What are the main hiking routes to Mount Eisenhower?

The main routes to Mount Eisenhower include: Edmands Path - western approach., Crawford Path & Eisenhower Loop - from south..

How difficult is hiking Mount Eisenhower?

Mount Eisenhower is rated as Moderate difficulty.

How long does it take to hike Mount Eisenhower?

Typically, hiking Mount Eisenhower takes 4–5 hours - via Edmands Path round-trip..

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Mount Eisenhower

Mount Eisenhower is a 4,780-foot mountain in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains.

Prominence: 353 ft Range: Presidential Range

Elevation: 4,760 ft

Snow-covered Mount Eisenhower summit in winter afternoon light with layered mountain ridges — Mount Eisenhower in the White Mountains of New Hampshire glistens under soft winter sunlight, revealing snow-dusted granite ledges and the expansive alpine zone. The distant ridgeline fades into cool blues, highlighting the serene mountain weather of the Presidential Range within White Mountain National Forest.

Mount Eisenhower ridge and rocky trail in autumn under clear sky — A crisp fall afternoon reveals the rugged granite ledges and winding ridge line of Mount Eisenhower in New Hampshire's White Mountains. The expansive vista captures the layered peaks of the Presidential Range beneath a bright blue sky with scattered clouds.

Mount Eisenhower ridge line with fall colors under a bright blue sky in White Mountains — A sweeping landscape captures Mount Eisenhower's ridge line adorned with autumnal hues in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The clear afternoon sky above the White Mountain National Forest highlights the alpine zone and granite ledges along the summit trail.

Snow-dusted pine branches with Mount Eisenhower ridge in background under cloudy sky — A crisp winter afternoon captures frost-covered pines in the foreground with the snow-blanketed slopes of Mount Eisenhower rising behind. The dense forest trail and granite ledges of the Presidential Range are softened under a muted sky in White Mountain National Forest, New Hampshire.

Mount Eisenhower Snow-covered trail crosses icy rock on an alpine ridge beneath thick overcast clouds near Mount Pierce — A narrow winter footpath cuts through wind-scoured rock and drifted snow in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. Low alpine vegetation is glazed with rime, and the ridge fades into thick cloud, creating a quiet, minimalist scene. Diffuse afternoon light and low visibility emphasize texture—ice, stone, and snow—over distant detail. Trip context places this image with Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower.

Mount Eisenhower Snow-covered coniferous forest and rounded mountain peaks under overcast winter sky in White Mountains near Mount Pierce — A serene winter scene in the White Mountains of New Hampshire features snow-covered coniferous forests beneath an overcast sky. Two rounded mountain peaks rise in the background, illuminated by diffused afternoon light through cloud cover. Trip context places this image with Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower.

Mount Eisenhower Snowy rock cairn on an icy summit ledge with hazy mountain ridges under overcast sky near Mount Pierce — A snow- and rime-ice-coated rock cairn anchors the foreground on an exposed alpine ledge, with layered White Mountains ridgelines fading into a hazy distance. Overcast winter skies create soft, diffuse light and muted contrast, emphasizing the wind-scoured textures of ice and stone and the broad, quiet scale of the surrounding mountain landscape. Trip context places this image with Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower.

Mount Eisenhower Rime-ice covered summit sign on snowy rocks overlooking distant ridgelines under an overcast winter sky near Mount Pierce — A rime-ice encased summit sign stands on wind-scoured rock and crusted snow, looking out over layered mountain ridgelines fading into winter haze. A heavy overcast sky softens the light, while a thin warm band near the horizon adds subtle contrast to the cold alpine scene in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Trip context places this image with Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower.

Mount Eisenhower Two icy stone cairns on snowy alpine rocks above a forested valley under low clouds near Mount Pierce — Two stone cairns, glazed with rime ice, rise from wind-sculpted snow on exposed alpine rock. Beyond them, a steep basin of dark conifers drops into a mountain valley while low clouds and fog soften the ridgelines. The muted, overcast light emphasizes winter texture—drifts, scoured patches, and frozen crust—typical of harsh White Mountains conditions. Trip context places this image with Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower.

Mount Eisenhower Layered winter mountain ridges with patchy snow on forested slopes under a pale sky near Mount Pierce — A telephoto view compresses the White Mountains into a series of overlapping ridgelines, where dark evergreen slopes are traced with patchy snowfields and pale gullies. A rounded, snow-capped foreground knob anchors the frame beneath larger, shadowed peaks. Clear winter air and slight atmospheric haze create depth under a calm, lightly tinted sky. Trip context places this image with Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower.

Mount Eisenhower Rime-coated evergreens frame a snowy valley with red-roofed buildings, roads, and distant ridgelines near Mount Pierce — A telephoto winter view looks out over a broad White Mountains valley, where snow-dusted fields and a curving roadway weave through a small developed corridor. In the foreground, evergreen branches are coated in rime ice, adding crisp texture against layered, forested ridgelines that fade into blue-gray haze under soft afternoon light. Trip context places this image with Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower.

Mount Eisenhower Rock cairns beside a rocky alpine hiking trail with distant mountain ridges and a partly cloudy blue sky on the Presidential Traverse in the White Mountains during summer — A rugged alpine trail winds through rocky terrain marked by rock cairns under partly cloudy skies during a summer afternoon on the Presidential Traverse in the White Mountains.

Mount Eisenhower Rocky hiking trail descending a mountain ridge with rocky ground and reddish grasses under partly cloudy summer skies, overlooking distant forested valleys in the White Mountains — A rocky, rugged hiking trail descending a mountain ridge under a partly cloudy sky in summer. The foreground shows uneven stones and patches of reddish grasses, with distant forested hills and blue sky peeking through clouds. This image captures the expansive landscape and atmospheric weather typical of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire's White Mountains.

Ice-Swept Summit Slopes on Mount Eisenhower poster — Wind-packed snow and exposed ice lead from Mount Eisenhower toward valleys beneath a heavy winter sky.

Mountain Overview

Mount Eisenhower is a 4,780-foot mountain in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. It lies in Coös County and is one of the southern Presidentials. Formerly known as Mount Pleasant, it was renamed to honor President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Mount Eisenhower has a broad, dome-shaped summit that is mostly treeless, providing hikers with excellent 360-degree views of the surrounding peaks and valleys. Mount Eisenhower is one of the southern Presidential Range peaks, known for its broad, dome-shaped summit (largely treeless) with excellent 360-degree views. This mountain was originally named Mount Pleasant by the 1820 Weeks-Brackett exploration party. For many years it was referred to as Mount Pleasant, while other nearby peaks took on Presidents’ names. After President Dwight D. Eisenhower died in 1969, there was a movement to honor him in the White Mountains. In 1970 the U.S. Board on Geographic Names officially changed Mount Pleasant to Mount Eisenhower. The peak’s rounded summit and alpine environment have made it a favorite for hikers and campers; even before the renaming, it was popular as the last above-treeline stop on the Crawford Path heading north. A summit cairn and the remnants of an old shelter site can be found on top. Mount Eisenhower’s history is quieter than some of its neighbors – it lacks the railway or roads – but its name reflects the state’s pride in the only U.S. President (so far) to visit these peaks during his lifetime (Eisenhower took a trip up Mount Washington in 1955). Today’s hikers often note the contrast between the peak’s tranquil nature and the global significance of its namesake.

General Info

Elevation

4,760 ft

Prominence

353 ft

Range

Presidential Range

Trail Type

Out & back

Difficulty

Moderate

Exposure

High - summit above treeline – wind and weather can be intense.

Typical Time

4–5 hours - via Edmands Path round-trip.

Best seasons

Summer and fall - accessible in winter with proper gear via Mt. Clinton Rd ski/snowshoe.

Water availability

Limited - seasonal small brook low on Edmands Path; otherwise none on trail.

Cell reception

Spotty - some reception on summit and ridge, none in lower forest.

First Photo & Camera

Mountain

Mount Eisenhower

Photo

Winter Light on Mount Eisenhower Summit

Description

Captured in the late afternoon of a clear winter day, this landscape showcases Mount Eisenhower's rounded summit cloaked in fresh snow. The scene emphasizes the rugged alpine zone and granite ledges characteristic of the Presidential Range. The layered ridges of the White Mountains stretch into the distance, enveloped in crisp mountain weather typical of White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire.

Dimensions

8688 x 5792

Credit

Static map preview

Mount Eisenhower: summit area with linked trail context.

Summit: 44.2407, -71.3502

Trails: Edmands Path, Crawford Path, Mount Eisenhower Loop, Edmands Path - western approach.

NOAA / NWS Updated Mon, Sep 14, 2:23 PM EDT

41°F

Partly Cloudy Bartlett, NH point forecast

Wind30 mph NW

Gusts49 mph

Precip3%

Humidity89%

MWOBS Higher Summits ForecastOfficial higher-summit outlook for exposed White Mountain terrain

5-Day Forecast

NOAA / NWS day and night periods near this summit point.

Mon

35°F

Partly Cloudy

Tue

54°F / 44°F

Mostly Sunny

Wed

62°F / 49°F

Mostly Sunny

Thu

57°F / 50°F

Mostly Cloudy then Chance Rain Showers

Fri

54°F / 41°F

Slight Chance Rain Showers then Mostly Sunny

Forecast Snapshots

Choose 1-hour snapshots or 15-minute checkpoints from the NOAA hourly forecast.

CadenceTime

Mon 7:00 PM

Partly Cloudy

Temp41°F

Wind30 mph NW

Gusts49 mph

Precip3%

Humidity89%

NOAA hourly forecast period

Primary NOAA point forecast coverage is available for this summit location.

USNOGenerated Mon, Sep 14, 7:01 PM EDT

Sunrise6:23 AM Daylight Length12h 35m Sunset6:58 PM

Sunrise

6:23 AM EDT

Sunset

6:58 PM EDT

Moonrise

10:23 AM EDT

Moonset

8:10 PM EDT

Moon phase

Waxing Crescent

14% illuminated

USNO astronomy is available for this summit.

High-summit climate profile

1991-2020 Mount Washington climate normals. Daylight is calculated at South Twin Mountain.

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

0 / 3

Sources & method

Climate reference: Mount Washington, NH US · 6267 ft · 1991-2020

Solar reference: South Twin Mountain · 2026

Wind is not displayed: January hourly coverage is below the 80% threshold.

NOAA/NCEI · U.S. Climate Normals, Monthly 1991-2020 NOAA/NCEI · Global Hourly U.S. Naval Observatory · Complete Sun and Moon Data for One Day

Climatology describes typical conditions, not a forecast.

Trail gradeGentle0–8%Moderate8–15%Steep15–25%Very steep25%+

Mount Jackson → Mount Pierce2.25 mi Mount Pierce → Mount Eisenhower1.53 mi Mount Eisenhower → Mount Monroe2.05 mi Mount Monroe → Mount Washington1.75 mi

Route order: Mount Jackson → Mount Pierce → Mount Eisenhower → Mount Monroe → Mount Washington

Hover, touch, or use arrow keys for exact distance, terrain elevation, and grade. Terrain: 1 m USGS S1M DEM (NAVD88); summits: official NH48 elevations.

Mount PierceConnected trailsClosest trail link

Trail: 1.54 mi
Gain: +281 ft
Loss: −723 ft
Time: 39 min

Summit-to-summit route

Mount Eisenhower Mount Pierce

Via Mount Eisenhower Loop / Crawford Path / Webster Cliff Trail

1.21 mi straight-line • low point 4,055 ft • confidence: medium

Open peak guide

Mount Eisenhower 4,758 ftcol / low point 4,055 ftMount Pierce 4,308 ft

Mount MonroeConnected trails

Trail: 2.05 mi
Gain: +1,057 ft
Loss: −471 ft
Time: 1 h 13 min

Summit-to-summit route

Mount Eisenhower Mount Monroe

Via Mount Eisenhower Loop / Crawford Path / Mount Monroe Loop

1.74 mi straight-line • low point 4,409 ft • confidence: medium

Open peak guide

Mount Eisenhower 4,758 ftcol / low point 4,409 ftMount Monroe 5,343 ft

Mount JacksonConnected trails

Trail: 3.79 mi
Gain: +841 ft
Loss: −1,569 ft
Time: 1 h 41 min

Summit-to-summit route

Mount Eisenhower Mount Jackson

Via Mount Eisenhower Loop / Crawford Path / Webster Cliff Trail / Webster-Jackson Trail

2.88 mi straight-line • low point 3,666 ft • confidence: medium

Open peak guide

Mount Eisenhower 4,758 ftcol / low point 3,666 ftMount Jackson 4,025 ft

Mount WashingtonConnected trails

Trail: 3.79 mi
Gain: +2,352 ft
Loss: −828 ft
Time: 2 h 26 min

Summit-to-summit route

Mount Eisenhower Mount Washington

Via Mount Eisenhower Loop / Crawford Path / Mount Monroe Loop / Gulfside Trail / Trinity Heights Connector

3.10 mi straight-line • low point 4,409 ft • confidence: medium

Open peak guide

Mount Eisenhower 4,758 ftcol / low point 4,409 ftMount Washington 6,284 ft

Mt. Clinton Road - Edmands Path trailhead.

Trailhead parking

Small lot along Mt. Clinton Rd; road closed in winter - adds 2 miles walk.

Trailhead

Mt. Clinton Road - Edmands Path trailhead.

Capacity

12 vehicles (est.)

Mt Clinton Rd

FR 121

Closed

District Pemi • Last updated Nov 21, 2025

Trailheads: Clinton Road Trailhead

Maintained by NHDOT - NOT maintained for winter travel

Verify official sources and posted signs before driving to a trailhead.

Technical difficulty (1-10)

Physical effort (1-10)

Difficulty class

Moderate

Typical completion time

4–5 hours - via Edmands Path round-trip.

Risk factors

Above treeline exposure, Severe weather, Limited water, Navigation, No cell service

Preparation notes

Check a summit forecast and carry windproof/warm layers; turn back if visibility or lightning risk increases. Plan water conservatively and do not assume reliable sources late in the hike. Download offline maps and do not rely on cell service; leave a plan with someone.

Bailout distance

0 mi

Weather exposure

High - summit above treeline – wind and weather can be intense.

Field planning note

Edmands Path - western approach. - 6.6 - 2,750 - Moderate - Out & back Limited - seasonal small brook low on Edmands Path; otherwise none on trail. Small lot along Mt. Clinton Rd; road closed in winter - adds 2 miles walk.

Water availability

Limited - seasonal small brook low on Edmands Path; otherwise none on trail.

Cell reception

Spotty - some reception on summit and ridge, none in lower forest.

Best seasons

Summer and fall - accessible in winter with proper gear via Mt. Clinton Rd ski/snowshoe.

Terrain

Smooth, well-graded path for most of ascent; rocky alpine cone near summit

Scramble sections

No - trail is gradual; final summit loop is a gentle rocky path.

View type

360° - open dome summit with panoramic views.

Summit marker

Rock cairn - summit is a broad dome with large cairn, no sign.

Flora / environment

Mixed hardwood and spruce at base; dense fir krummholz near treeline; alpine tundra on summit dome

Mount Eisenhower Route & Conditions

Route

Mount Eisenhower's standard hiking options include Edmands Path - western approach at 6.6 miles with 2,750 feet of gain and Crawford Path & Eisenhower Loop - from south at 7.2 miles with 2,700 feet of gain. A typical completion time is 4–5 hours - via Edmands Path round-trip.

Terrain and exposure

This is a moderate Presidential Range hike. Expect smooth, well-graded path for most of ascent; rocky alpine cone near summit. There are no major scrambling sections; expect trail is gradual; final summit loop is a gentle rocky path. Upper-mountain terrain includes mixed hardwood and spruce at base; dense fir krummholz near treeline; alpine tundra on summit dome and 360°, open dome summit with panoramic views. Weather and exposure are defining planning concerns here: high, summit above treeline, wind and weather can be intense.

Weather window

The best normal hiking window is summer and fall, roughly accessible in winter with proper gear via Mt. Clinton Rd ski/snowshoe. In September, average summit conditions are about 43 F. Check a summit forecast and carry windproof/warm layers; turn back if visibility or lightning risk increases.

Water, signal, and bailout

Water is limited: seasonal small brook low on Edmands Path; otherwise none on trail. Cell reception is spotty, some reception on summit and ridge, none in lower forest. Bailout options include Tree line is relatively close via Edmands Path and Amc Mizpah Hut, ~2.5 mi away on Crawford Path. to south for shelter.

Trailhead and access

The most common trailhead is Ammonoosuc Ravine Trailhead (Base Road), with room for about 12 vehicles. Small lot along Mt. Clinton Rd; road closed in winter - adds 2 miles walk. Other linked starts include Crawford Notch / Highland Center (Amc), Dry River Trailhead (Crawford Notch SP), Clinton Road Trailhead, and Edmands Path Trailhead. Seasonal access-road context includes Mt Clinton Rd.

Connected route context

Major linked trails include Edmands Path, Crawford Path, and Mount Eisenhower Loop. Nearby 4,000-footer connections include Mount Pierce, Mount Monroe, Mount Jackson, and Mount Washington.

Mount Eisenhower

Area Map

Trails