The Presidential Traverse

One of many popular routes, this version of the presidential traverse begins at the Appalachian Trailhead at the AMC Highland Center. Take either Randolph Path, Air Line, or Valley Way trails to the AMC Madison Springs Hut. Summit Mount Madison (out and back up very rocky, scrambly trail). From the hut, follow the Gulfside Trail along the ridgeline to the summit of Mount Washington (taking the Air Line Trail to summit Mount Adams, the Mt Jefferson Loop to summit Mount Jefferson, and if desired the Mt Clay Loop to summit Mount Clay along the way ). From the summit of Mount Washington, follow the Crawford Path along the ridgeline down to Lake of Clouds Hut and continue along Crawford Path to just under Mount Pierce (summiting Mount Monroe with the Mt Monroe Loop and Mount Eisenhower with the Mt Eisenhower Loop). The Mount Pierce Summit, which is very close to Crawford Path, is an easy summit to hit even if you're doing the minimal traverse (though it is not officially part of the traverse). Minimal Traverse: Continue down the Crawford Path to either the AMC Highland Center (left at fork 0.2 miles from road toward Route 302) or the Crawford Path Trailhead (right at fork) on Mount Clinton Road. Pass Gibbs Falls on the right as you descend.Full Traverse: Continue over Mount Pierce to the summit of Mount Jackson on the Webster Cliff Trail, then take a right onto Webster-Jackson Trail to exit onto Route 302. You'll be on the Saco Lake Trail for the last 0.3 miles.Alternative: You can also take Star Lake Trail from Mount Madison to Mount Adams; this is a more difficult trail. Tuckerman Ravine Trail also descends Mount Washington, but is much more difficult than Crawford Path and is out of the way toward Lake of Clouds and Mount Monroe.

Mount Jackson is technically not named for President Jackson, but for NH state geologist Charles Thomas Jackson. Because of this, many people do not include it in the definition of a Presidential Traverse.Mt Clay, named after 19th century senator Henry Clay, was renamed Mt Reagan by the NH state legislature in 2003. However, the US Board on Geographic Names voted not to change the name in 2010, so it remains Mt Clay on most maps. Because of the name change, some suggest it should be included in a Presidential Traverse, but most do not require summiting Mt Clay/Reagan as part of the hike.