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The rounded dome midway in the Southern Presidentials was called Mount Pleasant for a century and a half until it was renamed after the death of the former president. Unlike its neighbor which is still often called Mount Clinton nearly a century after the NH legislature renamed it to Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower's name change has been generally accepted. Perhaps this is because the summit cone greatly resembles the bald head of the oft-photographed military leader.
The Mount Eisenhower Loop is a short trail that loops over the summit of Mount Eisenhower, and is steeper and rougher than the Crawford Path which goes around. Most of the trail is above treeline with good views, but also no shelter from high winds or lightning so it should be avoided in stormy weather.
Distance: From Crawford Path SW of summit to Crawford Path NE of summit, about .8 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 400 feet northbound, about 350 feet southbound
Maps:
USGS Stairs Mtn
AMC Presidential Range
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map G-8
DeLorme NHA&G 44-B/C5 - Chandlers Purchase/Sargents Purchase
The trail is located NE of US Route 302 at Crawford Notch, between Twin Mountain and Conway
South End: Crawford Path about 4.3 miles from trailhead, elevation about 4420 feet
North End: Crawford Path about 4.9 miles from trailhead, elevation about 4450 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: Appalachian Mountain Club
Special regulations: No camping above treeline if there is less than 2 feet of snow
From the SW junction with the Crawford Path, the Mount Eisenhower Loop passes through a short area of scrub to the base of a cliff, then climbs steeply around to the L. After a switchback L and a switchback R, the trail climbs more gently to the rounded summit of Mount Eisenhower at .4 miles. What was once one of the largest cairns in the White Mountains has been mostly removed to build rock walls along the trail. Almost the entire length of the cog railway is visible from near here.
The trail now descends moderately to a viewpoint over a boggy area known as Red Pond, then more steeply to a minor col. The trail ascends the side of a minor knoll to the junction with the Edmands Path at .7 miles, then continues around the knoll to the NE junction with the relocated Crawford Path at .8 miles.
Extensive snow drifting E of Mount Eisenhower may make it may be easier to go over the summit than fight the drifts on the Crawford Path
Map Notes: New NE junction with Crawford Path not shown on USGS map
Summit of Mount Eisenhower [2/04]
View over "Red Pond" [4/04]
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