Elevation: 2,421 ft (overall) 2,628 ft (total)
Time: (With an 8 yr old setting the pace) 0:31 (Gibbs Falls) 3:16 (Mizpah Hut) 4:17 (Summit) 6:12 (Gibbs Falls) 7:11 (Total)
Trails: Crawford Connector, Crawford Path, Mizpah Cutoff, Webster Cliff Trail, Crawford Path, Crawford Connector
My oldest daughter wanted to get in at least one 4000 footer hike this summer before school starts back up again, so we decided to hit Mt. Pierce for that hike. It is just her 2nd 4K and she is still only 8, so I wanted something that wouldn't be too much for her. And given the good weather forecast, the views from Mt. Pierce wouldn't dissapoint either. This hike also had the added benefit of being to go past the Mizpah Hut as well. Last year when we hiked Webster and Jackson we didn't have time to get to the hut as well before it got too dark for the hike back down.
On the way up the Crawford Path we stopped at Gibbs Falls so my daughter could check them out now in case she was too tired on the way back down. We met a nice pair of hikers there that my daughter conned into, I mean convinced, to hike with us for a while. My daughter enjoyed having someone new to talk to for a while. Eventually though we let them get on their way because they didn't need to take as many breaks. We ended up running into them again at the hut which made my daughter very happy.
Gibbs Falls on the way up
Coming up the Crawford Path
Continuing further up, we took a nice break at the junction with the Mizpah Cutoff. After a nice rest and snack, we went right and headed for the hut. Liliana was very excited to see it in person and get to go inside and check it out. She was impressed with how big it was and many people could sleep there. As I knew she would, she now really wants to spend the night at one of the huts. We spent probably 45 minutes at the hut checking it out, checking out the tent site, and eating some fresh muffins.
Mizpah Hut
After leaving the hut the trail gets steep in a few places. There is a ladder and some boards to level out some slanted sections of trail, but also a few short steep and sometimes rocky sections. My daughter had fun scrambling up these and even wanted to pose for some pictures while doing so. After the climbs though, the trail gets pretty gentle and you start to get some views ahead and behind you.
Climbing a ladder
A small view before the summit
At the summit we took enough of a break to grab some pictures and so my daughter could check it out. But soon after that we headed a few hundred feet further down the trail to where the real views are as the trees open right up. We spent a bunch of time here resting, having something to eat, relaxing, and just taking in the views.
Liliana and Miles at the summit
View from Mt. Pierce
View up to Monroe and Washington
View to the west
For the hike back down we followed the Crawford Path most of the way. Stopping at Gibbs Falls so we could get a closer look and get right next to the falls. Then we took the Crawford Connector back to the parking lot where we promptly took off our hiking boots and put on some dry clothes before drinking some nice ice water I had stashed in the truck. All in all the hike went very well and my daughter did even better than on her last 4K. I think she is ready for another good hike and we will have to start planning that soon.
Coming back down
Back to Gibbs Falls again
Google Earth representation of the hike
For all the pictures from the hike, just go to my gallery on SmugMug
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