Dry River Trail
Near North Isolation · New Hampshire
Dry River Trail is a trail in the Presidential Range, climbing about 4,250 ft from Dry River Trailhead to the Crawford Path junction. Part of it is above treeline.
Map length
8.7 mi
Climb from the low end
4,251 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
6 h 29 min / 4 h 35 min
High point
5,169 ft
Above treeline
0.7 mi
Steepest ¼ mile
1,778 ft/mi
Stream crossings
6 (5 fords)
Low point
1,195 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
Dry River Trail Above treeline
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Dry River Trailhead (the lower end) to Crawford Path junction.
- 0.0Dry River Trailhead
- 0.5Junction with Dry River Connection and Saco River Trail
- 1.6Bridge over Dry River
- 2.1Fords a stream
- 2.6Junction with Mount Clinton Trail
- 3.4Campsite
- 4.5Fords a stream
- 4.6Junction with Isolation Trail
- 4.8Junction with Mount Eisenhower Trail
- 5.0Dry River Falls
- 5.2Fords Dry River
- 5.6Fords a stream
- 5.8Fords a stream
- 7.9Leaves the trees: exposed above treeline
- 8.6Upper Lake of the Clouds
- 8.7Junction with Ammonoosuc Ravine Trail and Crawford Path
- 8.7Lakes of the Clouds Hut
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Dry River Connection and Saco River Trail junction
0.49 mi (total 0.49) · ↑96 ↓0 ft · 17 min / 15 min
To Mount Clinton Trail junction
2.14 mi (total 2.63) · ↑770 ↓163 ft · 1 h 28 min / 1 h 9 min
To Campsite
0.72 mi (total 3.35) · ↑265 ↓31 ft · 29 min / 23 min
To Isolation Trail junction
1.23 mi (total 4.58) · ↑483 ↓22 ft · 52 min / 38 min
To Mount Eisenhower Trail junction
0.23 mi (total 4.81) · ↑93 ↓0 ft · 10 min / 7 min
To Crawford Path junction
3.92 mi (total 8.73) · ↑2,532 ↓206 ft · 3 h 14 min / 2 h 4 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dry River Trailhead | Dry River Connection and Saco River Trail junction | 0.49 | 0.49 | 96 / 0 ft | 17 min / 15 min |
| Dry River Connection and Saco River Trail junction | Mount Clinton Trail junction | 2.14 | 2.63 | 770 / 163 ft | 1 h 28 min / 1 h 9 min |
| Mount Clinton Trail junction | Campsite | 0.72 | 3.35 | 265 / 31 ft | 29 min / 23 min |
| Campsite | Isolation Trail junction | 1.23 | 4.58 | 483 / 22 ft | 52 min / 38 min |
| Isolation Trail junction | Mount Eisenhower Trail junction | 0.23 | 4.81 | 93 / 0 ft | 10 min / 7 min |
| Mount Eisenhower Trail junction | Crawford Path junction | 3.92 | 8.73 | 2,532 / 206 ft | 3 h 14 min / 2 h 4 min |
↑ walking from Dry River Trailhead; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Dry River Trailhead
Off Crawford Notch Road
Weekends (all seasons): Had space in both reports.
Weekdays (all seasons): Had space in the one report.
Latest report, Wed, Aug 26: Plenty of room.
6 incidents recorded on this trail, 2 fatal: Mount Washington safety record
Recent trip reports
1 report on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 0, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 1. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sat, Oct 3MudWetLeavesDry
Water crossings: All rock hops
Full report on NETC - Wed, Aug 26MudWetDry
Water crossings: All crossings no issue at all. Dry River Crossing on Mount Eisenhower Trail rock hoppable
Full report on NETC - Sun, Aug 16MudWetDry
Water crossings: All hops
Full report on NETC
Connecting trails
Packing for fall? The fall gear guide has the full list.
Trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Elevation: USGS 3DEP. Above-treeline areas from canopy height by Meta and WRI (CC BY 4.0). Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.