Pierce and Eisenhower

The Pierce and Eisenhower is 7.8 miles point to point, starting at Crawford Path Trailhead. At AMC book time (half the distance in hours plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing), that works out to roughly 4-7 hours. Most parties take longer than book time on rough or above-treeline terrain, in winter, or with a heavy pack.

The Pierce and Eisenhower climbs about 3,078 ft over 7.8 miles, an average of roughly 397 ft of gain per mile. That figure is cumulative ascent across the whole point-to-point, not the difference between the trailhead and the high point.

HikerNerd rates the Pierce and Eisenhower Hard on a six-tier scale from Easy to Most demanding. The rating comes from the route itself: its 7.8 miles, 3,078 ft of gain, and the steepest quarter mile of trail, with routes known for scrambles or ledges rated a step harder. It is the same scale our NH 4,000-footer difficulty ranking uses. Above-treeline exposure, water crossings, and winter conditions can still make a well-rated route the hardest day of your year, so check current conditions before committing.

The Pierce and Eisenhower summits 2 named peaks: Mount Eisenhower, Mount Pierce (Clinton).

The Pierce and Eisenhower starts at Crawford Path Trailhead and finishes at Edmands Path Trailhead, so it needs a car spot or shuttle. Check the trail alerts on this page before you drive: trailhead access and parking in the White Mountains change with closures and construction.