If you are interested in a long hike similar to the Presidential Traverse but are having problems figuring out the logistics of a ride from one end of the traverse to the other this is an option for you. Southern Presidential Loop is a long hike ~16.5 miles and can be done in a long day ~8-12 hours. It allows you to climb the mountains including the peaks South of Mount Washington in the Presidential range include Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, and Monroe and return back to your car at in Crawford Notch.
I did this when I did not want to deal with the logistics of a full Presidential traverse . It is a long hike but if you are looking to climb a few of the presidential in one day this is a good option and you have options to turn back earlier if necessary.
You will summit Jackson, Pierce, Eisenhower, and Monroe if you hike this route.
Southern Presidential Loop | ||||||||
Start Point | Trail | Elevation Start (ft) | Elevation End (ft) | Elevation Start (m) | Elevation End (m) | Distance Segment (miles) | Cumulative Distance (miles) | End Point |
Crawford Notch/Saco Lake | Webster Jackson Trail | 1903 | 2723 | 580 | 830 | 1.4 | 1.4 | Intersection Webster Br and Jackson Br trails |
Intersection Webster Br and Jackson Br trails | Jackson Br | 2723 | 4052 | 830 | 1235 | 1.2 | 2.6 | Summit Jackson |
Summit Jackson | Webster Cliff Trail | 4052 | 3740 | 1235 | 1140 | 1.7 | 4.3 | Mizpah Spring Hut |
Mizpah Spring Hut | Webster Cliff Trail | 3740 | 4311 | 1140 | 1314 | 0.9 | 5.2 | Summit Pierce |
Summit Pierce | Crawford Path Trail | 4311 | 4068 | 1314 | 1240 | 0.5 | 5.7 | Low Point between Pierce and Eisenhower |
Low Point between Pierce and Eisenhower | Crawford Path Trail | 4068 | 4780 | 1240 | 1457 | 0.7 | 6.4 | Summit Eisenhower |
Summit Eisenhower | Crawford Path Trail | 4780 | 4593 | 1457 | 1400 | 0.7 | 7.1 | Low Point between Eisenhower and Monroe |
Low Point between Eisenhower and Monroe | Crawford Path Trail | 4593 | 5371 | 1400 | 1637 | 2 | 9.1 | Summit Monroe |
Summit Monroe | Crawford Path Trail | 5371 | 1903 | 1637 | 580 | 8 | 17.1 | Route 302 Crawford Notch |