Mount Pierce

Mt. Pierce was originally named Mt. Clinton after Gov. DeWitt Clinton of New York. In 1913 it was fittingly renamed after New Hampshire's own President Franklin Pierce.
One of the lower alpine summits of the Presidential Range. A clearing lies on the summit surrounded by krummholz and spruce.
Summit can be accessed from the west by the Crawford Path. The Appalachian Trail runs north-south over its summit
The AMC Mizpah Spring Hut lies 0.8 miles to the south.

Routes

Crawford Path (from Crawford Notch)

103 summits • 19.0 mi • 7,788 ft gain • 6 hr 26 min

Webster Cliff Trail (Appalachian Trail North)

35 summits • 6.9 mi • 488 ft gain • 4 hr 52 min

Presidential Traverse

11 summits • 25.2 mi • 8,924 ft gain • 11 hr 40 min

Crawford Path (South)

6 summits • 11.5 mi • 3,578 ft gain • 6 hr 45 min

Mount Pierce 9.0 mi route

2 summits • 9.0 mi • 3,243 ft gain • 6 hr 5 min

Mount Pierce 10.3 mi route

1 summit • 10.3 mi • 2,856 ft gain • 12 hr 9 min

Mount Pierce 10.5 mi route

1 summit • 10.5 mi • 3,329 ft gain • 7 hr 54 min

Mount Pierce 12.3 mi route

1 summit • 12.3 mi • 3,790 ft gain • 9 hr 23 min

Mount Pierce 23.3 mi route

1 summit • 23.3 mi • 8,222 ft gain • 22 hr 2 min

Mount Pierce 6.1 mi route

1 summit • 6.1 mi • 2,406 ft gain • 3 hr 38 min

Mount Pierce 6.5 mi route

1 summit • 6.5 mi • 2,368 ft gain • 4 hr 15 min

Mount Pierce 6.9 mi route

1 summit • 6.9 mi • 2,368 ft gain • 8 hr 16 min

Mount Pierce 9.7 mi route

1 summit • 9.7 mi • 3,249 ft gain • 6 hr 13 min

Mount Pierce 9.9 mi route

1 summit • 9.9 mi • 2,898 ft gain • 6 hr 44 min

Latest summits

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"We were hoping for a weather miracle that never came. Snowed all the way up, met with a powerful wind on the summit. About a hundred feet of visibility. Came down to Mizpah hut. A little clearing as we descended, not much." — Alohabuffy • Feb 14, 2023

"2 nd Mt after Eisenhower on a really hot day with Maryellen, Nancy, Tina, and Chris. Ridge walk down, over, and UP! Lots of people on the trail going the other way! Some snow along the way, but no need for spikes. Rock and dirt trail. Nothing too sketchy. " — lfrancois • May 21, 2022

"For Sarah's 48w finish. Our group of 6 headed up the Crawford Path and tagged Pierce. We then continued on and tagged Eisenhower for Sarah's finish. We then came back to Pierce. Molly wanted to get Jackson. So our group split in half with myself, Molly, and Sarah heading on to Jackson. We reached it, then slowly made our way down the Jackson Webster Tr. We then roadwalked back to the car. " — newenglandwarrior • Jan 16, 2022

"Cold day out there. 6 deg at the trailhead, 9 at the summit. Crazy fast blowing winds driving clouds across the space between Pierce and Washington. From clear, to wispy, to dense clouds and then clear again. Not enough snow still to wear snowshoes." — Alohabuffy • Jan 8, 2022

"A Pierce and Eisenhower hike. It was an icy day on the trails. There was some high cloud cover but it was higher then Washington. So I had views today. Hit Pierce and Eisenhower for my Grid. I gridded out both peaks." — newenglandwarrior • Dec 15, 2021

"A gain on my Grid and a Calendar Day challenge. Up the Crawford Path from the trailhead along the road (not Highland Ctr trailhead). Went up to Pierce first, then onwards to Eisenhower. An out and back hike. Beautiful clear day with some chilly winds. " — newenglandwarrior • Nov 5, 2021

"Pierce (27) & Eisenhower (28). Solo. To close out my annual trip I decided to do another two-fer, one that a friend of mine has been recommending since I started coming to the state to hike. I decided to start at the Crawford Connector Trailhead and do it as an out and back to avoid road walking. I got to the lot around 07:15, paid my $5 to the green box, with only about 10 cars in the lot and another solo guy gearing up. It was promising to be another really clear and pretty day. Car said it was 39° but I just went with long sleeves and left my fleece in my pack. My legs felt creaky and unwilling, particularly my left quad- I must’ve been favoring that leg without realizing it. Very tense. Knowing I’m faster (but more reckless) without my poles, I stowed them on my pack and got to it. This trail was just what I needed after a long week of hiking. Dirt and rocks and semi-stream bed hiking with gradual pushes followed by small flat areas to catch your breath before the next one. Every time I told myself I would take a break after the next push, I managed to reset a bit on the next flat area and keep moving. I made good time and was on the flat to the Mizpah Hut that I wa..." — kellieirene • Oct 8, 2021

"Took the Crawford Path up from the AMC Highland hotel. Started off wanting to add Webster after Pierce and Jackson , but the weather was absolutely unpredictable and started pouring while going up Jackson. Great problems to have in an amazing place. " — puddlepirate • Jul 27, 2021

"Katie Meyer, Molly, and I were getting together for a hike of Eisenhower and Pierce. We met at the Highland Center and headed up the Crawford Path. Along the way up, Molly suggested the idea of Jackson. We eventually reached Eisenhower. Nice day weather wise for it. We then headed over to Pierce and reached it. After that, we decided to head over to Jackson. This would give Molly a +1 for her Spring Grid. So we headed over and got it. On the way down, my microspike broke. So I attempted to head down without my spikes on. The snow was firmly packed and made everything slippery. I only took one fall, and lots of quick movement to maintain my balance. We reached the road just fine. A good day for a hike. " — newenglandwarrior • Mar 22, 2020

"Great winter hike. The trail was well broken out the whole way up. No snowshoes necessary. We got by just fine with spikes. The summit was pretty windy and we didn't linger too long. Took us about 2 hours 45 minutes to climb including stops. The descent was only 1 hour and 15 minutes." — fairhiker • Jan 5, 2020