Webster Cliff Trail
To Mount Pierce (Clinton), Mount Jackson, Mount Webster · New Hampshire
Webster Cliff Trail is a trail in the Presidential Range, climbing about 3,850 ft from Webster Cliff Trailhead to Mount Pierce (Clinton).
Map length
6.3 mi
Climb from the low end
3,843 ft
Book time up / down (from map miles)
5 h 4 min / 3 h 34 min
High point
4,304 ft
Above treeline
None
Steepest ¼ mile
2,076 ft/mi
Stream crossings
1
Low point
1,270 ft
Measured on the map. The AMC guide and Forest Service figures usually run 5 to 15% longer. The mapped trail stops about 0.1 mi and 57 ft short of the summit of Mount Pierce (Clinton); these figures end there.
HikerNerd routes on this trail
Webster Cliff Trail
Mile by mile (map miles)
From Webster Cliff Trailhead (the lower end) to Mount Pierce (Clinton).
- 0.0Webster Cliff Trailhead
- 0.1Bridge over Saco River
- 0.2Junction with Saco River Trail
- 0.3Junction with Saco River Trail
- 2.2Webster cliffs
- 2.9Mount Webster
- 3.0Junction with Webster-Jackson Trail (Mount Webster Branch)
- 4.0Mount Jackson
- 5.4Junction with Mizpah Cutoff and Mount Clinton Trail
- 5.5Naumann Tentsite
- 5.5Mizpah Spring Hut
- 5.5Water source
- 6.2Mount Pierce (Clinton)
- 6.3Junction with Crawford Path
Distances and book times (map miles)
To Saco River Trail junction (mile 0.2)
0.17 mi (total 0.17) · ↑34 ↓6 ft · 6 min / 5 min
To Saco River Trail junction (mile 0.3)
0.12 mi (total 0.29) · ↑94 ↓0 ft · 7 min / 4 min
To Mount Webster
2.57 mi (total 2.86) · ↑2,515 ↓47 ft · 2 h 32 min / 1 h 19 min
To Webster-Jackson Trail (Mount Webster Branch) junction
0.11 mi (total 2.97) · ↑6 ↓59 ft · 4 min / 5 min
To Mount Jackson
1.07 mi (total 4.04) · ↑378 ↓177 ft · 43 min / 37 min
To Mizpah Spring Hut
1.44 mi (total 5.48) · ↑258 ↓498 ft · 51 min / 58 min
To Mount Pierce (Clinton)
0.79 mi (total 6.27) · ↑539 ↓80 ft · 40 min / 26 min
| From | To | Map miles | Total | Climb ↑ / ↓ | Time ↑ / ↓ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webster Cliff Trailhead | Saco River Trail junction (mile 0.2) | 0.17 | 0.17 | 34 / 6 ft | 6 min / 5 min |
| Saco River Trail junction (mile 0.2) | Saco River Trail junction (mile 0.3) | 0.12 | 0.29 | 94 / 0 ft | 7 min / 4 min |
| Saco River Trail junction (mile 0.3) | Mount Webster | 2.57 | 2.86 | 2,515 / 47 ft | 2 h 32 min / 1 h 19 min |
| Mount Webster | Webster-Jackson Trail (Mount Webster Branch) junction | 0.11 | 2.97 | 6 / 59 ft | 4 min / 5 min |
| Webster-Jackson Trail (Mount Webster Branch) junction | Mount Jackson | 1.07 | 4.04 | 378 / 177 ft | 43 min / 37 min |
| Mount Jackson | Mizpah Spring Hut | 1.44 | 5.48 | 258 / 498 ft | 51 min / 58 min |
| Mizpah Spring Hut | Mount Pierce (Clinton) | 0.79 | 6.27 | 539 / 80 ft | 40 min / 26 min |
↑ walking from Webster Cliff Trailhead; ↓ the other way. Book time: 2 mph over the map miles plus 30 minutes per 1,000 ft of climbing.
Trailheads and parking
Webster Cliff Trailhead
Off Crawford Notch Road
Summit conditions
Recent trip reports
4 reports on this trail in the last 30 days: snow or ice in 1, microspikes recommended in 0, mud in 4. From hikers on New England Trail Conditions.
- Sat, Oct 3MudWetLeavesDry
Water crossings: All rock hops
Full report on NETC - Sat, Oct 3MudWetDry
Water crossings: No issues
Full report on NETC - Wed, Sep 23IceMudDryFull report on NETC
- Sun, Sep 13MudWet
Water crossings: no issues
Full report on NETC - Mon, Sep 7MudWetDry
Water crossings: All easy ones today.
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.
60 mph
Summit gusts
Plan a below-treeline hike
Daytime gusts near 60 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. Distances are measured from the map and can differ from signs and guidebooks. Conditions change: check before you go.