Crawford, Stairs, Resolution Mtns. Hike

It was a sunny day with temperatures near 80. It was a good day to hike up these three peaks.

Arriving at an almost empty Davis Path parking lot, we set foot up the trail. The Davis Path initially follows a dirt road that residents park along as they don't have a vehicular bridge to their homes on the other side of the Saco River. They walk on foot across the Bemis Bridge, which the Davis Path shares. The river was flowing. After passing the homes we crossed a stream on a log bridge and then the climbing began.

While the flats provide a nice warm up, the trail steepens up suddenly but never steeply and continues at a relentless pace until reaching the ledgy areas below Mt. Crawford spur path. It truly is like a 4,000 footer climb, you start at 1000 feet and climb to near 3,000 feet in 2.2 miles, with the rest of the climb to the summit on the 0.3-mile spur trail. The views from the Mt. Crawford summit ledges were tremendous.

After enjoying the views and a snack for a bit, we headed back to the Davis Path. Carlos went back to his car while the rest of us soldiered on to Stairs Mountain.

Stretches of the Davis Path between Mt. Crawford's spur trail and the Resolution shelter junction [shelter is no longer there] were awesome ~ good footing, neat terrain, and excellent views. Not long after the shelter junction, we were at the Stairs Col junction, and then on our way up the steep ascent to the Stairs Mountain spur path junction.

The views from the top of the Giant Stairs were tremendous. While it doesn't seem like you're on a stairway, the vista looks at points ranging from Cranmore Mountain to the east to the numerous Pemi peaks to the south and west.

Jon and I recalled we spent the night up here last time. It an ideal spot for a vision quest. We were able to fit about three tents up here. Our tent was near the ledges overlook. We spent a beautiful evening watching the sunset and the next morning watching the sunrise!

We took some pictures and had lunch before heading back on the Davis Path hiking highway to the Mount Parker Trail.

We hung a left at the Mount Parker Trail and the first ledge on this trail has wonderful views.

The we went for the Mt. Resolution summit upper ledges. We got off the trail inadvertently and climbed up the actual summit [or very close to it]. We returned back to the trail and took a break around this cube shaped boulder on the upper ledges. The views were well worth it, great lookouts to the North, East and Stairs Mountain.

After that, we u-turned back to the first ledge and returned to the Davis Path.

Overall we saw very few people the entire day. We hiked back to the cars with a peaceful state of mind.

It was a great day out. It's hard to beat sunny skies and temperatures near 80! These 3 peaks are well deserving of their place on the 52-with-a-view list.

Fun, exercise and great views from THREE summits!

At 3,119 ft., Mt. Crawford is not even a four thousand footer, but its location makes it a wonderful vantage point from which to view the White Mountains, if it's a clear day. Mount Crawford has magnificent views of Mount Washington and of the ridges that extend south of it, of Crawford Notch, and of the Pemigewasset Wilderness. The hike to its summit is short, but steep. Many will be satisfied with the trip to Mt. Crawford with 5.0 miles roundtrip and 2100 feet elevation gain. You have the option to turn back at this point on your own. 

We'll continue another 2.5 miles [each way] to the Giant Stairs, with its excellent views to the south. The grade is much easier, with no really steep sections. On the return we'll check out Mount Resolution that has a wide ledge providing a 180-degree panorama with a real wilderness feel.

The round trip to the summit of Mt. Crawford is 5.0 miles with 2,100 feet elevation gain and a book time 3:30. The whole trip is quite longer with 10.8 miles with 3,400 feet elevation gain and a book time of 7 hours. [Please note that we always exceed book time being a group trip.]  

This is a strenuous trip. Even if you are in good shape, expect to be seriously challenged. A vigorous pre-trip aerobic workout program is mandatory. Hiking will be on hilly, rugged terrain with several steep sections.

With high gas prices let's make an effort to coordinate ride-sharing. Please indicate in your RSVP if you'll able to give a ride or if you are looking to get one. Changes or cancellations will be posted by 6:00PM the night before. If any changes are made, you will be notified via email.

After The Hike: Everyone is welcome back at our house in Waterville Valley to socialize around the deck and enjoy a home cooked meal with dessert! It's BYOB and it costs $5 per person.

Lodging Option: Bunk beds are available at my house near Waterville Valley, NH for Friday and Saturday night for $20 per night. Coffee/bagels each morning and linen/blankets/towels are provided. We have limited space in the fridge to store your beverages/food so it's best to bring a small cooler. Space is limited so email me ASAP to reserve a bunk!