How difficult is the Presidential Traverse?
Get to know this 32.8-km point-to-point trail near Randolph, New Hampshire. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 14 h 19 min to complete. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and hiking, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring.
Where do you park for Presidential Traverse?
Logistics: Permits, Camping, Water Permits: None needed to hike the Presidential Traverse. A parking permit is needed to park on Mount Clinton Road, and is available from the White Mountain National Forest and private vendors.
Where can I sleep on Presidential Traverse?
Major Landmarks, Campsites, and Huts.
How many peaks are in the Presidential Traverse?
seven
It comprises thirteen mountains, nine of which are over 4,000 feet in elevation, and seven of which are named after U.S. Presidents. One of the most challenging hikes in the White Mountains is the Presidential Traverse.
How long does it take to hike Presidential Traverse?
A hiker completing a Presidential Traverse will have summited seven of New Hampshire’s highest and hairiest peaks (or more, depending on one’s definition of the route), covering from 19–23 miles in the process. It is typically completed in two or three days.
Where is the water on a Presidential Traverse?
Water is readily available. If doing a N->S traverse, fill up at the Madison hut, then again on Washington and finally at Lakes hut.
How many miles is Presidential Traverse?
Covering nearly 20 miles of sometimes grueling, often beautiful terrain, it takes hikers over the Presidential Range, crossing seven 4,000-foot peaks, all named after U.S. presidents: Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce.
What do you need to do a Presidential Traverse?
There are many possible trails you can hike to complete a Presidential Traverse. At a minimum, you need to climb Mounts Madison, Adams, Jefferson, Washington, Monroe, Eisenhower, and Pierce, although some people summit additional peaks too. There are also many different combinations of trails you can hike to climb these mountains.
How long does it take to hike the Presidential Traverse?
If you can maintain a “book time” pace, it will take you 14 hours to hike a 19.55 mile Presidential Traverse with 8300 feet of elevation gain, as shown in the table below.
Does the Presidential Traverse include the summit of clay?
There’s been a defined route for the Presidential Traverse for decades and it involves summiting Clay. The point is not to summit every President’s peak, but to follow the Presidential Ridge. And the ridge definitely includes the summit of Clay.
Is it possible to do a range traverse without tagging summits?
While many hikers have claimed that doing the traverse without tagging the summits is valid, this seems counter to the definition of a range traverse. The minimum traverse, from Madison to Pierce, is 18+ miles, according to recent GPS tracks from some of the FKT runs.