Trails Used

Webster cliff trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

Great hike- trail to webster was more difficult terrain wise then expected but beautiful day and hike

Water Crossings

Major water crossing .8 miles in is doable- just cross further up on your left where they are rocks to hop over on

Wildlife

Very little bugs- a few flies on the summits

Trails Used

Webster Cliff Trail

Trail Conditions

Notes

At the start of the trail there is a large pool of standing water that is not too hard to get by without getting soaked. There were several places at low elevation where ground water was issuing forth from the recent heavy rainfall. in two places the water was running down the trail. In other places the water was running perpendicular to the trail. These conditions are not usual for this trail. Nevertheless, the water caused no problem for hiking. There was a stretch further uphill below the first outlook where water ran down the trail. The most water on the trail was between Mt Webster and Mt Jackson. There are patches of snow between the two peaks with none extending for more than twenty feet or so with a depth of 2' or less. The center of these snow patches was solid enough to bear weight with no sinking. Ledges in the evergreen areas were frequently wet but were not difficult to pass over. Exposed ledges were mostly dry. No need for traction. As usual, great views from many ledges along the ridge heading up to Mt Webster and at the two summits. The rhodora are not in bloom yet. I met only one hiker on the Webster Cliff Trail from route 302 to Mt Webster. There were many hikers on the Webster-Jackson loop coming up from Crawford Notch. The WMNF 2026 project list includes a 0.85 mile trail relocation for the Webster Cliff Trail with a decommissioning of 0.6 mile of existing trail.

Parking

Dirt lot off route 302 where the AT crosses the road.

Water Crossings

A bridge spans the Saco River. All other crossings are minor.

Wildlife

None

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Webster Jackson Trail, Webster Cliff Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Trail between Jackson and Webster had intermittent monorail but not much ice. See trail report from 4/29 for more updated trail conditions on the Jackson side of the trail.

Water Crossings

All rock hoppable

Trails Used

Brooks Fisher Trail, Crawford Ridgepole Trail, bushwhack

Trail Conditions

Notes

Some trail checking in this lesser-traveled portion of the Squam Range. Most of this route was dry except for right around Mt. Webster, where there was a dusting of snow from the most recent storm. Unlike other parts of the range, this area has very easy grades and generally good footing, making it a joy to hike. Inbound, I continued past Webster to my turnaround point at the old Cascade Trail. On the way back, I did the short but somewhat scratchy bushwhack to the off-trail summit of Webster, which is recognized with a register and cairn. Looks like a new notebook was placed late last year. Perfect hiking weather today with sunshine and cool temps.

Parking

At the Brooks Fisher trailhead on Perch Pond Rd.

Wildlife

Not yet but soon.

Also on this trip

Trails Used

Mount Webster and Jackson Loop

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

Summit ledges were bare rock. Grey jays observed.

Wildlife

Grey jays visited during hike.

Trails Used

Webster Jackson Trail, Webster Cliff Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

This is a tricky hike. There are relatively good times to go and there are times you wouldn't want to go on this hike. If conditions are wet or the snow is soft, it wouldn't be recommended to go. That is because there are a few areas where scrambling is required or during the general winter season, something like scrambling. About 1/2 mile into the hike, a large section of the Webster Jackson trail was covered in thick ice. Because of this part and the steep up and down by the waterfall on the Webster Branch of the trail, I used crampons to supplement micro spikes. With those, things went well. Although difficult from a technical standpoint, this hike is rewarded with excellent views at the top. You get to look almost straight down the notch like a birds eye view (not in the way you look down the notch in the direction of the road from something like Mt Willard). More info on this hike and others in the White Mountains can be found on summitsmarts.com

Parking

Plenty of parking off Rt 302 in Crawford Notch

Water Crossings

Still bridged as of hike date, but will change fast with warming weather and snow melt.