Mt. Pierce, N.H., #3 of 48

Mt. Pierce, In Reverse

 Cristy, myself and Scott jr. at the summit, 3hrs 30 min

Summit view of the Crawford path to Mt. Eisenhower.

 Scotty taking in the view

 Interesting layered rock 

 We rested an hour just enjoying the views while watching the Butterflies chase one another. We talked with a hut crew member & saw an AT south bounder pass through.

Labrador Tea (Ledum Groenlandicum), another flowering shrub, is found in bogs and at all elevations including the alpine zone.

 Honey-scented Alpine Bluets (Hedyotis Caerulea) are found in alpine snowbanks and moist areas above treeline. 

 Bog Laurel (Kalmia Polifolia) is found in low-elevation bogs and moist alpine areas. 

Welcome to the Alpine Zone

We stopped for a break and snacked on some trail mix near the Mizpah Cutoff when 3 or 4 of these Gray Jay's (aka 'Camp Robber') showed up with a baby. They were not afraid and were very bold in letting us know what they wanted. Cristy had read in another hikers blog about these birds feeding from their hands! While we tried to feed the Jay's, the Black Flies fed on us............

 Scotty waiting for a Gray Jay to land on his hand

 Gibbs Falls

Mizpah Springs Hut

Hut Crew member heading up the trail with a pack board of supplies. He was nice enough to let us take his picture. We passed another guy and two girls also packing up supplies to Mizpah.

Plaque for The Crawford Path, the oldest maintained trail in America

Cristy at the Crawford Connection, Mt. Clinton Rd parking area.

Trailhead warning sign! 'Many people have died above treeline due to exposure'

Our first Moose sighting! With two point and shoot cameras in the packs, one cell phone off and mine in my pocket, this was the only pic I could grab as it re-entered the woods. Center right, it's there.

Epic summit panorama