White Mountain National Forest: Eisenhower, Pierce, and Jackson (submitted #1)

Start the day, or spend the night before, at the AMC’s Highland Center (http://www.outdoors.org/lodging/lodges/highland/index.cfm). Either way be sure to grab some breakfast (all you can eat buffet) before you head out for the day. Good food at a great price.

You can also browse the AMC’s small library and pick up any maps or supplies that you might need out on the trail. Be sure to use the last flush toilet that you will see for a the rest of the day. While there are bathrooms and coin-operated showers at the Crawford Depot they are not always open.

Do not leave your car in the parking area at the Highland Center – it is reserved for guests. Instead leave the parking lot and take a right onto Route 302 and drive east about 250 yards.The Depot is in your right and you can park there. There is also space across the street.

Since this is where you will finish your hike you will have to throw all of your gear into another car and make the short drive to the Edmunds Path trailhead.Take a left out of the Depot parking area and head west on Route 302 for about 500 yards.Take a right onto Mt. Clinton Road (closed in winter check here for conditions www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/white_mountain/conditions/roads_status.php). There is additional parking as soon as you turn onto Mt. Clinton Road.The trailhead parking area is about two-and-a-half miles north and will be on your right. There is limited parking and there is a day use fee of $3.00 per vehicle.

From the trailhead follow Edmands Path (limited views along the way) for about three miles and then the Mt. Eisenhower Loop (above treeline – open and exposed) to the open summit of Eisenhower. This area is open and exposed and can be treacherous in bad weather. You need to stay on the trail here so you don’t damage the fragile alpine plants.

From the summit of Eisenhower follow Mt. Eisenhower Loop south to join Crawford Path (above treeline – open and exposed) on your way to the open summit of Pierce before following Webster Cliff Trail down to the AMC’s Mizpah Hut (a place to refill your water bottles and use the bathroom – overnight lodging is also available).

When you leave the hut follow Webster Cliff Trail to the open summit of Jackson. From there follow the Jackson Branch of the Webster Jackson Trail before it merges with the Webster Branch. Then follow the Webster-Jackson Trail back to your car at the Crawford Depot.

Trail Facts

• Distance: 13.8

Waypoints

000

Location: 44.249073, -71.391134

Edmands Path Trailhead Parking Area on the east side of Mt. Clinton Road.

001

Location: 44.249306, -71.389115

First of three stream crossings. All three have bridges to cross them.

002

Location: 44.245003, -71.366532

The trail is easy to follow but is very eroded in spots.

003

Location: 44.24162, -71.356672

Pass through a small stone gate that leads to some stone stairs.

004

Location: 44.243327, -71.351589

Looking north form the trail – Franklin in the forground and Washington in the background. Black smoke from the Cog Railway can be seen along the ridge leading to Washington.

005

Location: 44.242825, -71.347801

The trail opens up just before the junction. Looking north east from Edmunds Path as you apporach Mt. Eisenhower Loop. To the left is Franklin and to the right is Eisenhower.

006

Location: 44.242501, -71.345022

Trail junction. Crawford Path (AT) goes north (left) and souht (right). To reach the summit of Eisenhower need to take a sharp right and follow the Mt. Eisenhower Loop to the top.

007

Location: 44.241039, -71.348413

Looking to the top of Eisenhower along the Mt. Eisenhower Loop.

008

Location: 44.240657, -71.350322

Summit of Eisenhower.

009

Location: 44.23738, -71.350838

Here the Eisenhower Loop Trail rejoins the Crawford Path (AT).

011

Location: 44.227962, -71.363914

One of several boardwalks that have been put in place to protect the area while keeping your boots dry and clean.

012

Location: 44.227808, -71.364669

Here the Crawford Path goes to the right and leads back to the AMC’s Highland Center. This is a good route to use if the weather changes or if you just want to shorten the hike. The Webster Cliff Trail goes to the left and leads to the summit of Pierce.

013

Location: 44.226845, -71.365734

The summit of Pierce. Watch your food since the local birds aren’t afraid of you and will try to steal things right out of your hands.

014

Location: 44.220417, -71.369798

A well constructed set of stairs to help you as you head down to the AMC’s Mizpah Hut.

015

Location: 44.219397, -71.369826

The AMC’s Mispah Hut – a great place to refill your water bottles, grab some fresh-cooked goodies from the hut grew, or just spread out and relax. You can make overnight reservations for the hut or the nearby campsite. From the Hut you take the Webster Cliff Trail to continue on to Jackson.

016

Location: 44.208014, -71.376204

06-JUN-09 2:56:58PM

017

Location: 44.204763, -71.37588

Not a technical climb, but it could be slippery when wet.

018

Location: 44.204176, -71.37575

A slightly more steep scramble but still not too technical.

019

Location: 44.203333, -71.375345

The summit of Jackson. The Webster Cliff Trail (AT) continues south to Webster while the Webster Jackson Trail (Jackson Branch) leaves the peak and heads west towards the AMC’S Highland Center.

021

Location: 44.205554, -71.39243

Here the Webster Jackson Trail (Webster Branch) enters from left and the two branches merge into one. Continue straight.

024

Location: 44.216013, -71.406394

Here a spur trail leave the trail to the left and leads to Elephant Head 0.2 miles away.

025

Location: 44.21527, -71.407624

Route 302 – almost home. Take a right and head towards the Crawford Depot, you should be able to see it as soon as you get to the road.

026

Location: 44.218139, -71.411476

Back at the cars.

001.JPG

Location: 44.249441, -71.388989

002.JPG

Location: 44.245015, -71.366512

003.JPG

Location: 44.241648, -71.35663

004.JPG

Location: 44.243339, -71.351545

005.JPG

Location: 44.242832, -71.347768

006.JPG

Location: 44.242532, -71.344979

007.JPG

Location: 44.241049, -71.34838

009.JPG

Location: 44.23739, -71.350783

011.JPG

Location: 44.227973, -71.363872

012.JPG

Location: 44.227827, -71.364634

013.JPG

Location: 44.226873, -71.365707

014.JPG

Location: 44.220438, -71.369752

015.JPG

Location: 44.219423, -71.369795

016.JPG

Location: 44.208027, -71.376178

Another boardwalk, but this one isn’t as dry as some of the others.

017.JPG

Location: 44.204797, -71.375867

018.JPG

Location: 44.204205, -71.375738

019.JPG

Location: 44.203343, -71.375299

021.JPG

Location: 44.205581, -71.3924

024.JPG

Location: 44.216025, -71.406348

025.JPG

Location: 44.215302, -71.407582

026.JPG

Location: 44.21817, -71.411455