Presidential Traverse in White Mountain National Forest, NH

Hike Presidential Traverse White Mountain National Forest, NH

Class 2 21.2 miles 8100 gain 10-14 hrs Shuttle Jun 25, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Presidential Traverse GPX Track

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This hike has been a long time coming. Ever since I first visited the White Mountains, I've wanted to do the entire Presidential Range. Although the official route does not include Mt. Jackson, it's a great little addition at the end of the day. My friend Adam and I set out along the Appalachia Trailhead on the Valley Way Trail, then up the steep Watson Path to Mt. Madison. From the Mt. Madison summit, the ridgeline continues to the summits of Adams, Jefferson, Clay, Washington, Monroe, Franklin, Eisenhower, Pierce, and then (though not officially named after a president) finishes on Mt. Jackson. Really a stunning hike on a beautiful day, despite the warnings for this area having the "worst weather in America". The first half is slow-moving because of the steep and rocky terrain, but the second half was notably less strenuous. There are warnings that the Whites have the worst weather in America, and since you're on a ridgeline for most of the day, be smart about deciding to continue if the forecase is grim.

Take two cars, one for each side of the trail. Taxi service is available, but apparently could cost over $150. Mt. Washinton is a great break spot for well-earned unhealthy goodies and a water refill. If you're not feeling it, you can bail and take a $30 hiker shuttle down the mountain from Mt. Washington.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Mount Madison
5366 ft
466 rise
2
Mount Adams
5799 ft
861 rise
3
Mount Jefferson
5712 ft
753 rise
4
Mount Clay
5533 ft
139 rise
5
Mount Washington
6288 ft
6148 rise
6
Mount Monroe
5372 ft
254 rise
7
Mount Franklin
5000 ft
20 rise
8
Mount Eisenhower
4760 ft
335 rise
9
Mount Pierce
4310 ft
230 rise
10
Mount Jackson-North Peak
3827 ft
107 rise
11
Mount Jackson
4052 ft
332 rise

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The first couple of miles are an easy uphill following a stream.
The first couple of miles are an easy uphill following a stream.
There are a few breaks in the trees where you can see some semblance of progress.
There are a few breaks in the trees where you can see some semblance of progress.
Image 2 from gallery
Image 3 from gallery
Waterfall along Watson Path
Waterfall along Watson Path
Okay, then it gets steep.
Okay, then it gets steep.
Image 6 from gallery
Image 7 from gallery
Almost at the timber line!
Almost at the timber line!
Image 9 from gallery
Image 10 from gallery
A scramble before Mount Madison summit.
A scramble before Mount Madison summit.
Mount Madison summit.
Mount Madison summit.
Star Lake, at the saddle between Mount Madison and Mount Adams.
Star Lake, at the saddle between Mount Madison and Mount Adams.
Looking over Star Lake back toward Mount Madison before ascending Mount Adams.
Looking over Star Lake back toward Mount Madison before ascending Mount Adams.
Image 15 from gallery
Star Lake far below.
Star Lake far below.
Scramble to the top of Mount Adams.
Scramble to the top of Mount Adams.
A small 3rd class section to the top of Mount Adams.
A small 3rd class section to the top of Mount Adams.
Mount Adams summit.
Mount Adams summit.
Image 20 from gallery
Mount Washington in the distance, still far to go for the halfway point.
Mount Washington in the distance, still far to go for the halfway point.
Image 22 from gallery
Image 23 from gallery
Image 24 from gallery
Almost to Mount Jefferson, looking back toward Mount Adams.
Almost to Mount Jefferson, looking back toward Mount Adams.
Mount Jefferson summit.
Mount Jefferson summit.
Mount Clay and Mount Washington in the distance.
Mount Clay and Mount Washington in the distance.
Image 28 from gallery
Image 29 from gallery
Image 30 from gallery
Mount Clay summit, looking back toward Mount Jefferson, Adams, and Madison.
Mount Clay summit, looking back toward Mount Jefferson, Adams, and Madison.
Heading toward Mt. Washington.
Heading toward Mt. Washington.
Image 33 from gallery
Almost to Mt. Washington summit, looking back toward Clay and Jefferson.
Almost to Mt. Washington summit, looking back toward Clay and Jefferson.
The halfway point, only a short, rocky mess away!
The halfway point, only a short, rocky mess away!
Mt. Monroe is next.
Mt. Monroe is next.
Image 37 from gallery
Image 38 from gallery
Mt. Monroe summit ahead.
Mt. Monroe summit ahead.
Looking back toward Mt. Washington.
Looking back toward Mt. Washington.
Looking ahead toward Mt. Franklin and Mt. Eisenhower.
Looking ahead toward Mt. Franklin and Mt. Eisenhower.
Image 42 from gallery
Image 43 from gallery
Image 44 from gallery
Summit of Mt. Eisenhower, looking toward Mt. Monroe.
Summit of Mt. Eisenhower, looking toward Mt. Monroe.
Getting lower in elevation, finally seeing some trees again.
Getting lower in elevation, finally seeing some trees again.
Almost at the summit of Mt. Pierce, looking back toward Mt. Eisenhower.
Almost at the summit of Mt. Pierce, looking back toward Mt. Eisenhower.
Mt. Pierce summit.
Mt. Pierce summit.
Back into the woods.
Back into the woods.
Image 50 from gallery
Image 51 from gallery
Image 52 from gallery
Some pretty steep parts.
Some pretty steep parts.
Almost to Mt. Jackson, looking back toward the range from a bog. Wow.
Almost to Mt. Jackson, looking back toward the range from a bog. Wow.
Image 55 from gallery
Teeny scramble to the Mt. Jackson summit.
Teeny scramble to the Mt. Jackson summit.
Image 57 from gallery
Mt. Jackson, the last one!
Mt. Jackson, the last one!
Heading back down, only a few miles to the trailhead.
Heading back down, only a few miles to the trailhead.
Image 60 from gallery
Image 61 from gallery

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!