New Hampshire 3-Day Presidential Traverse Guide
Gorham Start
Park at Appalachia, take the AMC shuttle, or Trail Angels Hiker Service. Bus from Boston.
Gorham Services
Food
Big Day Brewing is all you need. If you insist on knowing more, fine, figure it out.
Lodging
The Barn has served hikers for a long, long time. They also have The Libby House Inn if you’re not looking for a hostel but want to support them.
Valley Way
3.8 mi - ↑ 4052’ - ↓ 0’
Start at the western side of Appalachia and follow signs for Valley Way. This trail is slightly easier than Airline and stays in the trees until almost the door of the Madison Hut. About the most pleasant 4,000’ climb in under 4 miles I’ve ever done, but that’s still steep. A better choice in bad weather. This part of the route ends at the summit of Mount Madison.
Northern Presidentials
Airline
3.6 mi - ↑ 4087’ - ↓ 35’
Start at the western side of Appalachia and quickly veer right onto Airline. This is the money route but is more exposed and a little harder than Valley Way. It’s a beautiful climb up a long ridge, and one of my favorite trails in the Whites. This part of the route ends at the summit of Mount Madison.
Main Traverse
11.2 mi - ↑ 4155’ - ↓ 5199’
From the summit of Madison, descend back to the hut and follow the Gulfside Trail. 0.3 mi after the hut, ascend Airline to the Adams summit. Lowe’s Path drops back to Gulfside and the traverse follows it until 0.2 mi after Edmands Col. Here, locate the Jefferson Loop and climb to the summit. Continue on the Jefferson Loop over the summit and down to join Gulfside again. Drop to Sphinx Col, then climb to the Mount Washington summit. The trail off the summit to Crawford path continues north for a short distance on the drop to Lakes of the Clouds Hut. Take the Monroe Loop over that summit and rejoin Crawford Path until the Eisenhower Loop. Climb over that summit and join Crawford Path again until the Mount Pierce summit.
Mount Pierce
Mizpah Cutoff
3.1 mi - ↑ 57’ - ↓ 2485’
Descend the Webster Cliff Trail from the summit of Mount Pierce. The split to Mizpah Hut and Nauman Tentsite is a steep 0.7 mi down. Take Mizpah Cutoff to Crawford Path and follow the Crawford Connector to the overnight parking lot if needed.
August Weather
Crawford Path
0.2 mi - ↑ 0’ - ↓ 170’
Direct finish to Highland Center. Continue on Crawford Path to Route 302. Food, lodging, and gear are for sale there.
Day 1 Overnight Options
Madison Spring Hut - Expensive, but they feed you and give you a bed. On route. Booking info.
The Perch - Randolph Mountain Club operates a shelter and tentsites near Mount Jefferson. About a mile off route via Randolph Path. RMC info. $15.
Valley Way - 5 tent spots on spur 3.1 miles from Appalachia on Valley Way. Free. No water.
Day 2 Overnight Options
Mizpah Springs Hut - Expensive, but food and bed. On route. Booking info.
Nauman Tentsite - Located next to Mizpah Hut. $15 per night during caretaker season.
Madison and Adams in the fall
