Trail Report: Seek the Peak Hikes 8.5-10

By Chris Nichols

July 30, 2025 – Summit 8.5 of 17

Sometimes things don’t work out as planned. This morning, I woke up early and headed up to the White Mountains, with a plan to climb Washington for number 9. Last night the forecast was borderline for a solo hiker (in the clouds, wind 20-45 and gusts to 50 mph). I leave the house before it is updated, so I figured I would get an update around Bretton Woods (where there is still some cell service) before committing. The updated forecast was in and out of the clouds, but gusts to 60. Wet rocks and 60 mph gusts didn’t sound like a good idea, so I opted to climb Mount Eisenhower, a nearby 4,000-footer.

I chose Edmand’s Path for the trip and was the first car in the parking lot that morning. The round trip is about 6.6 miles. The last time I was on Eisenhower was in 2014 as part of a hut-to-hut presidential-traverse with an AMC group, so the trail was new to me.

The trail starts out pretty tame but then becomes a very consistent up hill climb of more than 2,700 feet. There’s only one sketchy part where the trail and a waterfall intersect, but it is short and easily managed. I met two hikers on the way up, who reached the summit about a minute before I did. When they headed down, I had the summit to myself for a bit. On the way down I saw about a dozen people taking advantage of a nice day.

From the summit, Washington was mostly in the clear. Round trip was just over 4 hours.

August 12, 2025 – Summit 9 of 17

After almost 2 weeks away from the mountains (and a weeklong sailing adventure), I finally made it back for summit #9. The forecast was good, and I was well rested. Once again, I climbed up the Ammonusuc Ravine Trail (still my favorite).

Today was clear, though still a little hazy from the Canadian wildfires. The trailhead parking lot was pretty full when I arrived a bit after 6:00, but it looked like most had been there overnight. It also looks like the forest service is making some changes as there was a new message board set up right at the trailhead entrance.

As usual, I took a break at the gem pool and then started the climb up to the hut. I passed a couple of people along the way and met a large group of kids heading down when I got close. At the hut, an AMC trip leader was reviewing the days agenda with a good group as they headed south on the presidential traverse. A trip I did back in 2014. They had much better weather than I did.

After refilling my water, I was off to the summit. I reached the summit just as the first Cog train arrived. Just in time to get a summit photo without the wait!

As I was leaving the summit, a gentleman who I had seen down in the trailhead parking lot asked if I was heading for the Jewel trail. I told him I was heading down the Cog path and he asked if he could tag along. I was happy to have the company, along with his dog. It was a nice walk down and at one point someone ran past us heading down (I’m not sure I could run down that trail).

3:15 to the summit and 5:43 round trip covering just over 8 miles.

August 18, 2025 – Summit 10 of 17

The forecast was promising, if not a little chilly, so I set off from my house around 4:00 am to climb Washington for summit number 10. Another trip up the Jewel trail, which is definitely growing on me.

The parking lot was relatively empty when I arrived around 6:30, with base temps in the mid 40’s. It had rained the afternoon before, but the trail was dry. I passed a couple of hikers about 1.5 miles in, who asked if I had seen their friend (I hadn’t, but they didn’t seem concerned). I passed a small group shortly after leaving the Jewel trail for the Gulfside trail.

Once above treeline, I looked down on a few scattered clouds and up at beautiful blue sky! When I crossed the cog tracks a few tenths of a mile below the summit, I heard the first train making its way up the mountain. As those who have followed me on my journey this year, you know I like to beat the train! As such, I turned on a little bit more power and was at the summit sign as the first cog arrived. That’s the best way to avoid the lines for a summit photo. I also set a new personal climbing time of 2:59:04.

The summit was brisk, with 32 mph winds (10-minute gust of 39), a temp of 41.5f, and a 30f windchill. But the visibility was maxed out!

After some photos, a quick visit with the summit staff, and a snack, it was back down the cog path. I had seen someone running down the path my last trip, so I took some tips from that and was able to get down in just over 2 hours, total time (excluding my time on the summit) was 5:01:41.

I can see my goal of 17 in front of me and there should be at least another month or so of reasonably good weather…I think I might make it!