Mount Jackson and Mount Webster via Webster Jackson Trail
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Mount Jackson and Mount Webster Hike Overview
Mount Jackson (4,052’) and Mount Webster (3,911’) sit in Crawford Notch just south of the Presidentials in the White Mountains. Mount Jackson offers breathtaking views looking north towards Mount Washington, and Mount Webster has views looking west over the surrounding mountains. Mount Jackson is on the 4,000-Footer List, and Mount Webster is on the 52 With a View List, so if you hike this loop, you can check a summit off each of the lists.
Trail Details
Trail: Webster-Jackson Trail
Length: 6.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2,400 feet
My Trail Time: 3.5 hours hiking; 4 hours total
Hike Overview
The Webster-Jackson Trail can be hiked as a loop to summit Mount Jackson and Mount Webster or as an out-and-back to either summit. Although you can hike these separately, I recommend hiking them together because the loop is stunning!
The trail gains 2,400 feet of elevation in 2.5 miles, and the steepest sections are right before the summit of Mount Jackson, where you have some fun rock scrambling. The trail also has two views at the beginning - Elephant Head and Bugle Cliff - both give you beautiful views of Crawford Notch and are nice additions to the loop.
Mount Jackson and Mount Webster Hike via Webster-Jackson Trail Guide
June 2, 2024
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.
I began my journey to Mount Jackson and Mount Webster at 8:00 AM on a beautiful 80-degree Sunday in June. I have hiked Mount Jackson a few times but never made my way over to Mount Webster, so I was excited to finally complete the loop and check another summit of the 52 With a View List.
For the first 1.2 miles of the Webster-Jackson Trail, the trail alternated from strenuous to moderate. There were many steep sections but flatter sections in between, which was a nice change of pace. The trail also had small brook crossings, but they were easy to cross even after a lot of rain.
I soon came to an intersection where I could follow the trail left to Mount Jackson or right to Mount Webster. I decided to hike the Webster-Jackson Loop clockwise to climb to the steepest point first. Both sections ascending to Mount Jackson are very steep, so I knew I could not avoid ascending or descending a steep section if I went the other way.
For the remaining 1.4 miles to Mount Jackson’s summit, the trail was STEEP. It was a constant uphill battle with only a few brief flat sections. I flew up the first half of the trail but slowed down during the second half because it became steeper as I climbed. Hiking amnesia is real because although I have hiked to Mount Jackson several times, I could not remember most of the trail, haha.
The last section of the Webster-Jackson Trail had rock scrambles as I approached the summit of Mount Jackson. These were typical New Hampshire rock scrambles where I needed my hands to help me up, but they were fun! Once I got to the rock scrambles above the treeline, I finally got some beautiful views. The day was stunning and sunny without clouds, so I could not wait until I reached Mount Jackson!
Once I reached the summit, I got beautiful views of the White Mountains. I walked through a path between a patch of trees to get to the other side of the summit and had views looking east to Mount Pierce, Mount Eisenhower, and Mount Washington. Because it was a clear day, the views were stunning! I had the entire summit to myself, and I was shocked since it was such a beautiful day.
I stayed at the summit for almost a half-hour, enjoying the views and eating a snack. The bugs, luckily, were not too bad on the summit, but the longer I stayed up there, the more that found me. Once I started getting bit, I decided to begin my journey to Mount Webster.
I went back to the sign near the summit of Mount Jackson and took a left to follow the Webster-Jackson Trail to Mount Webster. The sign did not have an arrow pointing toward the trail, so if you are facing the views with the sign to your right, you want to turn left. The path was easy to see once I found it.
The descent off of Mount Jackson was as steep as the ascent. I was crab walking my way down most of the rock scrambles because they were very steep. I would not want to hike this trail after it rained.
Once the rock scrambles ended, the trail was flat as it traveled through a beautiful forest with moss. It was stunning, and I could see some views through the trees. I flew through this section of the trail because it was flat, and before I knew it, I reached the Webster-Jackson Trail junction.
Once at the trail junction, I continued straight for the final 0.1-mile ascent to Mount Webster. The summit does not have a sign, but I saw a few trails leading to viewpoints, so I knew I made it. Mount Webster had beautiful views overlooking the White Mountains, and I could see the Presidentials to the north.
The black flies were so bad on Mount Webster, and I was getting bit a lot. I took some photos before quickly heading back into the treeline to begin the descent and run away from the bugs. I followed the trail back to the Webster-Jackson Trail junction and took a left to begin my descent on the loop. The first mile on the descent was steep, rocky, and wet. It made it a bit precarious, and I was moving slowly because of the slick rock.
Once I was near the loop junction, the trail descended steeply towards a beautiful waterfall. It was so unexpected, but it was a nice reward after that steep descent. I took a moment to enjoy the waterfall before beginning the steep ascent toward the loop junction.
Once I made it to the Webster-Jackson Loop junction, I turned left to continue to the parking lot. I flew down the rest of the trail, passing many hikers just beginning their ascent. This section of the Webster-Jackson Trail was still wet and muddy, but it did not affect my descent too much. Before I knew it, I was back in Crawford Notch at the parking lot.
The hike to Mount Jackson and Mount Webster was challenging but not overly tiring. The Webster-Jackson Trail was not super long, which helped me mentally when hiking the steep sections. I was happy to have finally completed the loop and hiked Mount Webster. I recommend hiking the loop because it does not add too much mileage or elevation gain versus hiking to each one as an out-and-back.
Have you hiked the Webster-Jackson Trail to Mount Jackson and Mount Webster?
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!