Sphinx Trail

Near Mount Clay · New Hampshire

USFS trail #31454

Sphinx Trail is a trail in the Presidential Range, climbing about 1,350 ft from the Great Gulf Trail junction to the Gulfside Trail junction. Part of it is above treeline.

Map length

0.9 mi

Climb from the low end

1,351 ft

Book time up / down (from map miles)

1 h 7 min / 26 min

High point

4,975 ft

Above treeline

0.4 mi

Steepest ¼ mile

2,136 ft/mi

Stream crossings

0

Low point

3,621 ft

Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer.

Sphinx Trail Above treeline

Elevation profile Above treeline Steep (25%+)
3,500'4,500'5,500'0 mi0.9 mi

Mile by mile (map miles)

From Great Gulf Trail junction (the lower end) to Gulfside Trail junction.

  1. 0.0Great Gulf Trail junction
  2. 0.5Leaves the trees: exposed above treeline
  3. 0.7Water source
  4. 0.9Spinx Col
  5. 0.9Junction with Gulfside Trail

Connecting trails

Great Gulf TrailGulfside Trail

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.