North and South Doublehead Mountain NH via Doublehead Ski Trail
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North and South Doublehead Mountain Hike Overview
North (3,050’) and South (2,939') Doublehead Mountains sit in Jackson along the east side of the White Mountains. Both peaks are on Doublehead Mountain, offering beautiful views of the surrounding mountains on nearby overlooks. Its views put it on the 52 With a View list! Some of the best views are at the overlook near South Doublehead of the White Mountains and Mount Washington.
Trail Details
Trail: Doublehead Ski Trail > Old Path
Length: 4.1 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,700 feet
My Trail Time: 2 hours hiking; 2.5 hours total
Hike Overview
The most popular way to hike to the Doubleheads is via a loop with the Doublehead Ski Trail and Old Path. If you are like me and like to ascend steeper trails, I recommend hiking the loop counterclockwise. The Old Path to South Doublehead is steep with loose rocks, and it is much easier to hike up it.
Although this hike is on the shorter side, it is not easy, gaining over 1,700 feet. The steepest sections are along the Old Path and just below the summit of North Doublehead. But the views make the effort worth it!
Also, in the winter, many people ski on the Doublehead Ski Trail. Remember to be mindful when you are hiking the trail and look out for skiers!
North and South Doublehead Mountain NH via Doublehead Ski Trail Guide
October 9, 2023
**Always remember to leave no trace. It is crucial to pack out what you pack in and throw away your trash properly.
Since the foliage was peaking during one of the busiest weekends in New Hampshire, I decided to stay away from popular trails and finally hike Doublehead Mountain. I knew the views from the overlooks would be beautiful with foliage, so I was excited to enjoy it with fewer crowds!
I began my hike later than usual but did not have issues finding parking, even on a holiday weekend. The drive to the trailhead was also beautiful! It is a wonderful neighborhood tucked into Jackson, and each home has stunning mountain views.
The first half-mile of the trail was easy and followed an old ski trail. The trail was incredibly wet and muddy, with multiple small streams crossing it. It was pretty hard not to have muddy shoes, which I was not a fan of since the ascent on Old Path was steep. I wanted to have all the traction I could get!
But the first section flew by since the Doublehead Ski Trail was not steep. After about 0.6 miles, I arrived at the loop junction. I turned right to continue on Old Path and ascend to South Doublehead first, and I was so happy I did. The Old Path is incredibly steep and begins to gain elevation immediately. Most of the trail was in great shape and easy to ascend, except for a few sections with loose rock. I would not have wanted to descend along this trail.
I will not lie, this section of the trail kicked my butt! Although this section of Old Path was only 0.6 miles, it gained almost 1,000 feet of elevation and felt like a never-ending trail! But before I knew it, I reached another intersection along the ridge between North and South Doublehead.
I turned right to continue to South Doublehead and followed the trail to the end of the spur. The end has some beautiful views, but I knew the best were back near the summit of South Doublehead. The trail has a short spur to an overlook next to the summit, offering breathtaking views of the White Mountains and Mount Washington. The foliage was beautiful, and I had the area to myself! It was one of those views I did not want to leave.
After finally pulling myself away from the view, I followed the trail back towards Old Path and continued the ascent to North Doublehead. The final 0.3 miles before Doublehead Cabin were steep and relentless. But since it was a short section, I just put my head down and pushed through to the cabin.
No one was at the cabin, so I explored the outside. You can reserve a stay at the Doublehead Cabin, and I hope to do that in the future! It has a bathroom behind it, which is always a nice, rare find in New Hampshire! The overlook was on the right side of the cabin, just past the bathroom, and offered beautiful views looking east into Maine. Although the views were not as expansive as those near South Doublehead, they were beautiful, especially with the foliage. There is also a nice view of Mount Washington to the left of the Doublehead Cabin.
After exploring the overlooks, I began the descent on the Doublehead Ski Trail. The trail was what I expected for an old ski trail with a wide path. These 1.3 miles of trail were slippery with the fallen leaves, but since it was not overly steep, I did not have many issues with slipping. I was also surprised to see how many people were ascending this trail, knowing how difficult it would be to descend the Old Path on their way down.
I flew down the Doublehead Ski Trail, and before I knew it, I was back at the loop junction. The final stretch of the trail was slower because the mud seemed to increase on the trail, but soon enough, I was back at the parking lot.
I really enjoyed this hike since it was short and steep! And it was the perfect way to enjoy the foliage with fewer crowds.
Have you hiked Doublehead Mountain in New Hampshire?
Hey, I’m Nichole!
I am the creator behind Nichole the Nomad, the home of my explorations around the world, mountain hikes, and beautiful pictures taken along the way. I have a deep passion for capturing the world in a beautiful light and sharing my experiences.
I created this blog to share my travels, show how beautiful the world is, provide tips and tricks for traveling, and encourage you to explore. Whether you want to travel across the world or explore what’s in your backyard, I hope this blog inspires you to get outside and find your adventure!