Mount Eisenhower

We went hiking in Mount Eisenhower in March. It is still completely covered with snow in March in the White mountains in New Hampshire. 

During COVID-19 outbreak, it is good to go hiking in the snow. People who hike in the snow is limited, so it is easy to be social distancing. 

<Mount Eisenhower Hike>

Type: Out and back 

Distance: 8.7 miles

Elevation change: +/- 3215 feet

We had actuarially hiked up to the top of Mt.Eisenhower. However that time the summit was in the clouds. It was cold, windy, and no view. This time we checked the weather forecast and hiked again on a sunny day. 

At the trailhead I went outside of the car and I was surprised. It was not so cold.  Recent winter hikes I wear Montbell winter pants: birthday gift from Ms.L( thank you!). They are so good and warm, however, I even wondered they might be too warm. On the second thought I decided to wear them because the higher the colder. 

At the parking lot there was a cute black lab dog. The owner was calling her Pollough. She must be young. She was very energetic.
The parking lot was across the highway of the trailhead. Highway was very quiet, because New Hampshire has been under stay home order. After we crossed the road we were putting microspikes on. Then Pollough came to the trailhead! Only Pollough not the owners. The owners seemed to go to the other side of the trail, so they and Pollough didn't need to cross the highway. Naughty Pollough. Then Pollough again crossed the highway back to the parking lot. Dangerous! Lucky her there was few traffic. 

Mt Eisenhower then Mt Washington in the back

Trail

The trail is continuously uphill from the beginning to the end. 3200 feet elevation gain in 4.4 miles. It was a good workout. 

The last 1 mile is above tree line. The view was nice. Over the Eisenhower, there is the highest mountain in the New England, Mount Washington. Mount Washington is pretty covered with snow. In the Presidential range it is still in winter. Surprisingly, the summit was not windy. It was extremely rare in New England!! Usually I can't eat sandwich at the top due to high wind. This time I was able to enjoy sandwich with great view.
Two guys came to the top and the guy was telling to the other guy, "Last time I was here, it was sustained 60 mile per hour wind".
I thought, "Yes that is the standard."

After a nice lunch break, we started descending. On the way Mr.N decided to get water. There was one stream where water was not frozen and flowing. Mr.N was taking out his water bottle and Steripen. Then three people with two dogs came down. The guy told his dog, "You can go in" and the doggy went into the stream where Mr.N was about to get water. I thought, "Uh oh." It was actually funny.
After they left, Mr.N got water from upstream than the place the dog went in.