Late in the Day: Mt.Eisenhower and Edmands Path

The Presidential Range is climbed by thousands of people everyday, and it's no wonder why the range is so popular, as there's nothing like it. I've hiked throughout the Presidential Range many times over the years, and all of our excursions to the region have been full day experiences, usually hikes totaling ten miles or over. This isn't always the case, take for example Edmands Path and Mt.Eisenhower, a shorter and well built path that offers many beautiful views along it's journey.

Looking toward Mt.Washington from Mt.Eisenhower.

We started very late, the time when everyone was arriving back to the bottom. This wasn't bad planning, we simply wanted to do a hike later in the day. Edmands Path was well built, as it started flat and easily crossed three brooks, the last one having no bridge, but also being pretty easy to cross.

A bridge crossing.

The trail stayed flat shortly after, but soon began the climb. The path constantly went up the easiest route, never getting too steep. Eventually the trail wound around the side of the mountain, passing a waterfall which offered a beautiful view over to the Deception Range.

Edmands Path

The upper reaches of the path.

The path went up only to flatten out again, where there were remnants of snow. Through the trees could be seen Mt.Washington and Mt.Franklin. Eventually it opened up, where we were hit with an amazing view of Mt.Franklin. We could see the rest of the trail climbing the dome of Mt.Eisenhower, and with it getting late, we quickly finished the ascent.

Worst Weather in America

Looking up Edmands Path.

The view from the col.

The trail passed by Red Pond, then continued the climb up the rest of the mountain. We were the only people on the entire mountain, and the winds were howling, meaning the only noise we heard were the winds whipping through the trees. The summit was empty, aside from the iconic cairn atop the mountain.

Red Pond

Looking toward Mt.Franklin.

View from the trail.

The summit cairn.

From the top of the mountain can be seen almost every mountain in the Whites, including Burke Mountain and East Mountain in Vermont. Mt.Chocorua can be seen prominently to the south along with Kearsarge North and Mt.Carrigain to the southwest. Mt.Eisenhower towers over many of the surrounding Whites, making it appear you're on top the world, despite the fact Mt.Washington is right beside you.

The Northern Presidentials from the summit of Mt.Eisenhower.

The view toward the Deception Range. The Pliny-Pilot Range is in the far back.

Mt.Carrigain is in the center, with Crawford Notch to the right.

Looking toward the Bonds and the Twins, with Mt.Lafayette and Lincoln visible above.

The sun was getting low, and it was time to begin our descent. During our climb down, with it being even later, the sun created beautiful shadows along the mountainsides, and lit up every mountain on the horizon. We eventually found our way to the col, then entered the treeline.

The view down the trail.

Looking into the col.

Back to Edmands Path.

We made it back to the flat portion of the trail before the sun fully set, and at that point, it was beautiful. Orange light was coming through the trees, and the distant horizon was of the same color. Even after the sun went down, the moon was able to light our way back down.

On the trail during sunset.

Passing through the trees.

A beautiful forest.

Hikes like this may be inconvenient when it comes to time, but the views are like no other time of day. Sunrise and sunset can be quite beautiful, but to me, the best time of day to hike is the small mirror of time right before the sunset. Not only do you get down at a better time, but you also get the same shadows and soft light as you do from sunset.

Climbing Iron Mountain

Sitting west of Jackson, New Hampshire lays Iron Mountain, a peak defined by it's steep southern cliffs and abandoned fire tower. While the cliffs are quite beautiful, there are many ruins that sit in despair along the slopes of the mountain. The scenic cliffs and fields along the trail are certainly the main highlight of the hike.

The Presidential Range from the trailhead.

We started the hike with cloudy skies, which means we missed out on the first couple of viewing areas, including the large meadow at the trailhead. The trail enters the forest and is very muddy, only to get very eroded, and then very slippery. It's safe to say that the trail could use some maintenance.

The eroded trail leading to the summit.

The trail found it's way to the summit after a steep, eroded climb. There are no views to be had from here, but there are ruins of the old fire tower. From here, we continued over the summit and down the south side, where the trail became rougher and rougher, and still very slippery. It went up and down several times, until it eventually lead to the junction.

The ruins of the fire tower.

A very warn trail sign.

At the junction, we went right, which quickly brought us to the southern cliffs, which offer amazing views over the surrounding peaks. From here can be seen Kearsarge North, North Moat Mountain, Mt.Stanton, Mt.Pickering, Attitash Mountain, Bear Mountain, Mt.Chocorua, Mt.Passaconaway, Mt.Nancy, and Mt.Carrigain.

Looking west from Iron Mountain.

Looking off from a ledge. The ski slopes of Attitash are visible.

From left to right includes the Moats, Little and Big Attitash Mountain, and Mt.Chocorua in the distance.

Mt.Carrigain is seen towering above the landscape. Mt.Parker is seen in the front.

Kearsarge North from the ledges.

While the ledges are beautiful, they are not the only attraction on the mountain. Later at the junction, we went left, where the trail took a steep descent down to the now abandoned iron mines. All that can be found there now is a flooded quarry and a dank tunnel leading into the mountain, which is impossible to enter unless you don't mind getting your feet wet.

Looking into the quarry.

An unofficial trail sign.

The overgrown tunnel.

Inside the old mine.

We took the trail back up to the summit, where we were awarded with a minor view of Mt.Washington. We had missed out on many views on the way up, as during our descent, we went to a nearby ledge which also offered a great view of the Presidential Range.

The view from the ledge.

At the trailhead, the skies cleared up, and from the meadow, we got an amazing view of the Presidential Range, with great views toward Mt.Eisenhower, Mt.Monroe, Mt.Washington and Mt.Madison. There were even views toward the Wildcats and Carters.

Mt.Monroe,Mt.Washington, and Mt.Madison from the meadows.

Through the trees.

Mt.Washington and the Wildcat-Carter Range.

What a house!

Iron Mountain is a rugged climb, there's no doubt about it, but it's well worth the climb. The views are unique, and the mountain has been developed so many times that you'll always be finding new ruins, whether it's from the mine, the fire tower, or even the now abandoned ski area. There's a lot to do here, and you can only discover it yourself if you get on the trail.

Brunswick Springs: A World of Mystery

There are few places on our planet that can be seen as otherworldly, but of course, there are some. People that believe in such things think that places like this can only be found in far off lands, or under the ocean, or deep underground. Nobody would suspect a place like this could be found right here in New England, more specifically, the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. This world of mystery is known as Brunswick Springs.

Brunswick Springs

Brunswick Springs is truly a spot of mystery and death, an eerie location that is severely haunted, and is teeming with legends and curses. Located on Silver Lake, along the Connecticut River, there are many ruins that can be found throughout the dense forest. Upon your first visit, one may wonder why all of these ruins are here? Let's just say, it's a long story...

The legends of the springs began well before any settlers knew of the place. It is said that the Native Americans, mostly Abenaki, used the location for years as sacred lands. The namesake of the location is six different springs that flow from the forest directly into the Connecticut River, and it is said that these springs have magical healing powers. Each spring is composed of a different chemical, such as Arsenic, Iron, Calcium, Magnesium, Bromide, and Sulfur.

An old postcard which labeled the then developed springs.

Supposedly, the Native Americans knew the perfect combinations of these six chemicals, and they were successful in curing some horrible wounds, even ones that were life threatening. The first reported use of the springs was in 1748, when the Native Americans brought an injured British soldier to the waters after his arm needed amputation. It is said that they were able to bring back feeling to the man's arm, and he could use the appendage once again.

Later, after the French and Indian War, the same soldier came back to bottle and sell the magical waters. The Abenaki were not happy with his attempt to profit off of the great spirit. The area underwent many disputes between the Abenaki and greedy businessman wanting to profit from the springs, eventually leading to the death of two Native Americans. The mother of one of the dead, a local sorceress, was grief-stricken, and set the now famous curse over the lands: "Any use of the waters of the great spirit for profit will never prosper."

People began to flock to the springs from far off places, all in the hopes of curing their injuries or diseases. In 1860, Charles Bailey built the first hotel on the site, known as the Brunswick Springs House. Mysteriously, the building burnt down in 1894. Later, D.C. Rowell, a dentist, built the Pine Crest Lodge atop the banks of the Connecticut River. But again, it didn't succeed, as it collapsed into the Connecticut River.

John Hutchins, a rich man from North Strafford, decided he wasn't rich enough, and figured he could use the springs as a sight for a grand resort. His first hotel burned down in 1929, immediately before it's grand opening. He had a hotel built in 1930 with the help of Mr.Savage, and just before it was set to open, on May 15th, the hotel burned down. Hutchins was determined to build a grand resort, and had another one built and complete the next year. With 100 rooms, the hotel was better than all of it's predecessors. No matter how impressive of a hotel he built, it wasn't saved from the curse, and his third hotel burnt down with no discernible cause.

The Brunswick Springs Hotel, 1931

The land was eventually given back to the Abenaki, but that doesn't mean the curse is gone. Silver Lake is said to be bottomless, and it has been the sight of many mysterious deaths in recent years. From many people hanging themselves along the coast of the pond, to a women driving her car into the water, and even a baby being found strangled by the shore, it's clear that these lands are still cursed.

For further reading on the history of the springs, I would recommend ObscureVermont. Upon our visit, there was certainly an eerie feeling lingering over the place. Throughout the forest can be found many ruins from the five former hotels. The ruins include old foundations, rusted metal, and many staircases leading to nothing...

One of the many staircases leading to nothing.

On the landing.

Looking down toward the springs.

From the shores of Silver Lake.

It may be cursed, but Silver Lake is quite beautiful. Even though it's less than a mile from the road, the forest is quiet. Much like East Mountain, the silence is deafening. Beside the shores of the lake, we found a Sweat Lodge, otherwise known as a Native American sauna. While many people have corrupted the land over the years, the Abenaki still see the lands as sacred, and if you happen to see other people there, please be respectful.

The Sweat Lodge

Silver Lake

One of the foundations in the forest.

Down the embankment can be found a long, treacherous staircase, which leads to the now crumbling springs. One of the hotels built a deck above the springs, which apparently separated the six chemicals. The waters flow right from the ground, with no obvious source. Over the years, the Iron and Calcium pipes have broken, but they still flow. Be warned, because the area is surrounded by a strong stench of sulfur.

The namesake of the area, Brunswick Springs.

The springs flowing down the banks.

The Connecticut River.

The springs flow directly into the Connecticut River. The ground around the springs is tinted orange, likely due to the chemicals, and strands of calcium can be found throughout the water. In the trees can be found many offerings and pleads for healing. These waters are clearly still used for healing, and according to the notes, many people still make long treks to the land in the hopes of better lives or healed families.

Some of the offerings above the springs.

Atop one of the banks can be had a great view of the Connecticut River and some peaks, such as Hutchins Mountain and Savage Mountain. Those names sound familiar, don't they? This area is very eroded, likely being the sight of the former resort that collapsed into the river. It makes you wonder if the whole area will eventually meet the same fate.

The view over the river. Savage Mountain can be seen to the far left.

Looking down the banks. Mt.Hutchins can be seen in the far distance.

The path through the dense forest.

While the area may seem lame or boring to the average person, it's rich with history and legends. If you believe in ghosts, this is the area for you. There is a haunting aura that hovers over the place, one that may draw you in, or scare you away, that's for you to find out. If one does make the bold decision to visit, please, over everything else, be respectful to those who still wander there, and those who have passed on...

This is the fourth entry in a series of blogs:

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