An Overnight Trip to Mount Jackson

An Overnight Trip to Mount Jackson (4,052')

HIKE STATISTICS

Total Distance: 7.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,445 feet

Hiking Time: Two Days

Difficulty: Moderate

Trails Used: Webster-Jackson Trail → Webster-Jackson Trail (Mount Jackson Branch) → Mount Jackson → Webster Cliff Trail → Nauman Tentsite → Mizpah Cutoff → Crawford Path → Crawford Path Connector

Curious to learn more about hiking this peak using the “standard” route? Click here!

HIKE DATE: 09/19/2020 - 9/20/2020

Are you new to backpacking? Are you recovering from an injury and craving the mountains? Do you just need a chill night in the mountains? Then this is the trip for you! Mount Jackson has excellent views of the surrounding Presidentials and many other peaks from its ledgy summit. We did a nice loop hike over Mount Jackson and spent the night in the backcountry by staying at Nauman Tentsite.

For this loop hike, we opted to park our car at the Crawford Connector trailhead on Mount Clinton Road off of Route 302 in Crawford Notch near the AMC Highland Center (note there is a $5 per day fee). We then did a short route walk (0.6 miles and mostly downhill) along Route 302 to get to the Webster-Jackson Trailhead. Alternatively, you can park your car at Crawford Depot and do the short route walk at the end of your hike. We prefer to get the road walks over with at the start of the trip, which is why we went with the first option.

The trail starts on the eastern side of Route 302 and is marked with a sign that indicates the Webster-Jackson Trail. After entering the woods at the trail sign, you’ll come to a side path in 0.1 miles for Elephant Head. We didn’t go up here, but it is a rocky ledge that has some nice views of Crawford Notch. The main trail continues and is a bit interesting as the lower portion of it alternates between mostly flat sections and steep sections. In another 0.5 miles, there will be another side path that leads to Bugle Cliff, which we also didn’t visit this time. We have heard that there are supposed to be nice views from the ledges up there. The main trail continues to climb moderately on gradual grades, with some sections where minor descents are required. After another 0.8 miles from the junction with Bugle Cliff, you’ll reach the point where the trail divides - left for the Mount Jackson Branch and right for the Mount Webster Branch. To this point, you’ll have gained about 950 feet in elevation so far. Since Mount Jackson was our goal today, we went to the left. If you want to add on Mount Webster to this trip, take a right, head to the summit of Mount Webster, then head over to the summit of Mount Jackson.

The Mount Jackson Branch starts its ascent gradually before becoming more moderate as you approach the Silver Cascade Brook. At one point, a gray jay was following us so we decided to give it some trail mix and see if we could get it to land in our hands and on our heads (which we did successfully!). As you near the summit, the trail becomes steeper, climbing over a number of ledges. It is never too steep though, as it felt more like a steady grind higher. The ledges just below the summit will require some scrambling with your hands to get to the open summit of Mount Jackson. This section can be tricky if there are a lot of people on the trail. At the summit, we got crystal clear views north towards the Presidential’s and west towards Crawford Notch. It was very chilly and windy up here on this day, so we were very glad that we had our down jackets and hats/gloves with us. From the previous junction (where the trail splits) to the summit, the Mount Jackson Branch runs for 1.2 miles and gains 1,250 feet in elevation.

This is the trail sign to keep an eye out for on the east side of Route 302

Getting ready to head up one of the steeper sections of the trail

At this junction, you’ll want to head left to make your way towards Mount Jackson

Emily successfully got a gray jay to land on her hand!

And Adam was able to get one to land on his head!

Heading up the steep stab on the final push towards the summit

Looking southwest, you can see the Willey Range and several distant 4k’s

As you make the final scramble up the slab, you’ll see the Willey Range behind you

To the north are some of the Presidential peaks, with Washington stealing the show

After enjoying some snacks at the summit, it was time for us to head towards our camp for the night, Nauman Tentsite! Head north off of the summit of Mount Jackson by following the signs and cairns. The trail descends very steeply down the ledges of the summit before it levels off back in the woods. The trail now becomes very enjoyable, and there are a lot of sections of plank here (Emily’s favorite!). At one point, you’ll cross through a nice open meadow with views north and south. We then made a minor ascent and descent over a bump in the ridge before making a small ascent to the junction with the Mizpah Cutoff. Continue straight for 0.1 miles and you’ll come to the Mizpah Hut (which was closed during this time of year). Nauman Tentsite is right next to the hut, and when we arrived just after 3 PM, there were still open platforms available. We opted for one way in the back in the trees because it was a bit more private. We set up our tents and were ready to relax. We actually spent a lot of time hanging out in the grassy area by the hut because it was nice and sunny there and warmed us up on this cold day. We cooked our dinner here too, which consisted of Beef Stroganoff and Turkey Dinner Casserole - both of which were delicious! Temperatures ended up dipping into the low 30’s during the night, so we were very glad we had our zero degree sleeping bags with us which kept us nice and toasty!

The next morning, we were lazy and hung out at camp for a bit making breakfast and relaxing since we didn’t have too much hiking to do. We spent some time playing with gray jays again as they were trying to get our food! Once we finally packed up and hit the trail, we made our way back to the junction with the Mizpah Cutoff and took this trail to Crawford Path. If you’re feeling up for it, you can head to the summit of Mount Pierce from Nauman Tentsite, which is a short but steep climb away and then take Crawford Path from the summit all the way down. Because of Adam’s knee, we opted to just head right down. The Mizpah Cutoff descends at a very moderate grade for 0.7 miles (and loses 350 feet in elevation) before it connects with Crawford Path. Once on Crawford Path, it is a nice steady descent on good terrain for 1.5 miles. You’ll come to a junction with the Crawford Connector, where you’ll take a right and hike another 0.4 miles before getting to the parking lot where your car is waiting. From the junction with Mizpah Cutoff to the trailhead, you’ll drop 1,600 feet in elevation in 1.9 miles. This was a really enjoyable and relaxing backpacking trip with little sense of urgency due to the low mileage!

Getting ready to head down the steep ledges off Mount Jackson. Mizpah is visible in the distance!

Mizpah Spring Hut, which was closed during our trip here

Another gray jay harassing us during our breakfast

Caution is needed on some steep scrambles when making your way off the summit

Our set up for the night at Nauman! We took platform #2

Crawford Path is a nice steady descent the entire way back to the trailhead

Traversing through the open meadow on LOTS of plank bridges… Emily was so thrilled for this!

Ready to eat dinner… both of our meals were so yummy!

The bridge on Crawford Connector - now you know you’re close to the car!