Mount Willey Trail is a 4.8 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Bartlett, New Hampshire that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. The trail is primarily used for hiking, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail.
A difficult hike up and down this 4,285 foot New Hampshire peak. This 4,285' peak near Crawford Notch is a fairly easy climb. It could also be climbed from Crawford Notch State Park along with Tom and Field if so desired in an easy loop but approaching it from the south gives another perspective as well. The ascent is pretty well maintained and even has a section of wooden steps to assist you in your climb. At the top you'll have great views across the notch to Webster Cliffs and the southern presidentials including Jackson and perhaps Eisenhower. There is a cairn at the top marking the true summit which is a little beyond the viewpoint over the notch.
Ethan Pond Trailhead: This trailhead is off of Route 302 just south Crawford Notch near the Willey House Station. Look for the Willey House Station Road off of 302 south of the notch. Parking is $3 per day.
April 13, 2021I hiked this on Sunday 4/11/21. There was a little mud amd some snow. the snow monorail was pretty packed down and I never put my microspikes on. River crossings were all doable, lots of rock hopping options.
March 14, 2021First 2 miles were a breeze. Then I hit the steeper terrain. The mountain had about an inch of fresh snow on it. Wore micro spikes from truck to summit. Slapped on the snowshoes for the decent. Coming down the ladders was definitely harder then going up them. Willey house station road was closed so this added some time/distance. Total elapsed time truck to truck was 3:47 min including Willey road time.
February 28, 2021February 28, 2021
January 18, 2021From 302/Willey Station Rd. Took road up to Ethan Pond Tr to Willey Range Tr to Mt Willey. First tracks on fresh snow over packed trail was good for micro spikes. Ascent turned grueling when we reached steep areas packed smooth from hikers sliding down the previous day. Footing was tough (deeper micro spikes may have helped). Ladders were a delight! Took 3+ hours to summit Mt Willey and were met by some gray jays. Easy traverse on snow pack to Mt Field and met an American Pine Marten! Continued easily to Mt Tom and finished at Highland Center. Snowshoes way have helped between Willey and Field but micro spikes were just fine. Finished in 6hr 40m.
January 13, 2021Very challenging. Right from the start you are met with an incline and large steps, followed by a walk in the park before you rest start to climb, then you get to the never ending ladders, once that’s done, you get to what looks like a wall, after climbing the wall you will arrive at the outlook followed by the summit. Summit is all trees, no real views except from the outlook, come to think of it, no real views the entire climb up, just sneak peaks in between the tree branches. Either way, this was a fun and challenging hike.
January 12, 2021Definitely difficult. We started the accent at the house on 1/10/21. startsd at 10:15am and got back at 4:30. Took us about 6 hours total. I was having a hard time with the snow and ice on the trail. I am personally not very "fit" so had to take a few extra beaks so may have took me long than than a person that hikes often. it was a clear beautiful day, clear sky's showed mt, Washington and down the valley. We didnt need snowshoes when we went, looked like someone went through with them already. We definitely needed ice cleats. It was probley 10-15degrese at the top with the wind chill. Being nervous with heights I was not a fan with the latters going down with the snowy stairs. I would love to go in the summer time for a different experience
January 1, 2021December 27, 2020Another awesome hike in the Whites. Very little snow after the Christmas rain but a fair amount of ice and water. Microspikes required but no snowshoes. The lookout is great. the summit has no view. this is a short but challenging hike with wet/icy scrambles and some interesting ladders to het up the steep sections. The ladders require some confidence. The day had sporadic sun with fairly constant light snow.
December 21, 2020Perfect 1st day of winter! Hiked up Willey via Ethan Pond Trail and Willey Ridge Trail. Ladders were snow covered but not buried by the snow so we used our microspikes up the ladders and snowshoes for everything else. Awesome views at the Willey Outlook and just beyond the summit enroute to Field. Also nice views along the ridge through the trees that are not typically noticeable in the non winter months. We came down the Avalon Trail but skipped the summit as we both been there many times. No significant ice except on the ledges next to the ladders on Willey but the steps were just snowy and a few isolated spots here and there.
December 15, 2020Very icy/snowy - spikes a must. Steep incline all the way up. Ladders are very icy so watch your step coming down. The road that leads to the trailhead is not paved and very icy - do not attempt to drive up, safer to park at the bottom.
December 12, 2020Whole trail is covered in snow, spikes aren’t really necessary but very helpful of course. The ladders are decent right now but sure they’ll get icey! Very vertical style hike as mentioned before, good luck!!!!
December 2, 2020November 15, 2020Was definitely true to the reviews...not for the faint of heart or those who don’t like verticals for miles....ladders definitely put me out of my comfort zone...but that’s always a good thing. Needed spikes on the way down . Miles are way off....total round trip from upper parking lot at Ripley Falls to summit and back 6.12 miles...still completed in just 4 hours. Views at the look out are amazing!!!!!!! Was a great Sunday adventure with my daughter in law
November 15, 2020Didn’t think it was too difficult for a 4000ft. Beautiful views of the presidentials today!
November 13, 2020Completed a 17.38 mile loop (Willey, Field, Tom, & Ethan Pond). Started out on Ethan Pond Trail and branched off on the Willey Range Trail to go over Willey and Field via the ladder route (boy what a tough first 3 miles…but so much fun!). Continued on to Tom via the A-Z Trail and then started loop on A-Z Trail headed up to the Zealand Falls and Zealand Hut. Connected back up on the Ethan Pond Trail...this trail after the Zealand Hut area is so amazing with the gravel path and fields of boulders on each side of the trail...amazing! Took a short spur trail over to the Thoreau Falls area and then proceeded to the Ethan Pond tentsite. Finished by finishing the loop on Ethan Pond Trail. An amazing day hike that had so much diversity in views, waterfalls, streams, ponds, and different types of terrain.
October 29, 2020DWhat a great hike! I went on 10/29/20 started at 9:30 and got back to the parking lot at around 1:30. Last 1/2 mile of the ascent is quite slick and steep in a number of sections. The ladders are steep and helpful, even when covered in snow. Low traffic, i saw 4 hikers. I skipped the falls to give myself something to look forward to when I bring a hiking partner. Great and short solo hike and another 4k footer in the books. DISCLAIMER: i forgot to end my recording until I noticed 4 miles or so down route 302. Actual distance traveled out and back was about 6.5 miles.
October 25, 2020Took me and my roommate 3 hours and 20 minutes up and down from Willey summit. The ladders component was sweet and there was a nice look out point up by the top. The trail was much dryer than i had thought it was going to be.
October 24, 2020Went early morning, first on the trail. Was super foggy and wet. Light rain at times. Nice steady incline the whole way, the ladders are awesomeee! No view unfortunately because of the heavy fog.
October 17, 2020almost a mile into the trail it turned into a muddy river and had to turn back. if youre doing this make sure your gear is water proof
October 14, 2020October 10, 2020Rated difficult but we found it to be very challenging due to the steepness of the continuous incline and rocky terrain.
