Mt Jackson – Three Routes

Mt Jackson is ranked #38 on the White Mountain 4000 Footer Listing. Whereas it is just 4052′ excessive, it’s straightforward to imagine that it’s a simple mountain to climb. Most individuals don’t make that mistake twice. However the effort required to hike Jackson is handsomely rewarded with nice views of Mts Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower and Pierce from its open summit.

There are three completely different routes you may observe to climb Mt Jackson, some simpler than others. All of those routes begin from Crawford Notch and supply an exquisite introduction to the White Mountain 4000 footers.

1. By way of the Crawford Path and Mizpah Hut
2. By way of the Webster-Jackson Path
3. By way of the Webster Cliff Path

Of those, the primary route by way of the Crawford Path is the best and most gradual. The Webster Jackson Path is the shortest however steepest, whereas the Webster Cliff Path has the very best views however is the longest and has probably the most complete elevation achieve.

The perfect map to hold for all three of those routes is the Appalachian Mountain Membership’s Presidential Vary Map (Map 1), which you should buy on-line or within the path store on the AMC’s Highland Middle in Crawford Notch. Detailed path descriptions might be discovered within the AMC’s White Mountain Information, which I extremely advocate getting when you plan to hike within the White Mountains usually.

Mt Jackson By way of the Crawford Path and Mizpah Hut

This route climbs the Crawford Path to the Mizpah Cuttoff path which results in the Appalachian Mountain Membership’s Mizpah Hut, the place you may cease and get refreshments or use the lavatory. From there, you’ll hike south to the summit of Mt Jackson, which requires a reasonable rock scramble to the summit. The full distance, a method, is 4.2 miles with 2450′ of elevation achieve which ought to take a median hiker 3:15 to hike.

Parking

The perfect place to park for this route is on the hiker lot off of Mt Clinton Rd, 0.1 miles north of its intersection with Rt 302 on the prime of Crawford Notch. A US Forest Service parking price is required. The Crawford Connector (under) leaves from this lot. Hikers may park alongside Rt 302, though state legislation requires that each one the wheels of your car be off-pavement. If parking alongside Rt 302, start the route on the base of the Crawford Path throughout from the AMC’s Highland Middle car parking zone which is restricted to in a single day friends.

Trails (a method)

1. Crawford Connector – 0.4 miles
2. Crawford Path  – 1.5 miles
3. Mizpah Cutoff – 0.7 miles
4. Webster Cliff Path – 1.6 miles

This complete route runs by means of forest, is nicely marked, closely traveled and nicely shielded from inclement climate. Observe the Crawford Connector, turning left onto the Crawford Path, which is the oldest constantly maintained mountaineering path in america. Whereas the primary a part of this route climbs vigorously at occasions, the second half is rather more gradual. Flip proper once you attain Mizpah Cutoff junction and observe it to the AMC’s Mizpah Hut, turning proper onto the Webster Cliff Path simply earlier than you attain the hut. Observe this path to the Mt Jackson summit.

Mt Jackson By way of the Webster-Jackson Path

The Webster-Jackson path is steep and begins climbing virtually instantly. Children will in all probability adore it, however mother and father much less so. There are a number of rocky stream crossings alongside the route which might be crossed with out getting your ft moist, however require steadiness and a few agility to cross. A tough rocky scramble is required to achieve the highest of Mt Jackson and isn’t suggested you probably have a concern of heights or poor steadiness. The full distance, a method, is 2.6 miles with 2200′ of elevation achieve which ought to take a median hiker 2:25 to hike.

Parking

The perfect place to park is on the west aspect of Rt 302 in Crawford Notch within the massive gravel car parking zone simply south of Saco Lake. It is a no-fee lot. Hikers additionally park alongside Rt 302, though state legislation requires that each one the wheels of your car be off-pavement. The Webster-Jackson Path begins on the posted signal throughout Rt 302 from the gravel lot.

Trails (a method)

1. Webster-Jackson Path – 1.4 miles
2. Jackson Department (of the Webster-Jackson path) – 1.2 miles

Observe the Webster-Jackson Path for 1.4 miles till you attain a junction the place the path splits. Bear left to observe the Jackson Department which continues to climb steeply earlier than reaching a brief, however rocky and probably tough scramble to the Jackson summit.

Mt Jackson By way of the Webster-Cliff Path

The Webster-Cliff Path climbs to Mt Webster (3910′) earlier than persevering with to Mt Jackson. It begins on the backside of Crawford Notch and never the highest, so you need to climb an additional 800′ of elevation from the get go. The primary a part of the route climbs steeply although forest till you attain the highest of Webster Cliff. From there, it runs alongside the cliff with spectacular views down into the chasm of Crawford Notch under. It’s a tough path with a number of rocky scrambles and quite a few open ledges as you make your manner as much as Mt Webster. From Webster, the path moderates till you get to a brief however difficult rocky scramble as much as the Jackson summit. The full distance, a method, is 4.7 miles with 3150′ of elevation achieve which ought to take a median hiker 3:55 to hike.

Parking

The Webster-Cliff Path which is a part of the Appalachian Path leaves from the east aspect of Rt 302 at Willey Home Station Street, which is 1.0 mile north of the Willey Home Web site and NH State Snack Bar and a pair of.6 miles south of Saco Lake (on the backside of Crawford Notch). There are gravel lot on the nook with Rt 302 the place you may park. No price is required.

Trails (one-way)

1. Webster Cliff Path – 4.7 miles

Observe the Webster Cliff Path all the way in which, which is blazed in white as a result of it coincides with the Appalachian Path.

PDF Map of all Three Routes

Mt Jackson 3 Routes
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