Pierce and Eisenhower 4-26-08

[chomp]

Camped out with Carmel and UFC on the Kanc on Friday. Carm and UFC were set on heading into Tucks to watch the festivities, but being that I was just there I decided to head up to Crawford Notch for an "easy" hike above treeline. As usual this time of year, the hiking was anything but easy.

Conditions varied from bare ground to over 6 feet of snow. Walking on the narrow packed path proved mostly stable, but stepping off meant almost certainly punching through. I left quite a few Snow Aerators*, as did everyone else I saw on the trail that day.

*(In the interest of political correctness, I will no longer use the term "posthole", as it has come to have very negative connotation. Hopefully, the more positive term of Snow Aerator will lead to a more positive view.)

Above treeline, it was mostly bare ground with some pockets of deep snow whenever the trail would dip into the trees. The going was slow, but it was a fantastic day, if a little bit windy.

On the way back down, just off the summit of Pierce, I saw another sign of spring... the Gray Jays were out and in top begging shape already. Impressive. Ok - enough talk; onto the photos:

http://public.fotki.com/chompat99/hiking-crawford-path-08/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7KeBtun5LA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T6Q7ndXpT-4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CsyWYNQVQmE

 

[Tom Rankin]

On the way back down, just off the summit of Pierce, I saw another sign of spring... the Gray Jays were out and in top begging shape already.

Do Gray Jays leave? I saw them on Jackson on 12/15/7 with a good amount of snow already in place.

 

[Kevin Rooney]

Do Gray Jays leave? I saw them on Jackson on 12/15/7 with a good amount of snow already in place.

I don't think so - have seen them year-round in the half-dozen or so places they're most common in the Whites. Actually have been more likely to see them in winter on places like Tom and Field.

 

[bikehikeskifish]

Do Gray Jays leave? I saw them on Jackson on 12/15/7 with a good amount of snow already in place.

I fed some on Tom on on January 19th. I don't think they ever leave.

Tim

 

[chomp]

Huh - I never considered that they lived in the mountains year-round, but if you believe Wikipedia, this is common for their species:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Jay

 

[bubba]

I left quite a few Snow Aerators*, as did everyone else I saw on the trail that day.

Good work. Somebody has to do it...

 

[forestgnome]

Gray Jays definately stay in the WMNF all winter. They are always welcome life during that too-long season, when wildlife experiences are scarce. Mt Pierce and Mt. Jackson are excellent places to see them, as well as across the top of the notch on Mt. Tom.


These jays were on Mt. Jackson in February and January.

Thanks for the TR

happy trails

 

[jjo]

Great pics and movies of the birds. Thanks...

 

[hikerfast]

nice report. this time of year is always a trip

 

[Paradox]

*(In the interest of political correctness, I will no longer use the term "posthole", as it has come to have very negative connotation. Hopefully, the more positive term of Snow Aerator will lead to a more positive view.)

I am so glad you brought this up. Now I may have to use some high velocity lead to create some "Chest Aerators" in your thorax. I can can assure you that your circulatory system will thank me a thousand fold for the additional oxygen supply. You should be completely confident that this can only help you in any future hiking you do. As you work for a prosecutors office, I am sure you and your coworkers will hire me to write briefs for you in the future

Nice report and pics!