Mount Crawford 10-21-06
Trip to Mount Crawford 3119’
5 miles 2110’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
Friday night there was a wicked storm. In Kingston we were lashed with rains driven by 40 and 50 mph gusts. In Crawford Notch the rain was snow and ice above 1000 feet. We had arrived expecting to maybe have snow above 3000 feet, and were pleasantly surprised to quickly rise from the valley floor into woods covered in fresh white lace. As we rose through the forest the dry trail soon gave way to icy ledges. Crampons would not have done as the ice was really not thick enough for them. We need yak - traks or some similar sort of traction for these situations. Without them we were barely able to struggle over the ledges.
Our original goal had been to by - pass Mount Crawford, stopping at Mount Resolution on our way to Stairs Mountain, then stopping at Crawford on the way back. As we continued on the Davis Path past the spur trail for Mount Crawford it soon became apparent that it was not going to be an easy trip. The trail was flooded from what must have fallen as rain before turning over to snow, and the snow and ice was beginning to melt as the day was warming. There were several trees down across the trail along the way though there were volunteers out there removing them. Beyond Crawford on what is known as Crawford Dome we could catch a glimpse of Stairs Mountain, its 3463’ summit reaching into the low overcast sky.
As we drove north this morning, our stop at Chocorua Lake showed clouds brushing the 4000 foot summits of Mount Whiteface and Mount Passaconaway, although Chocorua had its head out in the sun. In Crawford Notch the sun only made a couple of very brief appearances and the skies closed in over us with Crawford’s 3119 foot summit cloud free as nearby Resolution at 3415 feet, was feeling their icy caress. The wind was still blowing pretty hard and at this point we decided to turn around and head back to Crawford.
The first part of the spur trail crosses ledge but by this time the ice was disappearing, as much by evaporating in the wind as by melting in the sun. The climb over this was easier than we had expected and we soon found ourselves on the summit. Although the overcast hid everything above 3400 feet there were still excellent views in most directions. All the trees and vegetation surrounding us were covered in frost or fine snow bringing added beauty to the scene. After picking out all the summits I could name we descended again and enjoyed the hike back out through the winter beauty, crossing ledges where there were views then dropping back into the trees where the snow covered branches made intricate designs to study as we made our way back down to where it was still autumn.
Back at the car we decided to drive the rest of the way up through the notch, turning around at the Crawford Station where we met the Conway Scenic Railroad train as it was leaving the station on its return trip through the notch. I was able to get a couple of shots as it chugged past Mount Willard. There was snow on the ground west of the gateway to the notch. Although we didn’t reach our original goal, this was still a good trip.
Read More5 miles 2110’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
Friday night there was a wicked storm. In Kingston we were lashed with rains driven by 40 and 50 mph gusts. In Crawford Notch the rain was snow and ice above 1000 feet. We had arrived expecting to maybe have snow above 3000 feet, and were pleasantly surprised to quickly rise from the valley floor into woods covered in fresh white lace. As we rose through the forest the dry trail soon gave way to icy ledges. Crampons would not have done as the ice was really not thick enough for them. We need yak - traks or some similar sort of traction for these situations. Without them we were barely able to struggle over the ledges.
Our original goal had been to by - pass Mount Crawford, stopping at Mount Resolution on our way to Stairs Mountain, then stopping at Crawford on the way back. As we continued on the Davis Path past the spur trail for Mount Crawford it soon became apparent that it was not going to be an easy trip. The trail was flooded from what must have fallen as rain before turning over to snow, and the snow and ice was beginning to melt as the day was warming. There were several trees down across the trail along the way though there were volunteers out there removing them. Beyond Crawford on what is known as Crawford Dome we could catch a glimpse of Stairs Mountain, its 3463’ summit reaching into the low overcast sky.
As we drove north this morning, our stop at Chocorua Lake showed clouds brushing the 4000 foot summits of Mount Whiteface and Mount Passaconaway, although Chocorua had its head out in the sun. In Crawford Notch the sun only made a couple of very brief appearances and the skies closed in over us with Crawford’s 3119 foot summit cloud free as nearby Resolution at 3415 feet, was feeling their icy caress. The wind was still blowing pretty hard and at this point we decided to turn around and head back to Crawford.
The first part of the spur trail crosses ledge but by this time the ice was disappearing, as much by evaporating in the wind as by melting in the sun. The climb over this was easier than we had expected and we soon found ourselves on the summit. Although the overcast hid everything above 3400 feet there were still excellent views in most directions. All the trees and vegetation surrounding us were covered in frost or fine snow bringing added beauty to the scene. After picking out all the summits I could name we descended again and enjoyed the hike back out through the winter beauty, crossing ledges where there were views then dropping back into the trees where the snow covered branches made intricate designs to study as we made our way back down to where it was still autumn.
Back at the car we decided to drive the rest of the way up through the notch, turning around at the Crawford Station where we met the Conway Scenic Railroad train as it was leaving the station on its return trip through the notch. I was able to get a couple of shots as it chugged past Mount Willard. There was snow on the ground west of the gateway to the notch. Although we didn’t reach our original goal, this was still a good trip.
Emma keeps it moving.
