How difficult is hiking Mount Pierce?

Mount Pierce is rated as Moderate difficulty.

How long does it take to hike Mount Pierce?

Typically, hiking Mount Pierce takes 4–5 hours - via Crawford Path round-trip..

Mount Pierce

Q: What are the main hiking routes to Mount Pierce?

The main routes to Mount Pierce include: Crawford Path - Appalachian Trail. – direct, Webster Cliff Trail - from Highland Center via Mizpah Hut..

Mount Pierce is a 4,310-foot mountain in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, located in Coös County, New Hampshire.

Prominence: 235 ft Range: Presidential Range

Elevation: 4,310 ft

Wooden boardwalk over marsh with Mount Pierce in background under clear blue sky — Wooden Boardwalk over Marsh with in Background under Clear Blue Sky

Mountain Overview

Mount Pierce is a 4,310-foot mountain in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains, located in Coös County, New Hampshire. Formerly known as Mount Clinton, it was renamed to honor President Franklin Pierce (the only U.S. President from New Hampshire). Mount Pierce is one of the southern Presidentials and has a gentle, open summit with excellent views northward to Mount Washington and the higher Presidentials, as well as westerly views toward the Willey Range. The Appalachian Trail traverses its summit as part of the Crawford Path. Mount Pierce is part of the Presidential Range, formerly known as Mount Clinton. In the 19th century, this peak was named for DeWitt Clinton, a prominent New York politician and governor (1825–1828). However, in 1913 the name was officially changed to honor Franklin Pierce, the 14th President of the United States and the only U.S. President born in New Hampshire. The change was championed by local historians and the Appalachian Mountain Club, and it was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of Pierce’s birth. Mount Pierce’s history as Mount Clinton included the establishment of the Clinton-Gibbs Trail in the late 1800s (an early route up from Crawford Notch). The mountain’s gentle, open summit has long been a highlight for hikers traversing the Crawford Path, which crosses it. In fact, the Crawford Path – cut in 1819 by Abel and Ethan Crawford – is the oldest continuously maintained hiking trail in America and runs right over Pierce on its way to Mount Washington. Near the summit of Pierce, one can still find the foundation of the old Summit House (a small shelter built in the 1800s for guests traveling the Crawford Path, now gone). When the name changed to Pierce, a new sign was erected, and since then New Hampshire has proudly pointed out that one of its own presidents is represented on the Presidential Range. The views from Pierce, especially toward Mount Washington and Mount Eisenhower, have delighted visitors since the Crawford family used to guide tourists up here on horseback nearly two centuries ago.

General Info

Elevation

4,310 ft

Prominence

235 ft

Range

Presidential Range

Trail Type

Out & back or loop

Difficulty

Moderate

Exposure

Medium - summit area partially exposed; can experience strong winds from north.

Typical Time

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

Best seasons

Year-round - popular easy winter 4k; best views on clear summer/fall days.

Water availability

Yes - Gibbs Brook near start; seasonal small streams partway up Crawford Path; reliable water at Mizpah Spring Hut on Webster Cliff route.

Cell reception

Spotty - possible signal at summit outlook; generally weak in notch.

First Photo & Camera

Mountain

Mount Pierce

Photo

Wooden Boardwalk over Marsh with in Background under Clear Blue Sky

Description

This landscape photography captures the tranquil beauty of Mount Pierce in the White Mountains of New Hampshire during early fall. The late afternoon sun bathes the marsh grasses and evergreen trees in a soft golden light, highlighting the rugged ridge line of the Presidential Range. The wooden boardwalk trail invites exploration through the alpine zone, contrasting the earthy tones of the marsh with the deep greens of the forest. A perfect moment showcasing the natural diversity of White Mountain National Forest.

Dimensions

8688 x 5792

Credit

Static map preview

Mount Pierce: summit area with linked trail context.

Summit: 44.2269, -71.3653

Trails: Crawford Path, Webster Cliff Trail, Crawford Path - Appalachian Trail. - direct, Webster Cliff Trail - from Highland Center via Mizpah Hut.

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MWOBS Higher Summits Forecast 48-hour twice-daily report

Climate context

Monthly climatology baseline near this summit elevation.

12-month profile

Multi-source water data near routes, trailheads, and drainages associated with this peak. These readings and support layers provide runoff and crossing context, not a safe/unsafe crossing decision.

Route water note: Yes - Gibbs Brook near start; seasonal small streams partway up Crawford Path; reliable water at Mizpah Spring Hut on Webster Cliff route.

Ammonoosuc River @ Bretton WOODS,

AMMONOOSUC R @ BRETTON WOODS, NR TWIN MOUNTAIN, NH

No Current Core Data

USGS Historical

Ammonoosuc west-side context for the Presidential Range, Crawford Notch, and Bretton Woods approaches.

4.6 mi context

Nearby live proxy: AMMONOOSUC RIVER AT BETHLEHEM JUNCTION, NH • SACO RIVER AT RIVER STREET, AT BARTLETT, NH

Official source

Observed gages, forecasts, and modeled support context provide drainage context only. They do not determine whether a specific crossing is safe. Treat rising, stale, modeled, or missing readings conservatively.

Mount Eisenhower — 4760 ft • Presidential Range
Mount Jackson — 4052 ft • Presidential Range

Crawford Path trailhead - AMC Highland Center, Route 302.

Trailhead parking

Large parking area at Highland Center or along Mt Clinton Road; very accessible

Trailhead

Crawford Path trailhead - AMC Highland Center, Route 302.

Capacity

60 vehicles (est.)

Last verified

2026-02-14

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 Crawford Path round-trip.

Risk factors

Above treeline exposure, Navigation, Unbridged river crossings, No cell service

Preparation notes

Check a summit forecast and carry windproof/warm layers; turn back if visibility or lightning risk increases. Download offline maps and do not rely on cell service; leave a plan with someone.

Bailout distance

0 mi

Weather exposure

Medium - summit area partially exposed; can experience strong winds from north.

Field planning note

Crawford Path - Appalachian Trail. – direct - 6.4 - 2,400 - Moderate - Out & back Yes - Gibbs Brook near start; seasonal small streams partway up Crawford Path; reliable water at Mizpah Spring Hut on Webster Cliff route. Large parking area at Highland Center or along Mt Clinton Road; very accessible

Water availability

Yes - Gibbs Brook near start; seasonal small streams partway up Crawford Path; reliable water at Mizpah Spring Hut on Webster Cliff route.

Cell reception

Spotty - possible signal at summit outlook; generally weak in notch.

Best seasons

Year-round - popular easy winter 4k; best views on clear summer/fall days.

Terrain

Well-maintained historic path with moderate grades; rocky but relatively even footing by White Mtn standards

Scramble sections

No - smooth ascent, occasional rock steps but no scrambling.

View type

Partial - good view north to Washington from open ledge near summit; summit has some trees.

Summit marker

Wooden signpost at trail junction on summit - summit cairn nearby.

Flora / environment

Deciduous and birch at base - Crawford Notch.; transitions to dense spruce-fir; small subalpine zone at summit with stunted fir and open rock

Nearby 4,000-footer connections

Mount Eisenhower, Mount Jackson

Mount Pierce Route & Conditions

Route

Mount Pierce's standard hiking options include Crawford Path - Appalachian Trail. – direct at 6.4 miles with 2,400 feet of gain and Webster Cliff Trail - from Highland Center via Mizpah Hut at 6.2 miles with 2,700 feet of gain. A typical completion time is 4–5 hours - via Crawford Path round-trip.

Terrain and exposure

This is a moderate Presidential Range hike. Expect well-maintained historic path with moderate grades; rocky but relatively even footing by White Mtn standards. There are no major scrambling sections; expect smooth ascent, occasional rock steps but no scrambling. Upper-mountain terrain includes deciduous and birch at base, Crawford Notch.; transitions to dense spruce-fir; small subalpine zone at summit with stunted fir and open rock and partial, good view north to Washington from open ledge near summit; summit has some trees. Weather and exposure are defining planning concerns here: medium, summit area partially exposed; can experience strong winds from north.

Weather window

The best normal hiking window is year-round, roughly popular easy winter 4k; best views on clear summer/fall days. Check a summit forecast and carry windproof/warm layers; turn back if visibility or lightning risk increases.

Water, signal, and bailout

Water is available: gibbs Brook near start; seasonal small streams partway up Crawford Path; reliable water at Mizpah Spring Hut on Webster Cliff route. Cell reception is spotty, possible signal at summit outlook; generally weak in notch. Bailout options include Amc Mizpah Hut shelter and supplies. south of summit and easiest exit via Crawford Path back to trailhead, gradual and sheltered. Nearby live water context is available from Ammonoosuc River at Bretton Woods.

Trailhead and access

The most common trailhead is Crawford Notch / Highland Center (Amc), with room for about 60 vehicles. Large parking area at Highland Center or along Mt Clinton Road; very accessible. Other linked starts include Dry River Trailhead (Crawford Notch SP) and Clinton Road Trailhead. Seasonal access-road context includes Mt Clinton Rd.

Connected route context

Major linked trails include Crawford Path and Webster Cliff Trail. Nearby 4,000-footer connections include Mount Eisenhower and Mount Jackson.

Last Updated: 2026-02-14

Mount Pierce

Area Map

Trails

Current Summit Weather

Astronomy

Monthly Weather Averages

Water & Crossing Context

Ammonoosuc River @ Bretton WOODS,

Nearby Peaks & Connections

Parking & Access

Access roads & trailheads

Mt Clinton Rd

Difficulty Metrics

Risk & Preparation

Wilderness Safety

Trail & Terrain

Conditions & Access

Mount Pierce Route & Conditions