One Day Presidential Range Traverse (North to South)

Date of Hike: 6/28/08

Valley Way: 3.8 miles / Osgood Trail: .8 miles / Gulfside Trail: .3 miles / Mount Adams Loop: 1.0 miles / Gulfside Trail: 1.5 miles / Mount Jefferson Loop: .6 miles / Gulfside Trail: .7 miles / Mount Clay Loop: 1.2 miles / Gulfside Trail: .9 miles / Crawford Path: 1.8 miles / Mount Monroe Loop: .7 miles / Crawford Path: 1.3 miles / Mount Eisenhower Loop: .8 miles / Crawford Path: 1.2 miles / Webster Cliff Trail: 4.0 miles / Webster-Jackson Trail (Including Mount Webster Summit): 2.5 miles

Total Miles: 23ish, elevation gained 10,000ish

Trip Report:

- Solo hike, Started up Valley Way at 4:45am finished down Webster Jackson at 5:45 (13 hours)

- Lots of views until about 9am when clouds rolled in while on Mount Adams summit, no views the rest of the day, visibility around 100 feet

- Weather mid 50's and no wind!

- Went wrong way at Lake of the Clouds because I couldn't see, ended up on Dry River Trail

- Extremely sore for next 2 days!

Looking back at this several years later (April of 2014), this hike still puts a huge smile on my face!  I had no issues with the hike and was physically and emotionally ready for it.  However, I am amazed at how my body has changed over the years when it comes to recovery.  I could barely lift my leg up high enough to get into my tub/shower the day after the hike.  This was my first time on about twenty of the twenty-three miles for this route, since then I have been back over and over again to the point where my feet are used to the knee hammering rocks and I don't get sore anymore.  Every time I'm up there at some point I'm reminded of this hike and how it became the gateway for me to become the hiker I am today. :)

Pictures:

Mount Adams and Mount Washington off in the distance

Madison Springs HutClouds rushing in over Mount Madison

Terrific views from Mount Washington Crawford Path/Eisenhower Loop

Mount Eisenhower (4,780 feet)

Mount Eisenhower from Crawford Path (A.T.)

Mount Eisenhower (AKA Pleasant Dome) is a bald summit with a large cairn on top with magnificent 360 degree views.  The Mount Eisenhower Loop Trail crosses the summit and can be reached via three trail the Edmands Path, Crawford Path, Mount Eisenhower Trail.  the Edmands Path being the easiest and shortest, the Crawford Path a little longer and more exposed, and the longest is the Eisenhower Trail deep in the Dry River Wilderness.  Approaches above treeline on the Crawford Path and Eisenhower Loop trail can be dangerous in bad weather, high wind, and low visibility.

Trails I've Hiked

-Edmands Path / Eisenhower Loop: 3.3 miles, 2,750 feet.  The Edmands Path trailhead is located on the Mount Clinton Road between Route 302 and Base Road.  The trail has easy to moderate grades with ok to rougher footing higher up.  The trail is well protected from the weather until the last section just below the Crawford Path.  The Eisenhower Loop Trail has moderate grades but is exposed to the full force of weather and the wind.

-Crawford Path / Eisenhower Loop: 4.7 miles, 3,100 feet.  The Crawford Path has easy to moderate grades with very good footing until treeline where the trail becomes rockier and exposed to the weather for the the 1.2 miles to the Eisenhower Loop.

-Dry River Trail / Mount Eisenhower Trail / Crawford Path / Eisenhower Loop: 8.5 miles, 3,840 feet.  The Dry River and Mount Eisenhower Trail have easy to moderate grades but have very awful footing and views are limited until the final tenth of a mile to Crawford Path.  The trails can be difficult to follow and are very lightly used.  A perfect hike to escape hikers in the woods for several miles!

Trip Reports:

January 14, 2017: Up Crawford Path, up and down Mount Eisenhower Loop, across Crawford Path and Webster-Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail

November 19th, 2016: Presidentail Range Traverse (north to south)

July 16th, 2016: Up Crawford Path, Mizpah Cutoff, down Mount Clinton Trail, Dry River Cutoff, Mount Eisenhower, and Dry River Trail, up Isolation West Trail, up Davis Path, down Camel, Crawford Path, and Eisenhower Loop Trail

June 18th, 2016:  Presi vs. Great Range one day challenge

June 16th, 2016: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (No Report)

January 24th, 2016: Up and down Crawford Path, Eisenhower Loop Trails

September 26th, 2015: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (Run)

September 5th, 2015: Up Dry River, Mount Clinton, and Webster-Cliff Trail, across Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop, down Mount Eisenhower Trail, out via Dry River Trail

February 27th, 2015: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, up Monroe Loop Trail, up Crawford Path, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Jefferson Loop Trail, across Gulfside and Westside Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop Trail, across Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail, Route 302, Mount Clinton Road, and Base Station Road walks

December 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

November 29th, 2014: Up and down Crawford Path, Eisenhower Loop Trails

October 11th, 2014: Up Dry River Trail, southbound along the Crawford Path, Monroe Loop and Eisenhower Loop Trail, down Webster Cliff and Mount Clinton Trail, out via Dry River Trail

June 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

April 12th, 2014: Up Crawford path, down Cog Tracks

October 12th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

July 21st, 2013: Double Presidential Range Traverse

June 16th, 2013: Jefferson through Webster Loop

March 9th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

December 26th, 2012: Up and down Crawford Path, Mount Eisenhower Trail, Webster-Cliff Trail
May 20th, 2012: Double Presidential Traverse

May 6th, 2012: Jefferson through Jackson Loop

January 22nd, 2012: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine, Monroe Loop, across Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop Trails

June 27th, 2011: Double Presidential Traverse

February 23rd, 2011: Up and down Crawford Path and Mount Eisenhower Loop Trail

November 7th, 2010: Up Edmands Path, across Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail

June 19th, 2010: Presidential Traverse (North to South)

June 13th, 2010: Up Dry River and Mount Eisenhower Trail to Crawford Path, up and down Mount Eisenhower Loop Trail, across Crawford Path, up and down Webster Cliff Trail

April 24th, 2010: Up Crawford Path down Cog Railroad

August 8th, 2009: Presidential Travers (South to North)

June 28th, 2008: Presidential Traverse (North to South)

Mount Jackson (4,052 feet)

Mount Jackson from Crawford Path (A.T.)

Mount Jackson rising high above Crawford Notch is a mostly bare summit affording excellent views of the Dry River Wilderness and the Presidential Range to the north and Willey Range and beyond to the south.  The summit can be reached relatively easy by heading up the Webster-Jackson trail (2.4 miles, 2,150 feet elevation gained) with moderate grades with ok to rough footing.  The trail is in the woods except for the last hundred feet up some steep rock ledges that can be difficult when wet and dangerous when icy.

Trip Reports:

January 14, 2017: Up Crawford Path, up and down Mount Eisenhower Loop, across Crawford Path and Webster-Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail

January 8th, 2017: Up and down Webster-Jackson Trail

October 5th, 2015: Up and down Webster-Jackson Trail

February 27th, 2015: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, up Monroe Loop Trail, up Crawford Path, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Jefferson Loop Trail, across Gulfside and Westside Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop Trail, across Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail, Route 302, Mount Clinton Road, and Base Station Road walks

December 20th, 2014: Road walk on Sawyer River Road, Up and down Signal Ridge Trail

September 26th, 2014: Up and down Webster-Jackson Trai (RUN NH48)

June 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

February 23rd, 2014: Up and down Webster-Jackson Trail

November 29th, 2013: Up Crawford Path, down and up Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail

June 16th, 2012: Jefferson through Webster Loop

March 9th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

September 23rd, 2012: Up and down Webster-Jackson Trail

May 6th, 2012: Jefferson through Jackson Loop

April 6th, 2012: Up and down Webster-Jackson Trail

January 16th, 2012: Up and down Webster-Jackson Trail

February 20th, 2011: Up and down Webster-Jackson Trail

November 7th, 2010: Up Edmands Path, across Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail

June 19th, 2010: Presidential Traverse (North to South)

June 13th, 2010: Up Dry River and Mount Eisenhower Trail to Crawford Path, up and down Mount Eisenhower Loop Trail, across Crawford Path, up and down Webster Cliff Trail

August 8th, 2009: Presidential Travers (South to North)

June 28th, 2008: Presidential Traverse (North to South)

Mount Monroe (5,384 feet)

Mount Monroe from Mount Washington

Mount Monroe is a jagged prehistoric looking summit that rises sharply over the Lakes of the Clouds and it's hut just 1.5 miles south of Mount Washington.  The Ammonoosuc Ravine trail is the fastest way to get to the summit of Mount Monroe but for those hardcore hikers who prefer a long, rough, rugged, and wild hike the Dry River trail provides another route to Mount Monroe.  Views from the Monroe's summit to the north of Lakes of the Clouds, Mount Washington, and it's summit cone are magnificent.  Views to the east of the Camel's Hump, the Boot Spur, Isolation, and the Dry River Wilderness extend forever and are breathtaking. Mount Monroe also has a sub peak called "Little Monroe" which has excellent views as well and on the Mount Monroe Loop between peaks is a Cairn which I call the "Cross Cairn" which is pretty nifty looking!

Trails I've Hiked

-Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail/ Mount Monroe Loop: 3.5 miles, 2,500 feet. The trailhead is on the Base Road off Route 302 in Brenton Woods. The trail takes you to Lakes of the Clouds Hut and is protected from the weather for almost all of the way. The "Ammo" trail follows close by the Ammonoosuc River, you also cross the gem pool, and there is an excellent side path to "The Gorge" which is the bottom of two 600 foot waterfalls. The trail gets extremely steep at 2.1 miles in right after passing the Gem Pool, ascending 1,550 feet in just 1.0 miles! High winds out of the west and north west can be brutal past lakes of the clouds while ascending the rocky Mount Monroe Loop. In the winter the trailhead is closed but Base Road is usually plowed (mostly untreated) to Marsh Field Cog Station.

-Crawford Path/Mount Monroe Loop: 7.0 miles, 3,500 feet. The trailhead for Crawford Path is across the street from the Highland Center at Crawford Notch off Route 302. It is the oldest continuously used trail in the United States and is an extremely popular trail that is well marked and has incredible views. The trail has moderate grades and decent footing the whole way but has knee hammering boulders and rocks above treeline that will give your feet a beating when descending. From the Webster-Cliff Trail Junction to the Gulfside Trail just below the summit of Mount Washington it is part of the Appalachian Trail. The trail passes around the summits of Mount Pierce (.1 miles via Webster Cliff), Eisenhower (.4 miles via Eisenhower Loop), Franklin (.1 miles via a side path), and Monroe (.4 miles via Monroe Loop). From Pierce to Washington the trail is very exposed running above treeline and can be dangerous in low visibility and bad weather which only gets worse as you continue up towards Mount Washington.

Dry River Trail: 9.6 miles, elevation gain of 4,000 feet ending at Lakes of the Clouds Hut. The Dry River Trail has easy to moderate grades with decent footing to the suspension bridge but then becomes a rough and rugged primitive trail that is usually wet and muddy.  The trail always follows close by the Dry River until it finally ascends steeply to the Lakes of the Clouds.  Until reaching treeline the trail has one good view early on but mostly it's in the woods in the middle of nowhere!  Views once above treeline are pretty interesting of the backside of Mount Monroe and the final tenth of a mile toward the hut offers a unique and pretty cool view of the hut.  There is one shelter left along the trail, Dry River Shelter #3, which is located 6.3 miles in from Route 302 and 2.3 miles below Lakes of the Clouds.  The river crossings on the dry river trail can be difficult to dangerous after heavy rain so caution should be used.

Trip Reports:

November 19th, 2016: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

July 12th, 2016: Up Tuckerman Ravine, down Crawford Path, up and down Mount Monroe Loop, up Crawford Path & Camel Trail, across Davis Path, down Boott Spur Link and Tuckerman Ravine Trail

June 18th, 2016: Presidential Range vs. Great Range Traverse Challenge

June 16th, 2016: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (No Report)

September 26th, 2015: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (Run)

February 27th, 2015: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, up Monroe Loop Trail, up Crawford Path, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Jefferson Loop Trail, across Gulfside and Westside Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop Trail, across Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail, Route 302, Mount Clinton Road, and Base Station Road walks

December 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

October 11th, 2014: Up Dry River Trail, southbound along the Crawford Path, Monroe Loop and Eisenhower Loop Trail, down Webster Cliff and Mount Clinton Trail, out via Dry River Trail

June 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

April 12th, 2014: Up Crawford path, down Cog Tracks

March 7th, 2014: Up Ammonoosuc and Crawford Path, across Gulfside, Clay Loop, and Jefferson Loop, down Jewell Trail

October 12th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

October 12th, 2013: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Monroe Loop Trail, Crawford Path, down Gulfside Trail, Jewell Trail, Base Station Road

July 21st, 2013: Double Presidential Range Traverse

June 16th, 2013: Jefferson through Webster Loop

March 9th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

May 20th, 2012: Double Presidential Range Traverse

May 19th, 2012: Madison through Isolation Loop

May 6th, 2012: Jefferson through Jackson Loop

January 22nd, 2012: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine, Monroe Loop, across Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop Trails

September 25th, 2011: Up Jewell Trail, across Gulfside Trail to Sphinx Trail, up and down Sphinx Trail, up Mount Clay Loop and Gulfside Trail to Mount Washington, down Crawford Path, up and down Mount Monroe Loop Trail, down Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

June 27th, 2011: Double Presidential Traverse

Friday April 22nd, 2011: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Monroe Loop Trail, Crawford Path, down Cog Railway

Sunday October 3rd, 2010: Up Tuckerman Ravine, Crawford Path to Mount Monroe, across Camel Trail, down Boot Spur Trail

September 18th, 2010: Up Davis Path, down Dry River Trail

July 31st, 2010: Up Caps Ridge Trail, across The Cornice and Gulfside Trail, trailwork on Sphinx Trail, up Mount Clay Loop and Gulfside Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Monroe Loop Trail, down Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, across the Jewell, Boundary Line Trail, and Jefferson Notch Road back to the Caps Ridge Trailhead

June 19th, 2010: Full Presidential Traverse (North to South)

June 12th, 2010: Up Caps Ridge Trail to Jefferson, Gulfside Trail and Mount Clay Loop to Mount Clay and Washington, Crawford Path and Mount Monroe Loop to Monroe, down Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

April 24th, 2010: Up Crawford Path down Cog Railroad

January 23rd, 2010: Up and Down Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

November 8th, 2009: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail to Monroe Loop Trail, up Crawford Path, down Gulfside Trail to Jewell Trail

September 20th, 2009: Up Huntington Ravine Trail and Nelson Crag Trail, down Crawford Path to Monroe Loop Trail, Across Camel Trail, down The Boot Spur

August 8th, 2009: Presidential Traverse (South to North)

June 28th, 2008: Presidential Traverse (North to South)

Mount Jefferson (5,712 feet)

Mount Jefferson and the "Ridge of the Caps"

Mount Jefferson is the third highest peak in the White Mountains and aside from the Caps Ridge Trail it has the longest and some difficult approaches to reach its summit out of all the summits in the Presidential Range. The rewards for these long hikes are remote trails with excellent views and fun challenging terrain while hiking the Castle trail, the Six Husbands trail, and the Castle Ravine trail. In bad weather all of the trails around Mount Jefferson are awful escape routes so it's best not to venture above treeline to the summit cone when the weather is unpredictable.

Trails I've Hiked

-Castle Trail: 7.5 miles 4,400 feet (via The Link). By traveling along The Link on the way to the Castle trail you'll be hiking though ancient and beautiful forests that pass by many trails along the bottom of King's and the Castle Ravines.  The grades are moderate and the footing is decent up until past the Castle Ravine trail junction when it gets rough as you hike over the exposed roots and mossy covered rocks surrounded by ancient evergreen trees.  The Castle Trail branches off the link at 6.0 miles and within .3 miles attacks the narrow rocky "Castellated Ridge."  From here you are completely exposed to the brutal north/north westerly winds and except for some scrub sections between the castles you will be fully exposed to the weather so use extreme caution when venturing through the Castellated Ridge if the weather is suspect.  There are three "Castles" that the trail climbs up and over, the first one is the most impressive, fun, and steepest.  The views while traversing over the castles are great and the hike is fun and very rewarding!

-Caps Ridge Trail (AKA) "The Ridge of the Caps": 2.5 miles, 2,700 feet.  The Caps Ridge Trail is the quickest way to summit Mount Jefferson and the trailhead can be accessed from the Jefferson Notch Road and is the highest trailhead in the White Mountains.  This trail is extremely fun but also can be extremely dangerous due to the exposed steep ledges that become dangerous when the weather becomes bad.  The trail enters the scrub and above treeline just as it reaches the first "Cap" 1.5 miles in and over the next .5 miles the trail becomes steep and continues through some pretty tricky but fun rock scrambles all the while offering awesome views.

-Six Husbands Trail: 6.9 miles, 4,350 feet (Via Great Gulf Trail) One of the roughest, steepest, wildest, and unnerving trails in all of the White Mountains!  The Six Husbands Trail lies deep within the Great Gulf Wilderness and has unique views into Jefferson Ravine and the eastern side of Mount Adams.  The Trail is best known for it's ladders that are very well placed on the side of vertical rocks which makes it possible to pass.  Past the last ladder is a section of tough rock scrambling under then around an overhanging rock where use of handholds and caution is required.  Soon the trail emerges above treeline and heads up the eastern slope of Jefferson to the Jefferson Loop Trail .1 mile from the summit.  Descending this trail is not recommended and if weather is bad be aware that once above treeline there are no easy escape routes.

Trip Reports:

December 20th, 2016: Up and down Jewell, Gulfside, and Mount Jefferson Loop Trail

November 19th, 2016: Presidential Range traverse (North to South)

August 20th, 2016: Weekend Warrior Loop - Up Great Gulf Trail, across Gulfside Trail, Mount Clay Loop, Mount Jefferson Loop, Lowe's Path, down Airline, up Osgood Trail, down Daniel Webster Scout Trail and Great Gulf Link

August 19th, 2016: Up and down Caps Ridge Trail (No Report)

July 11th, 2016: Up and down Caps Ridge Trail

June 18th, 2016: Presidential Range vs. Great Range Traverse

June 16th, 2016: Presidential Range Traverse (North To South) No Report

January 7th, 2016: Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Star Lake Trail, Lowe's Path, Gulfside Trail, Mount Jefferson Loop, Randolph Path, Amphibrach, The Link, Presi Rail Trail

September 26th, 2015: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (Run)

August 2nd, 2015: Up Pine Link Trail, Howker Ridge Trail, Osgood Trail, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Jefferson Loop, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Clay Loop, up Gulfside Trail, down Crawford Path, Southside, Tuckerman Crossover, Camel Trail, Davis Path, Glen Boulder Trail, Direttissima

July 11th, 2015: Up Caps Ridge Trail, across The Link, up Castle Ravine Trail, across The Cornice, up Castle Trail, down Jefferson Loop, down Gulfside Trail, down and up Sphinx Trail, up Gulfside Trail, across The Cornice, down Caps Ridge Trail

April 13th, 2015: Up and down Jewell, Gulfside, and Jefferson Loop Trail

February 27th, 2015: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, up Monroe Loop Trail, up Crawford Path, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Jefferson Loop Trail, across Gulfside and Westside Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop Trail, across Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail, Route 302, Mount Clinton Road, and Base Station Road walks

December 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

September 8th, 2014: Trail Run - Up and down Caps Ridge Trail (RUN NH48)

August 10th, 2014: Up Caps Ridge Trail, down Jefferson Loop, Gulfside, Sphinx, and Great Gulf Trail, up Wamsutta and Nelson Crage Trail, southbound along the Crawford Path, Monroe and Eisenhower Loop, down Edmands Path, road walk up Mount Clinton and Jefferson Notch Roads

June 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

April 12th, 2014: Up Crawford path, down Cog Tracks

October 12th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

September 7th, 2013: Up and down Caps Ridge Trail

August 10th, 2013: MMD 50K

July 21st, 2013: Double Presidential Range Traverse

July 13th, 2013: Up Huntington, down Great Gulf, up Adams Slide, down Lowe's Path, across Gulfside, up Jefferson Loop, down Gulfside and the Sphinx, out Great Gulf, Madison Gulf, and Old Jackson Road

June 16th, 2013: Jefferson through Webster Loop

March 9th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

October 26th, 2012: Up Caps Ridge Trail, down Castle Trail, across The Link, down Caps Ridge Trail

September 16th, 2012: Up Caps Ridge Trail, down Jefferson Loop Trail, across Gulfside Trail, down Jewell Trail, across Boundary Line Trail, up Jefferson Notch Road

May 20th, 2012: Double Presidential Range Traverse

May 19th, 2012: Madison through Isolation Loop

May 6th, 2012: Jefferson through Jackson Loop

September 10th, 2011: Up Great Gulf and Six Husbands Trail to Jefferson, across Gulfside Trail, up Osgood Trail over summit of Madison and back down and out via Great Gulf Trail

July 30th, 2011: MMD - More and More Difficult: "Pinkham Notch Loop" Dolly Copp Road, Route 16, Up North Branch of Imp Trail, across Carter-Moriah and Wildcat Ridge, down Polecat Ski Trail, up-over-down Lila's Ledge to Old Jackson Road, Up Tuckerman Ravine and Lion Head to Washington, across Clay, Jefferson, Adams, and Madison via Gulfside, Clay Loop, Jefferson Loop, Isreal Ridge/Lowe's Path, and Osgood Trail, down Daniel Webster-Scout Trail, road walk back to Barnes Field

June 27th, 2011: Double Presidential Traverse

February 16th, 2011: Up and down Valley Way, Osgood Trail, Airline, Gulfside Trail, Mount Jefferson Loop Trail

November 13th, 2010: Up Watson Path, across Gulfside Trail, down Castle Trail

September 11th, 2010: "Ridge of the Caps"

July 30th, 2010: Up Ariline, Short Line, King Ravine, and Great Gully to Thunderstorm Junction, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Jefferson Loop, back across Gulfside Trail, Lowe's Path to Adams Summit, down Airline and out Valley Way

June 19th, 2010: Full Presidential Traverse (North to South)

June 12th, 2010: Up Caps Ridge Trail to Jefferson, Gulfside Trail and Mount Clay Loop to Mount Clay and Washington, Crawford Path and Mount Monroe Loop to Monroe, down Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

May 30th, 2010: Up Great Gulf and Six Husbands Trail to Jefferson, across Gulfside Trail to Adams, down Star Lake Trail, Osgood Trail over summit of Madison and back down and out via Great Gulf Trail

March 27th, 2010: Up Valley Way, up and down Madison via Osgood Trail, up and down Adams via Airline & Lowe's Path, across Gulfside Trail, up Jefferson Loop Trail and back

November 7th, 2009: Up Valley Way, across Gulfside Trail, up Jefferson Loop Trail, down Randolph Path

September 19th, 2009: Up Castle Trail, across Gulfside Trail, up Lowe's Path, down Howker Ridge Trail

August 8th, 2009: Presidential Traverse (South to North)

June 28th, 2008: Presidential Traverse (North to South)

Mount Pierce (4,310 feet)

Mount Pierce from Crawford Path (A.T.)

Mount Pierce (AKA Mount Clinton) is the first official summit named after a President in the "Presidential Range" and also lies on the Appalachian Trail.  Views from the summit are great looking north but scrub obstruct most views to the south.  The two trails to the summit are the Webster-Cliff (A.T.) and the Crawford Path (3.1 miles, 2,400 feet).  The Crawford Path has easy grades and good footing, the last section before gaining the ridge and the couple hundred feet on the Webster-Cliff Trail are exposed to the weather but is a great hike for beginners looking for views. Mount Pierce can also be reached from the Webster-Cliff Trail via the Crawford Path, Mizpah Cut-Off to the Mizpah Springs Hut, and heading north on the Webster-Cliff Trail (3.5 miles, 2,450 feet). The trails has easy to moderate grades with ok to rough footing all in the woods.

Trip Reports:

January 14, 2017: Up Crawford Path, up and down Mount Eisenhower Loop, across Crawford Path and Webster-Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail

November 19th, 2016: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

July 16th, 2016: Up Crawford Path and Mizpah Cutoff, down Mount Clinton, Dry River Cutoff, Mount Eisenhower, and Dry River trails, up Isolation Trail West, up Crawford Path, down Camel Trail and Crawford Path, up and down Mount Eisenhower Loop, down Crawford Path

July 9th, 2016: Up and Down Crawford Path

June 18th, 2016: Presidential Range vs. Great Range Traverse Challenge

June 16th, 2016: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (No Report)

January 24th, 2016: Up and down Crawford Path, Eisenhower Loop Trails

September 26th, 2015: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (Run)

September 5th, 2015: Up Dry River, Mount Clinton, and Webster-Cliff Trail, across Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop, down Mount Eisenhower Trail, out via Dry River Trail

July 3rd, 2015: Hut to Hut Traverse Run

February 27th, 2015: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, up Monroe Loop Trail, up Crawford Path, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Jefferson Loop Trail, across Gulfside and Westside Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop Trail, across Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail, Route 302, Mount Clinton Road, and Base Station Road walks

December 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

November 29th, 2014: Up and down Crawford Path, Eisenhower Loop Trails

October 11th, 2014: Up Dry River Trail, southbound along the Crawford Path, Monroe Loop and Eisenhower Loop Trail, down Webster Cliff and Mount Clinton Trail, out via Dry River Trail

July 12th, 2014: A.M.C. White Mountain Hut Traverse

June 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

April 12th, 2014: Up Crawford path, down Cog Tracks

November 29th, 2013: Up Crawford Path, down and up Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail

October 12th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

July 21st, 2013: Double Presidential Range Traverse

June 16th, 2013: Jefferson through Webster Loop

March 9th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

December 26th, 2012: Up and down Crawford Path, Mount Eisenhower Trail, Webster-Cliff Trail

June 16th, 2012: 24 Hour Hut to Hut Traverse

May 20th, 2012: Double Presidential Range Traverse

May 6th, 2012: Jefferson through Jackson Loop

January 22nd, 2012: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine, Monroe Loop, across Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop and Webster Cliff Trails

August 12th & 13th, 2011: 24 Hour Hut to Hut Traverse (Attempt)

June 27th, 2011: Double Presidential Traverse

February 23rd, 2011: Up and down Crawford Path and Mount Eisenhower Loop Trail

November 7th, 2010: Up Edmands Path, across Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail

June 19th, 2010: Presidential Traverse (North to South)

June 13th, 2010: Up Dry River and Mount Eisenhower Trail to Crawford Path, up and down Mount Eisenhower Loop Trail, across Crawford Path, up and down Webster Cliff Trail

April 24th, 2010: Up Crawford Path down Cog Railroad

August 8th, 2009: Presidential Traverse (South to North)

June 28th, 2008: Presidential Traverse (North to South)

Mount Washington (6,288 feet)

Mount Washington from Mount Monroe

Mount Washington is the highest mountain in the northeast at 6,288 feet and until 1996 the highest surface wind ever recorded on earth was on the summit at 231 MPH on April 12, 1934.  The summit commands magnificent 360 degree views on a clear day of over 100 miles of visibility.  There is a 7.6 mile auto road that people can drive up from route 16 or buy a ticket for a trip up the Cog Railway which is the second steepest track railway in the world and the world's first mountain railway.  The cog is located at Marshfield Station at the end of Base Road off Route 302 across from Brenton Woods Ski Area

Mount Washington is known for being one of the few places on earth to have "The Worlds Worst Weather" and although it is just over 6,000 feet it has weather equivalent to that of the harshest on earth.  Extreme changes in weather can occur due to three major storm tracks that converge over the mountain which lead to hurricane force winds (on average over 100 days a year), awful visibility, frigid temperatures, and dangerous conditions leading to over a hundred deaths.

Trails I've Hiked 

-Huntington Ravine Trail: 4.4 miles, elevation gain 4,250 feet (via Tuckerman and Nelso Crag trails). The most difficult regular hiking trail in the White Mountains, the rock scrambles above "The Fan" require proper use of handholds and extreme caution should be used when ascending ledges. Descending this trail is not recommended and venturing above the fan in deteriorating conditions can be disastrous! The Huntington Ravine trail leaves the Tuckerman Ravine trail 1.3 miles in and crosses the Cutler river, Raymond Path, Huntington Ravine fire road a few times until you reach the first-aid cache 1.3 miles in. From here you ascend 1,400 feet in .8 miles through the large boulder field called "The Fan," then through boulders and scrub and finally attack about three or four sections of rock scrambles, the first one being the most difficult. Once above the ravine you connect with the Nelson Crag trail which will take you to the summit.

-Tuckerman Ravine Trail: 4.2 miles, elevation gain of 4,250 feet. This is the most popular trail up Mount Washington, on a nice summer weekend day expect hundreds of people all over the trail! The trail starts out at PNVC (Pinkham Notch Visitor Center) and is moderately difficult but not excessively steep. Hermit Lake Shelter is 2.4 miles into the hike and water is available. From here you climb up the ravine to the headwall and then ascend the summit cone over rocks and boulders. In deteriorating weather conditions it is not recommended to venture up the headwall and over it due to high winds, very low visibility, and fast changing weather conditions. The yellow warning sign you pass along the trail says it all ***The area ahead has the worst weather in America. Many have died there from exposure even in the summer. Turn back now if the weather is bad***

-Boott Spur Trail: 5.4 miles, elevation gain 4,300 feet (via Tuckerman Ravine trail, Davis and Crawford Paths).  This trail offers excellent views into Tuckerman Ravine while hiking along it's south ridge on it's ascent to the summit of Washington. It is above treeline for 3.5 miles, moderately steep, and has rough footing.

-Lion Head Trail: 4.4 miles, 4,250 elevation gain (via Tuckerman and other trails Alpine Garden/Nelson Crag/etc).  Follows a steep ridge above the north wall of Tuckerman Ravine and gives the appearance of a lions head.  This trail is very steep in places and although not dangerous does give a world class beating to the knees if descending.  Views into Tuckerman Ravine are pretty awesome while hiking Lion Head and in summer months when Tucks' is heavily used it's provides a less crowded option to hiking Mount Washington.

-Glen Boulder Trail: 5.7 miles, elevation gain 4,400 feet (via Davis and Crawford Paths).  This trail starts 1.0 miles south of PNVC but can be accessed from PNVC via the Direttissima, it is moderately steep, has some rough footing, gets above treeline pretty quickly, and has a fun rock scramble that can be difficult when wet. The trail features the "Glen Boulder" an immense boulder thats sits along the trail sticking out from the surrounding terrain. The trail is lightly traveled above the Glen Boulder and provides excellent views all around while following a narrow trail above the Gulf Of Slides.

-Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail: 4.5 miles, 3,800 feet (via Carwford Path).  The fastest way to get to the summit of Mount Washington from the west (Trailhead is on the Cog Railway Base Road off Route 302, Brenton Woods), the trail takes you to Lakes of the Clouds Hut and is protected from the weather for almost all of the way. The "Ammo" trail follows close by the Ammonoosuc River, you also cross the gem pool, and there is an excellent side path to "The Gorge" which is the bottom of two 600 foot waterfalls.  The trail gets extremely steep at 2.1 miles in right after passing the Gem Pool, ascending 1,550 feet in just 1.0 miles!  High winds out of the west and north west can be brutal past lakes of the clouds while ascending the summit cone via Crawford Path.  In the winter the trailhead is closed but Base road is usually plowed (mostly untreated) to Marsh Field Cog Station.

-Jewell Trail: 5.1 miles, 3,900 feet (via Gulfside Trail). The trail leaves just across the road from the same parking lot as the Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail.  It is the easiest way to summit Washington with it's moderate grades and generally good footing.  It gets above treeline at around 3.0 miles and has excellent views of the "Ridge of the Caps" of Mount Jefferson and as you hike you can watch the Cog train slowly crawl up the tracks to the summit.  Once on the Gulfside trail it's about 1.5 miles south to Mount Washington offering great views of Clay Mountain, the Great Gulf, the summit cone, the cog railway, Lakes of the Clouds and Mount Monroe.  Be careful of the fast changing weather since you'll be greatly exposed above treeline to the harsh conditions especially the north/north westerly winds.

-Nelson Crag: 5.3 miles, 4,400 feet (via Old Jackson Road) .  The nelson Crag Trail leaves Old Jackson Road 1.7 miles north of Pinkham Notch Visitor's Center.  It has steep grades and rough footing below treeline for the first 1.1 miles.  The next 2.5 miles until Mount Washington's Summit are above treeline with moderate grades and incredible views of the Northern Presidentials, Wildcat/Carter Range, as well as partial views of Huntington and Tuckerman Ravine up to the Boot Spur Ridge to the south.  the Nelson Crag Trail is lightly used compared to most trails up Washington and is very scenic.  It is exposed to the full force of the N-NW winds and in bad weather can become very difficult due to the exposure above treeline.

-Crawford Path: 8.5 miles, 4,750 feet. The trailhead for Crawford Path is across the street from the Highland Center at Crawford Notch off Route 302. It is the oldest continuously used trail in the United States and is an extremely popular trail that is well marked and has incredible views.  The trail has moderate grades and decent footing the whole way but has knee hammering boulders and rocks above treeline that will give your feet a beating when descending.  From the Webster-Cliff Trail Junction to the Gulfside Trail just below the summit of Mount Washington it is part of the Appalachian Trail. The trail passes around the summits of Mount Pierce (.1 miles via Webster Cliff), Eisenhower (.4 miles via Eisenhower Loop), Franklin (.1 miles via a side path), and Monroe (.4 miles via Monroe Loop).  From Pierce to Washington the trail is very exposed running above treeline and can be dangerous in low visibility and bad weather which only gets worse as you continue up towards Mount Washington.

-Comments: Mount Washington offers almost everything a hiker could dream of, challenging trails, tremendous views, flip of the coin weather resulting in sunny/light wind weather with hundreds of people on the trail one day, high winds/low visibility/extreme weather with hardcore hikers out an about the next day.  While all the trails provide excellent adventures and different unique views only one takes it to the next level...Huntington Ravine Trail, if you're up for the challenge and have good weather it's beyond rewarding!

Trip Reports:

November 19th, 2016: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (Run)

September 26th, 2016: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine and Crawford Path, down Gulfside and Jewell Trail )No Report)

August 20th, 2016: Up Great Gulf Trail, down Gulfside Trail, up and down Mount Clay Loop, up Gulfside Trail, up and down Mount Jefferson Loop, up Gulfside Trail and Lowe's Path, down Airline and Gulfside Trail, up and down Osgood Trail, down Daniel Webster Scout Trail, across Dolly Copp and Great Gulf Link

August 5th, 2016: Up Lion Head Trail, down Tuckerman Ravine Trail

July 12th, 2016: Up Tuckerman Ravine Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Mount Monroe Loop Trail, across Camel Trail and Davis Path, Down Boott Spur, Boott Spur Link, and Tuckerman Ravine Trail

June 18th, 2016: Presidential Range vs. Great Range Challenge

June 16th, 2016: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (No Report)

September 26th, 2015: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South (Run)

August 29th, 2015: Up Tuckerman Ravine Trail, Down Nelson Crag and Old Jackson Road

August 2nd, 2015: Up Pine Link Trail, Howker Ridge Trail, Osgood Trail, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Jefferson Loop, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Clay Loop, up Gulfside Trail, down Crawford Path, Southside, Tuckerman Crossover, Camel Trail, Davis Path, Glen Boulder Trail, Direttissima

July 27th, 2015: Up Jewell Trail and Gulfside Trail, down Crawford Path and Ammonoosuc Ravine trail

June 20th, 2015: Up Old Jackson Road, Raymond Path, Huntington Ravine Trail, across Alpine Garden Trail, up Tuckerman Ravine Trail, down Crawford Path, Davis Path, Camel Trail, Old Crawford Path, down Davis Path, Boott Spur Trail, Tuckerman Ravine Trail

February 27th, 2015: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, up Monroe Loop Trail, up Crawford Path, across Gulfside Trail, up and down Jefferson Loop Trail, across Gulfside and Westside Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Eisenhower Loop Trail, across Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail, down Webster-Jackson Trail, Route 302, Mount Clinton Road, and Base Station Road walks

December 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

October 25th, 2014: Up Great Gulf, Wamsutta, and Nelson Crag Trail, down Tuckerman Ravine Trail

June 21st, 2014: Up Great Gulf, down Nelson Crag, Alpine Garden, Lion Head, and Tuckerman Ravine

June 15th, 2014: Presidential Range Traverse, North to South

April 12th, 2014: Up Crawford path, down Cog Tracks

March 7th, 2014: Up Ammonoosuc and Crawford Path, across Gulfside, Clay Loop, and Jefferson Loop, down Jewell Trail

October 13th, 2013: Up Tuckerman Ravine, down Crawford Path, Davis Path, Glen Boulder Trail, across Direttissima

October 12th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

July 21st, 2013: Double Presidential Range Traverse

July 13th, 2013: Up Huntington, down Great Gulf, up Adams Slide, down Lowe's Path, across Gulfside, up Jefferson Loop, down Gulfside and the Sphinx, out Great Gulf, Madison Gulf, and Old Jackson Road

June 16th, 2013: Jefferson through Webster Loop

May 18th, 2013: Up Tuckerman and Huntington Ravine Trails, across Alpine Garden Trail, down Lion Head and Tuckerman Ravine Trail

March 9th, 2013: Presidential Range Traverse

August 24th, 2012: Up Tuckerman and Huntington Ravine Trails, across Alpine Garden Trail, down Lion Head and Tuckerman Ravine Trail

May 20th, 2012: Double Presidential Range Traverse

May 19th, 2012: Madison through Isolation Loop

May 6th, 2012: Jefferson through Jackson Loop

September 25th, 2011: Up Jewell Trail, across Gulfside Trail, down and up Sphinx Trail, up Mount Clay Loop and Gulfside Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Mount Monroe Loop, down Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail

July 30th, 2011: MMD - More and More Difficult: "Pinkham Notch Loop" Dolly Copp Road, Route 16, Up North Branch of Imp Trail, across Carter-Moriah and Wildcat Ridge, down Polecat Ski Trail, up-over-down Lila's Ledge to Old Jackson Road, Up Tuckerman Ravine and Lion Head to Washington, across Clay, Jefferson, Adams, and Madison via Gulfside, Clay Loop, Jefferson Loop, Isreal Ridge/Lowe's Path, and Osgood Trail, down Daniel Webster-Scout Trail, road walk back to Barnes Field

June 27th, 2011: Double Presidential Range Traverse (Pierce through Madison and back) Crawford Path and loop trail, Gulfised Trail and loop trails, Lowe's, Airline, and Osgood Trail.

April 22nd, 2011: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, up and down Mount Monroe Loop Trail, up Crawford Path, down Cog Tracks

October 3rd, 2010: Up Tuckerman Ravine Trail, down Crawford Path, up and down Mount Monroe Loop Trail, over Camel Trail, down Davis Path and the Boot Spur

September 18th, 2010: Up Davis Path, down Crawford Path, up and down Mount Monroe Loop Trail, down Dry River Wilderness Trail

August 14th, 2010: Up Huntington Ravine Trail, down Gulfside Trail, over Mount Clay Loop, Sphinx Trail (trailwork) up Gulfside Trail, across Alpine Garden, down Lion Head and Tuckerman Ravine Trail

July 31st, 2010: Up Caps Ridge Trail, The Cornice, across Gulfside Trail, Mount Clay Loop, down Crawford Path, up and down Mount Monroe Loop Trail, down Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, over Jewell, Boundary Line, and up Jefferson Notch Road

July 18th, 2010: Up Tuckerman Ravine Trail, down Gulfside and Sphinx Trail, up Great Gulf Trail, down Nelson Crag Trail and Old Jackson Road

June 19th, 2010: Full Presidential Range Traverse (North to South)

June 12th, 2010: Across Jewell/Boundary Line Trail, up Jefferson Notch Road, Caps Ridge and Mount Jefferson Loop Trail, across and up Gulfside Trail, down Crawford Path, Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, 

May 16th, 2010: Up Tuckerman Ravine and Lion Head Trail, down Davis Path, Boot Spur, Boot Spur Link, and Tuckerman Ravine Trail

April 24th, 2010: Up Crawford Path (and loop trails), down Cog Tracks

January 23rd, 2010: Up and down Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail, Mount Monroe Loop Trail, and Crawfprd Path

November 8th, 2009: Up Ammonoosuc Ravine, Mount Monroe Loop Trail, and Crawford Path, down Gulfside and Jewell Trail

September 20th, 2009: Up Huntington Ravine, down Crawford path, up Mount Monroe Loop Trail, over Camel Trail and Davis Path, Down Boot Spur and Tuckerman Ravine Trail

August 8th, 2009: Across Old Jackson Road and Madison Gulf Trail, up Great Gulf Trail, down Davis Path, Gulf of Slides, and Direttissma Trail

August 8th, 2009: Presidential Range Traverse (South to North)

October 11th, 2008: Up Jewell and Gulfside Trail, down Lion Head and Tuckerman Ravine Trail

June 28th, 2008: Full Presidential Rnge Traverse (North to South)

July 4th, 2007: Up Huntington Ravine Trail, down Tuckerman Ravine Trail