Crawford Path, Historic hiking trail in White Mountains, New Hampshire.
Crawford Path is a hiking trail in New Hampshire's White Mountains that spans about 8.5 miles from Crawford Notch to Mount Washington's summit. The route climbs through dense forests and alpine zones, gaining roughly 4,900 feet in elevation as it ascends.
Ethan Allen Crawford and his father Abel established the trail in 1819, creating the oldest continuously maintained hiking path in the United States. This route has remained an important connection through the mountain range and has been regularly maintained since its inception.
The path links multiple peaks in the Presidential Range and serves as a connector between different sections of the mountain landscape. The Lakes of the Clouds hut along the route functions as a natural gathering point for hikers exploring this region.
The main parking area near Mount Clinton Road provides direct access to the trail and connections to multiple peak loop options. The path is accessible year-round, though conditions vary significantly depending on the season.
The trail passes through three distinct ecological zones, ranging from northern hardwood forests through spruce-fir stands to alpine tundra above the treeline. This succession of landscapes allows hikers to experience multiple ecosystems in a single day.
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