Mount Webster, Mount Jackson, Mount Pierce via Webster Cliff Trail: Crawford Notch, NH
July 6, 2003


The author with Mount Carrigan in the distance.

 This was a long awaited hike up the Webster Cliff Trail and over three of the southern most of the Presidentials.  I wanted to wait for the perfect day to make this hike because of it's excellent views and outlooks.  While I didn't quite get the "perfect" day, it was good enough for this excellent 13 mile ball buster of a hike.  I began the morning by locking my bike at the beginning of the Crawford Trail at the top of the Crawford Notch.  I then drove down to the bottom of the notch, parked my car, and hit the Webster Cliff Trail.

The trail begins by crossing the Saco River on a well constructed wooden foot bridge.  Then the trail ascends up and around the backside of the ridge that the Webster Cliff Trail follows.  The trail offered a steady incline for a half hour, and then the climbing became rather steep for a while.  The trail eventually levels off and reaches the first out look on the cliffs around the one hour mark.  The view is impressive looking up into the Crawford Notch with Mount Willey and Mount Field forming the west side of the notch, Mount Willard and Mount Avalon the north wall of the notch, and the cliffs of Mount Webster on the east side.  I paused to catch my breath, enjoy the awesome views, and take some pictures.

Mount Willey and Mount Field
Mount Willey and Mount Field

After my brief rest, I continued my journey along Webster Cliff.  The trail ducks in and out of the trees offering occasional views from granite ledges.  The trail maintains a steady incline while offering the occasion "up and down" features.   Soon the trail reaches a few final steep rocky pitches and turns a corner on to the summit of Mount Webster.  A short and quick descent brought me into a fairly flat col between Mount Webster and Mount Jackson.  I met several through hikers on doing the south bound AT hike along this section of trail.  I pressed on despite hunger and thirst wanting to hit the summit of Mount Jackson before stopping for lunch and a long break.  Starting to feel tired and not up to the mileage of the hike, I finally hit the summit of Mount Jackson which offers excellent views towards the Southern Presidentials and various other viewscapes.  Mount Washington was socked in the clouds, but all other summits were visible.  I grabbed a seat on some rocks with a northward view, and dug into a sandwich, summit apple (granny smith, Mmmmm), and water.

After an extended lunch break, I decided to continue on to Mount Pierce.  I had left the option open of bailing out on the Webster-Jackson trail which would have been over 3 miles shorter.  However, I was feeling a third wind coming on.  I peered to the north and spied the AMC Mitzpah Hut and Mount Pierce towering over it.  No further than Mount Jackson had been from Mount Webster.  I decided to press onward and complete this epic hike.


Mount Webster raises over it's cliffs

I paused to chat with some women from the Cambridge area before venturing into the col between Mount Jackson and Mount Pierce.  Once descended from the summit, the trail was mostly flat.  Several bog bridges were built on the trail; however, the trail was completely dry rendering the bog bridges essentially pointless at this time of year.  I moved quickly through this flat section as I have won't to do when the trail bores me slightly.  Also, an anticipation of reaching the Hut to refill my water bottles before reaching my final summit spurred me on.

Soon, I reached Mitzpah Hut and stopped in for a brief rest and a refill of water.  The semi-civilized and touristy nature of this "backcountry" hut soon had me on the move again.  The Webster-Jackson Trail next ascends very steeply up the east flank of Mount Pierce above the hut.  I was proceeding rather slowly (by my standards) at this point and taking long pulls of water from my bottles.  A father and son staying at the hut passed me which would normally have put me to shame.  However, after 8 miles of tough hiking in the hot sun, I felt no shame in seeing these two pass by me on fresh legs.  Soon a broad look out to the south is reached, then the trail ascends around a corner to Mount Pierce summit which offered an awesome view north to Mount Eisenhower, often referred to as Ike.


From near the summit of Mount Webster
Mt. Jackson and Webster and Mt. Carrigan (far) from Mt. Pierce

Near the summit of Mt. Webster

Another snack break was in order, so I grabbed a northward facing seat on some rocks and dug into my sandwich.  The temperature suddenly plummeted and the wind kicked into high gear.  I quickly donned my t-shirt and wind breaker.  Dark ominous clouds were growing to the west; however, I took my time enjoying my final summit.

Once the wind started getting quite biting, I ventured down off the summit and to the end of the Webster-Jackson Trail where it meets the Crawford Path (the longest continuously maintained hiking trail in the United States).  With one final pause to take in the summit vista of the Southern Presidentials, I re-entered the woods for the long trudge back down the mountain.

The descent was an exceptionally long slog that I had been dreading.  My mileage pushed over one dozen and my total time was nearing 7 hours when I finally hit Gibbs Falls near the bottom of the trail.  After a brief stop at the Falls, I pressed on to the end of the trail.
Gibbs Falls off the Crawford Trail

Mount Eisenhower from the summit of Mount Pierce
Ike again with Jefferson to the left and Monroe to the right

I found my bike that I had stashed in the parking lot, and being the fun and fast downhill ride through Crawford Notch.  The ride down the notch is almost completely downhill and required very little peddling.  This is one of the best bike spots I could possibly imagine for a solo hiker.  The descent was so steep in places, I fully applied my breaks and was still flying quite fast.  Contemplating how much a fall or accident would hurt and possibly cripple me, I slowed down the descent to a responsible speed.  All the while thinking of the guys biking the Tour De France and how dangerous that trek is.  I soon concluded my bike ride, and gladly removed my socks and hiking shoes.

While not extremely difficult, this long hike was made toughest by the steep and long ascent of Mount Webster via the Webster Cliff trail.  The trail over the Cliffs feature many ups and downs and turns; and the ascent to the cliffs is no picnic.  But the rewards offered by way of views and the fun aspect of this trail makes the distance and elevation gain well worth it.  After concluding my trip, I speed back up the notch in my car to partake in a three scoop bowl of ice cream!

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