Mt. Jackson, but seeing how this is a numbers game, and it is a long drive to just get Jackson, we had little choice. Crawford Path was where we started - so we were off. The hike up was as uneventful as always. It is white hard pack snow - gotta love it. Crawford Path is one of the trails we have done so many times I think we could sleepwalk it. 

Snack time at the junction with the Mizpha Cut-Off

Jillian with Ike

We made short work of the section between Pierce and Eisenhower. There was one large group we had to get around since they were moving slower than we like to travel, but other than that it was all good. The trail was a little beat up with soft snow that needed some snowshoe traffic. I put mine on at the start, but Jillian just wore microspikes as she usually can float on just about any snow. The "summit cone" of Eisenhower was quite icy and there were a few spots were Jillian needed some help, but we moved carefully and it was not much of a issue.

Last few steps to Ike

Mt. Eisenhower summit

Mt. Pierce & Mt. Jackson in the distance

 The hike down from Eisenhower was quick. We passed the large group of people we had seen earlier and chatted the whole way down the line. Again, we made short work of the trail to Mt. Pierce.

Mt. Pierce summit

We barely stopped on Pierce just long enough to snap a summit photo of Jillian. A kind lady offered to take a photo of us both, but we declined just to keep going. Our minds were all ready on the trail ahead wondering if it would be broken out or if we had a lot more work to do. The trail from Pierce to Mizpha Hut was more of the same hard pack snow that had some sliding potential for Jillian. I left my snowshoes on, my Flex Alp snowshoes are so comfortable that once they go on they tend to stay there. It also works well so I can erase the track from Jillian sliding and try to prevent the luge track effect some trails have.

Sliding, a kid at her best

Jumping off the rock wall

Once we got beyond the hut everything was looking good, but I knew the test would be once we got to the junction with the Mizpha Cut-Off. We covered the 200 feet and rounded the corner and found unbroken trail awaiting for us.

 

Knowing that the next 1.7 miles would be hard, we put our heads down and started the work. I explained to Jillian that sometimes we have to break out trail and this is the way to say thanks to all the people who have broken out trails that we have used. About half way between Pierce and Jackson we ran into a group of four coming right at us and there was celebration among all as we realized that our time trail breaking was over. And with a more consolidated trail, Jillian and I were able to move much more quickly again.

One of the clearings along Webster Cliff Trail

Mt. Jackson looking closer

Mt. Jackson Summit

After a few photos on Mt. Jackson we headed down. The trip was quick and uneventful as we quickly made our way to Rt 302, and after a short road walk we were back to the car. The hike was really good. Jillian was strong all day and in the end it was a seven and a half hour day. Already looking forward to next weekend.

19 down 29 to go