Great Gulf Trail
Near Washburn Point · New Hampshire
Great Gulf Trail is a trail in the Presidential Range, climbing about 3,700 ft from the Madison Gulf Trail junction to the Gulfside Trail junction. Part of it is above treeline.
Map length
3.9 mi
Climb from the low end
3,691 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
3 h 49 min / 1 h 58 min
High point
5,947 ft
Above treeline
0.5 mi
Steepest ¼ mile
3,477 ft/mi
Stream crossings
0
Low point
2,264 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.
Great Gulf Trail Above treeline
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Madison Gulf Trail junction (the lower end) to Gulfside Trail junction.
- 0.0Madison Gulf Trail junction
- 0.2Campsite
- 1.0Junction with Chandler Brook Trail
- 1.5Junction with Six Husbands Trail and Wamsutta Trail
- 1.7Campsite
- 2.5Junction with Sphinx Trail
- 3.2Spaulding Lake
- 3.4Leaves the trees: exposed above treeline
- 3.9Junction with Gulfside Trail
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Campsite (mile 0.2)
0.22 mi (total 0.22) · ↑134 ↓1 ft · 11 min / 7 min
To Chandler Brook Trail junction
0.75 mi (total 0.97) · ↑401 ↓11 ft · 35 min / 23 min
To Six Husbands Trail and Wamsutta Trail junction
0.56 mi (total 1.53) · ↑329 ↓0 ft · 26 min / 17 min
To Campsite (mile 1.7)
0.21 mi (total 1.74) · ↑83 ↓0 ft · 9 min / 7 min
To Sphinx Trail junction
0.71 mi (total 2.45) · ↑407 ↓0 ft · 34 min / 22 min
To Gulfside Trail junction
1.47 mi (total 3.92) · ↑2,316 ↓0 ft · 1 h 53 min / 44 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Gulf Trail junction | Campsite (mile 0.2) | 0.22 | 0.22 | 134 / 1 ft | 11 min / 7 min |
| Campsite (mile 0.2) | Chandler Brook Trail junction | 0.75 | 0.97 | 401 / 11 ft | 35 min / 23 min |
| Chandler Brook Trail junction | Six Husbands Trail and Wamsutta Trail junction | 0.56 | 1.53 | 329 / 0 ft | 26 min / 17 min |
| Six Husbands Trail and Wamsutta Trail junction | Campsite (mile 1.7) | 0.21 | 1.74 | 83 / 0 ft | 9 min / 7 min |
| Campsite (mile 1.7) | Sphinx Trail junction | 0.71 | 2.45 | 407 / 0 ft | 34 min / 22 min |
| Sphinx Trail junction | Gulfside Trail junction | 1.47 | 3.92 | 2,316 / 0 ft | 1 h 53 min / 44 min |
↑ walking from Madison Gulf Trail junction; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Recent trip reports
No reports on this trail in the last 30 days; the latest are below. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sat, Aug 15MudWetDry
Water crossings: All generally rock-hoppable. Note: Did not need to cross West Branch at closed suspension bridge.
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.