Mount Jefferson, named after the third U.S. President, is the third highest peak in New Hampshire, in New England, and in the Northeastern United States. It is located on the main Presidential Range crest between the first and second highest peaks--north of Mount Washington (and its northern outlier Mount Clay) and south of the bulk of Mount Adams. Located at the center of the scenic Northern Peaks of the Presidential Range, it, like its neighbors, boasts a vast area of rare eastern above-timberline terrain, and weather that can rapidly become near-Antarctic.

Given its position, Mount Jefferson could easily be overshadowed by its neighbors, but the peak has more than enough interesting features to give it a personality of its own. Two pinnacled ridges, the Ridge of the Caps and Castle Ridge, drop off to the west, and the double "knees" of Jefferson are two short ridges that fall very precipitously down to the huge gorge of the Great Gulf. Jefferson Ravine and Castle Ravine are two large, classic glacial cirques on the mountains flanks, and just south of the summit the broad, grassy expanse of Monticello Lawn breaks up the monotony of talus blocks that cover most of the upper mountain. The summit area has three little peaklets in a triangle, and is possibly the best viewpoint in the Presidentials, with Adams, Washington, and the Great Gulf all visible close-up.

How to Get There

The nearest major airport is in Manchester, New Hampshire. And a convenient center is located in North Conway.