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4,285 ft · White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Willey

Mount Willey is a 4,285 ft peak in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. The standard route is the Mount Tom, Field, Willey and Avalon Trail: 9 mi, 3,435 ft of gain, Class 2.

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Mount Willey in the White Mountains, New Hampshire

Mount Willey at a glance

  • Elevation4,285 ft1,306 m
  • RouteMount Tom, Field, Willey and Avalon TrailClass 2
  • Distance9 mi3,435 ft gain
  • Time6 – 8 hrsHard effort
  • SeasonJun – Oct
  • RangeWhite MountainsNew Hampshire

Climbing the Mount Tom, Field, Willey and Avalon Trail

From Crawford Notch, the Ethan Pond and Willey Range trails climb very steeply out of the notch, with wooden ladders and rock steps aiding the sharpest pitches. Mount Willey is the southern peak of the Willey Range, with outlook ledges giving dramatic views down into Crawford Notch. The steep ladders are slick and tricky when wet or icy, so use caution and poles. Start early and carry water for the round trip. Often linked with Field and Tom in a Willey Range traverse for strong hikers.

Gear and hazards

What to bring

  • Backpack (20–30 L)
  • Water
  • Water Filter
  • First-Aid Kit
  • Whistle
  • Offline Maps
  • Compass
  • Headlamp
  • Power Bank
  • Hiking Boots
  • Trekking Poles
  • Base Layer
  • Midlayer
  • Hardshell Jacket
  • Buff
  • Sun Hat
  • Sunglasses
  • Sunscreen

What to watch for

  • Slippery terrain
  • Insects

Mount Willey on Yak

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

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Quests with Mount Willey

Peaks near Mount Willey

  1. Mount Field

    Mount Field

    4,340 ft · 1.1 mi away

  2. Mount Tom

    Mount Tom

    4,051 ft · 2.3 mi away

  3. Mount Jackson

    Mount Jackson

    4,052 ft · 2.6 mi away

  4. Mount Pierce

    Mount Pierce

    4,310 ft · 4.1 mi away

Frequently asked questions

How tall is Mount Willey?

Mount Willey is 4,285 feet (1,306 m) tall. It is in the White Mountains, New Hampshire.

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

At 4,285 feet, Mount Willey is the 32nd highest of the 67 New England 4,000ers. The highest is Mount Washington.

How hard is it to hike Mount Willey?

The Mount Tom, Field, Willey and Avalon Trail is Class 2, which means off-trail hiking with some use of your hands for balance. Yak rates the overall effort hard: 9 miles with 3,435 feet of elevation gain.

How long does it take to hike Mount Willey?

Most people take 6 – 8 hours round trip on the Mount Tom, Field, Willey and Avalon Trail, covering 9 miles with 3,435 feet of elevation gain, so most people do it in a day.

Can a beginner hike Mount Willey?

The Mount Tom, Field, Willey and Avalon Trail needs no climbing skills, but it is a hard day: 9 miles with 3,435 feet of elevation gain. Build up on shorter hikes first, start early and carry plenty of water and layers.

When is the best time to hike Mount Willey?

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 Willey?

The Mount Tom, Field, Willey and Avalon Trail starts at about 1,890 feet, roughly 2,395 feet below the summit.

Climb Mount Willey 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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