Nelson Crag Trail
To Mount Washington · New Hampshire
Nelson Crag Trail is a trail in the Presidential Range, climbing about 3,650 ft from Madison Gulf/Old Jackson Road Trailhead to Mount Washington. Part of it is above treeline.
Map length
3.0 mi
Climb from the low end
3,666 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
3 h 19 min / 1 h 31 min
High point
6,261 ft
Above treeline
2.0 mi
Steepest ¼ mile
2,365 ft/mi
Stream crossings
0
Low point
2,638 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer. The mapped trail stops just short of the summit of Mount Washington; these figures end there.
Nelson Crag Trail Above treeline
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Madison Gulf/Old Jackson Road Trailhead (the lower end) to Mount Washington.
- 0.0Madison Gulf/Old Jackson Road Trailhead
- 1.0Leaves the trees: exposed above treeline
- 1.9Nelson Crag
- 2.0Junction with Alpine Garden Trail
- 2.1Agiocochook Crag
- 2.3Junction with Huntington Ravine Trail
- 2.7Ball Crag
- 3.0Junction with Crawford Path, Gulfside Trail and Trinity Heights Connector
- 3.0Mount Washington
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Nelson Crag
1.87 mi (total 1.87) · ↑2,958 ↓0 ft · 2 h 25 min / 56 min
To Agiocochook Crag
0.26 mi (total 2.13) · ↑114 ↓31 ft · 11 min / 9 min
To Huntington Ravine Trail junction
0.18 mi (total 2.31) · ↑27 ↓11 ft · 6 min / 6 min
To Ball Crag
0.37 mi (total 2.68) · ↑377 ↓3 ft · 22 min / 11 min
To Mount Washington
0.30 mi (total 2.98) · ↑177 ↓7 ft · 14 min / 9 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison Gulf/Old Jackson Road Trailhead | Nelson Crag | 1.87 | 1.87 | 2,958 / 0 ft | 2 h 25 min / 56 min |
| Nelson Crag | Agiocochook Crag | 0.26 | 2.13 | 114 / 31 ft | 11 min / 9 min |
| Agiocochook Crag | Huntington Ravine Trail junction | 0.18 | 2.31 | 27 / 11 ft | 6 min / 6 min |
| Huntington Ravine Trail junction | Ball Crag | 0.37 | 2.68 | 377 / 3 ft | 22 min / 11 min |
| Ball Crag | Mount Washington | 0.30 | 2.98 | 177 / 7 ft | 14 min / 9 min |
↑ walking from Madison Gulf/Old Jackson Road Trailhead; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Madison Gulf/Old Jackson Road Trailhead
0.1 mi walk to the start of the trail
Off Mount Washington Auto Road
Weekdays (all seasons): Had space in the one report.
Latest report, Mon, Apr 27: Plenty of room.
All parking reports for Madison Gulf/Old Jackson Road Trailhead
Summit conditions
Today's conditions report1 incident recorded on this trail, 1 fatal: Mount Washington safety record
Recent trip reports
No reports on this trail in the last 30 days; the latest are below. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sun, Sep 6MudWetDryFull report on NETC
- 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
What to bring
From the summit forecast, Sat to MonPaid links. Backcountry.com pays me if you buy. Prices are Backcountry's, checked twice a day.
77 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 77 mph above treeline. Pick a sheltered route or another day.
28°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 28°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
11h 13m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 6:08 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
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.