Join us for Mt. Eisenhower for Flags of the 48 to remember 9/11. We will be carrying an American flag and placing at the summit of Mt. Eisenhower from 12:00pm to 2:00pm. If we are lucky
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Trailhead Parking: From I-93 in NH, take exit 35 to Rt. 3 North to Twin Mountain. After about 10 miles [traffic light], turn right onto Rt. 302. Travel about 8 miles, then turn left onto Mt. Clinton Road. The entrance to Mt. Clinton Road is just below the AMC Highland Center, across Rt. 302. [If you reach or go past the AMC Highland Center on your right, turn around.] The Edmands Path trailhead and parking lot will be on your right, about 2.3 miles from Rt. 302.
Lodging Option: Mike and Jon were nice enough to offer their home for the weekend. There are 8 bunks available with linen for both Friday and Saturday night at their house in Waterville Valley for $20 each night. There are also tent platforms available. You can use the kitchen facilities and store beverages/food in the fridge. Contact Mark and I to RSVP. SPACE IS LIMITED TO EIGHT GUYS.
Trip Report/Photos
Below is a link to a short video of us raising the US flag on the summit.
Six of us carpooled about an hour and met up with two others in our group at the trail head. The drive was quite foggy, especially on the Franconia Notch Parkway. We even saw a Black Bear on the edge of the road! After gearing up and greeting each other we set off on the hike about a half hour late, but with plenty of time to make it to the summit by noon.
As we hiked the clouds remained thick and a foggy haze was frequently seen looking up the trail. The humidity must have been near 100%. The rocks were perspiring so much in a few places that water beaded up and dribbled off the sides. Winds were gusty in the lower elevations rattling tree branches above. We all took our time with many short breaks to keep together as a group and we shared carrying the flag pole along the way. The trail was a moderate climb at first and it steadily increased in pitch all the way to the summit.
We arrived at the summit just before noon and the winds were STRONG! We estimated about a 40-50mph gale with a few gusts near 60mph. The temperature was in the low 50s. With some effort the flag was mounted on the pole and it was successfully raised using a very large cairn as an anchor.
We huddled from the wind on the leeward side of the cairn for a lunch break. The wind was noisy from it whistling over the ground, our jackets flapping violently, and the flag flying above. Many other hikers came through and spent short spans of time nearby. Some came to visit the flag and others were unaware of this annual event.
A half hour after raising the flag the pole broke and we were not able to remount it to fly. We decided to pack everything up and take refuge in a calm area just below the summit cone. We all felt very satisfied that we were able to keep the flag on display for at least 30 minutes of the two hour period in the strong winds.
After a much more pleasant break just below the summit we began our decent. The clouds lifted enough in the valleys to give views of the Cog rail station and lower mountain slopes. The summits of Mount Franklin and Mount Monroe even became visible for a short minute. The humidity lifted a little, but the wind in the trees stayed strong. Heavy rains started once we returned to our cars and on our return drive.
After the hike seven of us had a casual social in Canton while having pizza and light conversation.
WB
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