It was still dark as I drove north through the dense valley fog, confident I would encounter a brilliant sunny day once I turned east and climbed away from the Connecticut River Valley. My destination was Mount Crawford, a popular peak in the heart of the White Mountains. At 3,128′ it is not one of the 48 ‘high peaks’, the four-thousand-footers that inspire so many people to “bag them all” and earn the AMC’s Four-Thousand-Footer patch. (And for some, like me, to do them all more than once; I finished my second round in August.) But, frankly, Mount Crawford is far better than many of its higher cousins: it has a splendid view – earning it a spot on the list of 52 with a view. Today, in full fall foliage, the view was absolutely stupendous. Read on!
along the Davis Path to Mount Crawford.
It is early October, and the forests of northern New Hampshire are reaching peak color; given today’s forecast, I was especially eager to get up into the middle of the White Mountains. The four-hour round-trip drive along winding roads, through forests and along the fenced edges of farmland, would make the trip worthwhile all on its own; the opportunity to stand on an open summit, surrounded by the biggest peaks, even better.
I hit the trail a little after 8am and ground my way up the steep, rocky trail, and was soon scrambling over open rocky ledges and expansive granite slabs, the views behind me growing ever grander. I reached the summit in just over an hour, and was immediately surrounded by some of the most spectacular fall scenery I’ve had the pleasure to experience. This summit allows broad views north into Crawford Notch, along the spine of the southern Presidential Range, with a clear view of Mount Washington; to the east, the eponymous shape of Stairs Mountain; to the northwest, the Pemigewasset Wilderness; to the west, the massive pyramid of Mount Carrigain (on which I stood less than two months ago); to the southeast, the rolling hills of Maine; to the southwest, the Tripyramids alongside the Kancamagus pass.
All the lower slopes were painted in yellows, oranges, and reds, blending into the evergreen forests of fir, hemlock, and spruce leading up to the alpine zone above. Rocky outcrops popped out here and there. The glacial cirques of the east side of the Presidential Range were evident; in short, Crawford offers a kaleidoscopic view! I recorded a video panorama looking east; see also a narrated version of the same scene, and a narrated video of a panorama to the west.
Check out the gallery! I could not resist sharing many photographs. I have many more photos from viewpoints along the drive home, but those will come another day. All photos taken on iPhone 14 Pro in RAW Max mode.
My other reason for getting out today was to join Peak Bag, an effort organized by a group of Dartmouth ’88 rowers to honor the memory of their teammate Omondi Obura ’88, who died by suicide in 1989. Students, alumni, and others take part around the world; last year’s event attracted 273 “peak baggers” in 13 countries.
Hike stats:
Distance: 4.53 miles (7.3km)
Elevation gain: 2,168′ (661m)
Time: 2:45 (1:11 to climb, 0:49 on top, 0:45 to descend)
David Kotz 