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5,712 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Jefferson

Mount Jefferson is a 5,712 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the Caps Ridge Trail: 4 mi, 2,696 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Jefferson in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Jefferson at a glance

  • Elevation5,712 ft1,741 m
  • RouteCaps Ridge TrailClass 2
  • Distance4 mi2,696 ft gain
  • Time4 – 5 hrsModerate effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire

Climbing the Caps Ridge Trail

From Jefferson Notch Road, start at the Caps Ridge Trail, the highest trailhead in the Whites. The route is short but steep, with Class 2-3 scrambling over the rocky Caps before the open summit. Long stretches are above treeline in the Northern Presidentials, fully exposed to fast-moving weather and high wind. Rock gets slick when wet and footing is rough throughout. Start early, carry warm layers, and check the Mount Washington forecast. Often combined with Adams or Washington via the Gulfside Trail.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (15–25 L)
  • Water
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • GPS Device
  • Headlamp
  • Hiking Boots
  • Microspikes
  • Trekking Poles
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Insulated Jacket
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Warm Hat
  • Light Gloves
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Steep exposure
  • Extreme cold
  • Snow near summit
  • Ice near summit
  • High winds
  • Loose rock
  • Storms
  • Low visibility
  • Rapid weather shifts
  • Cold summit conditions

Mount Jefferson on Yak

Climbers have shared 9 climbs of Mount Jefferson on Yak. Read their trip reports and recent conditions in the app

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Quests with Mount Jefferson

Peaks near Mount Jefferson

  1. Mount Adams

    Mount Adams

    5,774 ft · 1.7 mi away

  2. Mount Washington

    Mount Washington

    6,288 ft · 2.4 mi away

  3. Mount Madison

    Mount Madison

    5,367 ft · 2.6 mi away

  4. Mount Monroe

    Mount Monroe

    5,384 ft · 3.4 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Jefferson?

Mount Jefferson is 5,712 feet (1,741 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

How does Mount Jefferson rank among the New England 4,000ers?

At 5,712 feet, Mount Jefferson is the 3rd highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike Mount Jefferson?

The Caps Ridge Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort moderate: 4 miles with 2,696 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Jefferson?

Most people take 4 – 5 hours round trip on the Caps Ridge Trail, covering 4 miles with 2,696 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Mount Jefferson?

Usually, if you are fit. The Caps Ridge Trail is a common first summit for hikers ready for 4 – 5 hours on their feet. Bring layers, food and water, and check the weather before you start.

Do you need microspikes for Mount Jefferson?

They help. Microspikes are on the gear list for the Caps Ridge Trail for icy or packed-snow sections, which are common outside summer.

When is the best time to hike Mount Jefferson?

The usual hiking window is June to October. Outside it, expect snow, storms or closed access, and check the summit forecast before you go.

What is the trailhead elevation for Mount Jefferson?

The Caps Ridge Trail starts at about 3,010 feet, roughly 2,702 feet below the summit.

Climb Mount Jefferson with Yak

Plan your route on a topo map, check the summit forecast, then log your climb and see what is left on your list

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