Jackson-Pierce Loop

Trip Summary

Mt Jackson elevation: 4,052 ft

Views: Excellent; 360 degrees

Mt Pierce elevation: 4,310 ft

Views: Very Good

Total distance: 8.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate with some strenuous sections

Total estimated time: 8-10 hours

I recommend parking your car at the AMC Highland Center, but there is ample free parking along the road to serve the many trails. The Mt Clinton Road parking lot requires a permit or $5 day use fee.

Mount Jackson

From the Highland Center follow Rt. 302 around Saco Lake to the Webster-Jackson Trail trailhead. Only 0.1 miles up the trail you will find a turnoff to the right for Elephant's Head. This is a short, optional detour to a nice viewpoint overlooking Crawford Notch. The trail is an easy 0.2 mi each way (about 15 min roundtrip). Just check out the view then go back the way you came.

Elephant's Head outcropping over Rt. 302

Elephant's Head trail

View from Elephant's Head

Crawford's Notch from Elephant's Head

Continuing up the Webster-Jackson Trail you will hit a steep rock face and the trail takes a sharp right and traverses along the side of the mountain at a gradual incline. After another 0.3 mi you will see a sign for Bugle Cliff. This is literally right off the trail, just climb up and over a large boulder, for another nice view overlooking Crawford Notch.

View from Bugle Cliff

Continuing up the Webster-Jackson Trail, in another quarter mile (0.25 mi) you will cross over a decent sized brook.

After another half mile (0.5 mi) you will come to a deep ravine and the trail split. The Webster Branch will split off downhill to the right toward Mt Webster, and the Jackson Branch heads uphill to the left toward Mt Jackson. At this point you are at about 2,800 ft elevation.

Continue for another 1.2 mi to the peak of Mt Jackson. This trail can be fairly soggy with some plank walkways and stairs, many small brook crossings and even hiking up the brooks at times, so I wouldn't recommend this hike in the spring. Near the top are some rock climbing sections.

As the trees get shorter you'll start to see some views behind you through the trees, but press on. Views are better at the top. Eventually you'll break through the trees to a short rock scramble up to the summit marked by the trail sign. There are patches of small evergreens, but little trails go out in every direction for excellent views. Here you'll also find the legendary grey jays that will eat food out of your hand (though I cannot condone feeding wild animals!).

Views from the south to west to northwest (click to enlarge)

Views to the north and east (click to enlarge)

Mount Pierce
For the traverse over to Mt Pierce, head out to the northeastern viewpoint (facing Mt Washington) and follow the white rectangles painted on the rocks heading off to your left. This will take you along the fairly easy Webster Cliff Trail (which is also a segment of the Appalacian Trail). There are a few open areas where you walk on planks across some swampy ground.

After 1.6 mi, the Mizpah Cutoff Trail will come in from the left.

Continue to the right for 0.1 mi to the Mizpah Spring Hut where you can buy drinks or snacks, use the restrooms, and refill your water. There are also 60 bunkbeds to accommodate overnight guests. Advanced reservations are necessary and include full dinner and breakfast. This hut is only open from May through mid-October (click here for official opening-closing dates).

The trail continuing up Mt Pierce is right outside the front door of the hut. The first 0.3 mi is a steep ascent straight up the mountain. Occasionally you get manmade help with planks and ladders. This is the most difficult section of the entire hike, only because of the steepness.

This steep section ends off at a bald rock area which gives you your last views out to the south and over to Mt Jackson (views from the summit are only to the north).

Views to the east and south (click to enlarge)

The last half mile to the summit is a simple, easy ridge walk. You will eventually round a corner in the trees to see an enormous cairn marking the summit. There is also an official geological survey marker next to the cairn.

There are some views of the tall Presidential Range over the trees, but continue out to the bald, flat section to the north for great 180 degree views.

View of the Presidentials from the summit

Views to the north and east from the overlook (click to enlarge)

To descend, continue down the Webster Cliff Trail down the mountain. It is a steep drop, but only 0.1 mi down to the Crawford Path. At the intersection take a left.

This is a relatively easy trail with a gradual decline. After 1.2 miles the Mizpah Cutoff Trail will merge in from the left, but continue straight on the Crawford Path.

This trail parallels the Gibbs Brook as you descend. After 1.4 miles you will see a sign for the lovely Gibbs Falls just off the trail to your right.

From there it's an easy half mile down to Rt. 302 and the Highland Center. (Note: The trail to the right where a bridge crosses over Gibbs Brook leads over to the Mt Clinton Road parking lot.)

Official Trail Map: (click to enlarge)