| About White Mountains National Forest |
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| Avalon Trail |
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Length, One-way:
2.8 Miles
Elevation Gain:
2,400 Feet
Average Time:
2 hr. 35 min.
Difficulty:
Moderate
Elevation:
4,280 Feet
Reservation:
No
Season:
Year-round
From Crawford Notch State Park, NH, A visitor center rests just north of the Crawford Notch State Park on US 302. The trail begins from the large parking lot.
Location Information
The trail begins at 1,900 feet elevation at the Crawford Depot and terminates at the intersection of the Willey Range Trail. Several spur trails offer panoramic views and views of cascades. After passing the Mt. Willard Trail, the path ascends gradually where you must cross a small brook. The path turns left for sights of Beecher and Pearl cascades, then rejoins the original trail. The grade gradually becomes more challenging then turns into a steep ascent at about 1.8 miles. To the northeast is the backbone of the Presidential Range capped by 6,288 ft. Mt. Washington, the tallest peak in the northeast. On clear days, it is easily recognizable by the buildings on the summit. To the south is Crawford Notch. To the west are the wooded summits of Mt. Field on the left, and Mt. Tom on the right. In the valley, the white building with the bright red roof is the Mt. Washington Hotel, the largest and most famous of all the grand hotels that once dotted this area. Directly below is the Crawford Notch Depot and Hostel. This is also the site of the famous Crawford House Hotel which was destroyed by fire. Just to the right is Saco Pond. From the Mt. Avalon summit, continue at a moderate grade to the summit of Mt. Field. At 2.8 miles, the trail ends at the Willey Range Trail. To return by a different trail, turn right (northwest) on the Willey Range Trail. The trail descends at an easy grade .9 mile to the junction with A-Z trail. Turn right once again. Nearby on the left is Mt. Tom Spur Trail; it terminates .6 mile at a wooded summit. Halfway to the summit is a view to the south. From the intersection of Mt. Tom Spur Trail, continue down the A-Z Trail 1.3 miles to the junction with the Mt. Avalon Trail where you retrace your steps back to the Crawford Depot.
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