What are the main hiking routes to Mount Jefferson?

The main routes to Mount Jefferson include: Caps Ridge Trail - direct ascent., Castle Trail - longer approach..

How difficult is hiking Mount Jefferson?

Mount Jefferson is rated as Difficult difficulty.

How long does it take to hike Mount Jefferson?

Typically, hiking Mount Jefferson takes 4–6 hours - via Caps Ridge..

Back to NH48 Peak Catalog

Mount Jefferson

Mount Jefferson is a 5,712-foot mountain in Coös County, New Hampshire.

Prominence: 742 ft Range: Presidential Range

Elevation: 5,712 ft

Snow-covered Mount Jefferson under cloudy winter sky in New Hampshire — Mount Jefferson stands dusted with fresh snow beneath a soft, overcast sky in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. The winter afternoon casts a muted glow over the granite ledges and forested slopes of the Presidential Range within White Mountain National Forest.

Mount Jefferson ridge glowing at sunset with frosty foreground in White Mountains — Mount Jefferson stands majestic in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, bathed in warm sunset hues. The rugged granite ledges and frost-covered terrain highlight the serene beauty of the Presidential Range in late autumn, captured within White Mountain National Forest.

Mount Jefferson peak with light snow under clear blue sky in White Mountains — A serene late autumn afternoon captures Mount Jefferson’s rugged granite ledges dusted with early snow, set against a pale blue sky in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. The expansive view highlights the Presidential Range’s stark beauty within White Mountain National Forest.

Snow-Dusted Granite and Winter Ridges from Mount Jefferson poster — Mount Jefferson's rocky summit looks across reflective lowland water, layered ridges, and a steep snow-lined ravine.

Mountain Overview

Mount Jefferson is a 5,712-foot mountain in Coös County, New Hampshire. It is the third-highest peak in the state. Named after Thomas Jefferson (the third President of the United States), Mount Jefferson is part of the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. It is situated between Mount Adams to the northeast and Mount Clay to the south, and features steep, rocky slopes and alpine terrain characteristic of the northern Presidentials. Mount Jefferson, the third-highest peak in the state, is named for Thomas Jefferson, the third U.S. President. It received this name during the same 1820 naming event that christened Mount Adams and Mount Monroe. Mount Jefferson is distinguished by three dramatic glacial cirques on its slopes — Jefferson Ravine, Castle Ravine, and the Great Gulf — carved by Ice Age glaciers. Near its rocky summit is an alpine sedge meadow dubbed “Monticello Lawn,” a nod to Jefferson’s Virginia estate. Early hikers in the 19th century were awed by these unique features, and the mountain’s Caps Ridge Trail (whose trailhead is on the highest public road in NH) has been a popular direct route for over a century. Mount Jefferson stands between Mount Adams and Mount Clay, completing the northern trio of major Presidentials.

General Info

Elevation

5,712 ft

Prominence

742 ft

Range

Presidential Range

Trail Type

Out & back

Difficulty

Difficult

Exposure

High - fully exposed to wind and weather above treeline.

Typical Time

4–6 hours - via Caps Ridge.

Best seasons

Summer and fall - Jefferson Notch Road closed in winter.

Water availability

No reliable water on trail - carry all water.

Cell reception

Spotty - possible near summit; likely none on approach.

First Photo & Camera

Mountain

Mount Jefferson

Photo

Winter Veil on Mount Jefferson

Description

This landscape photograph captures Mount Jefferson in the heart of the White Mountains during a winter afternoon. The mountain's granite ledges and forest trails are lightly blanketed with snow, highlighting the rugged ridge line typical of the Presidential Range. The subdued light from the overcast sky emphasizes the quiet, serene mountain weather of this New Hampshire wilderness within White Mountain National Forest.

Dimensions

6000 x 4000

Credit

Static map preview

Mount Jefferson: summit area with linked trail context.

Summit: 44.3042, -71.3167

Trails: Caps Ridge Trail, Castle Trail, Six Husbands Trail, Gulfside Trail

NOAA / NWS Updated Sat, Aug 1, 6:16 AM EDT

59°F

Mostly Sunny Gorham, NH point forecast

Wind10 mph W

Gusts10 mph

Precip1%

Humidity80%

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.

Sat

63°F / 56°F

Partly Sunny then Slight Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Sun

64°F / 55°F

Areas Of Fog then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Mon

62°F / 52°F

Showers And Thunderstorms

Tue

60°F / 54°F

Chance Rain Showers

Wed

62°F / 56°F

Chance Rain Showers then Chance Showers And Thunderstorms

Forecast Snapshots

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

CadenceTime

Sat 10:00 AM

Mostly Sunny

Temp59°F

Wind10 mph W

Gusts10 mph

Precip1%

Humidity80%

NOAA hourly forecast period

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

USNOGenerated Sat, Aug 1, 4:31 AM EDT

Sunrise6:33 AM Daylight Length14h 37m Sunset9:10 PM

Sunrise

6:33 AM EDT

Sunset

9:10 PM EDT

Moonrise

10:32 PM EDT

Moonset

9:37 AM EDT

Moon phase

Waning Gibbous

91% illuminated

USNO astronomy is available for this summit.

MWOBS Higher Summits Forecast 48-hour twice-daily report

Climate context

Monthly climatology baseline near this summit elevation.

12-month profile

Drainage context only, not a crossing safety decision. 1 linked water reference; expand a row for sources and notes.

Route note: No reliable water on trail - carry all water.

Israel River USGS historical • 4.7 mi context • 2 proxy gages No Current Live Data

StationISRAEL RIVER AB S B ISRAEL R, NEAR JEFFERSON, NH • 01130500

USGS Historical

Northern Presidential and Jefferson side context for Caps Ridge, Appalachia, and Waumbek / Starr King planning.

Nearby live proxy: Peabody River at Gorham, New Hampshire • Androscoggin River near Gorham, NH

Official source

Treat rising, stale, modeled, or missing readings conservatively.

Mount Adams — 5774 ft • Presidential Range

Jefferson Notch - Caps Ridge Trail parking.

Trailhead parking

Small lot at Caps Ridge trailhead off Jefferson Notch Rd; road access seasonal

Trailhead

Jefferson Notch - Caps Ridge Trail parking.

Capacity

20 vehicles (est.)

Jefferson Notch Rd

Closed

District Andro • Last updated Nov 21, 2025

Trailheads: Caps Ridge Trailhead (Jefferson Notch Rd) • Jefferson Notch Road (Northern End)

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

Technical difficulty (1-10)

Physical effort (1-10)

Difficulty class

Difficult

Typical completion time

4–6 hours - via Caps Ridge.

Risk factors

Above treeline exposure, Severe weather, Limited water, Navigation, Scramble / steep, 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 - fully exposed to wind and weather above treeline.

Field planning note

Caps Ridge Trail - direct ascent. - 5.0 - 2,700 - Difficult - steep, with rock scrambles. - Out & back No reliable water on trail - carry all water. Small lot at Caps Ridge trailhead off Jefferson Notch Rd; road access seasonal

Water availability

No reliable water on trail - carry all water.

Cell reception

Spotty - possible near summit; likely none on approach.

Best seasons

Summer and fall - Jefferson Notch Road closed in winter.

Terrain

Rocky trail with large boulders; ‘Caps’ are open rock ledges requiring hands

Scramble sections

Yes - class 2–3 scrambles on Caps Ridge route.

View type

360° above treeline - extensive alpine views.

Summit marker

Rock cairn - summit is a jumble of rocks, no sign.

Flora / environment

Conifer forest at base; krummholz then open alpine zone above ~4,000 ft

Nearby 4,000-footer connections

Mount Adams, Mount Clay - nearby sub-peak.

Mount Jefferson Route & Conditions

Route

Mount Jefferson's standard hiking options include Caps Ridge Trail - direct ascent at 5 miles with 2,700 feet of gain and Castle Trail - longer approach at 10 miles with 4,200 feet of gain. A typical completion time is 4–6 hours - via Caps Ridge.

Terrain and exposure

This is a difficult Presidential Range hike. Expect rocky trail with large boulders; ‘Caps’ are open rock ledges requiring hands. Scrambling includes class 2–3 scrambles on Caps Ridge route. Upper-mountain terrain includes conifer forest at base; krummholz then open alpine zone above ~4,000 ft and 360° above treeline, extensive alpine views. Weather and exposure are defining planning concerns here: high, fully exposed to wind and weather above treeline.

Weather window

The best normal hiking window is summer and fall, roughly Jefferson Notch Road closed in winter. Check a summit forecast and carry windproof/warm layers; turn back if visibility or lightning risk increases.

Water, signal, and bailout

Water is no reliable water on trail - carry all water. Cell reception is spotty, possible near summit; likely none on approach. Bailout options include Descending Castle Trail to The Link, toward tree cover. if needed. Nearby live water context is available from Israel River.

Trailhead and access

The most common trailhead is Appalachia Trailhead, with room for about 20 vehicles. Small lot at Caps Ridge trailhead off Jefferson Notch Rd; road access seasonal. Other linked starts include Caps Ridge Trailhead (Jefferson Notch Rd), Lowe's Store Trailhead, Jefferson Notch Road (Northern End), and Israel Ridge Path Trailhead. Seasonal access-road context includes Jefferson Notch Rd.

Connected route context

Major linked trails include Caps Ridge Trail, Castle Trail, Six Husbands Trail, Gulfside Trail, and Jefferson Loop Trail. Nearby 4,000-footer connections include Mount Adams.

Mount Jefferson

Area Map

Trails

Current Summit Weather

5-Day Forecast

Forecast Snapshots

Astronomy

Day/Night

Monthly Weather Averages

Water & Crossing Context

Nearby Peaks & Connections

Parking & Access

Access roads & trailheads

Jefferson Notch Rd

Difficulty Metrics

Risk & Preparation

Wilderness Safety

Trail & Terrain

Conditions & Access

Mount Jefferson Route & Conditions