Mount Pierce, located in Bean's Grant, New Hampshire, within the White Mountain National Forest, is a picturesque mountain in the Presidential Range of the White Mountains. Standing at approximately 4,310 feet in elevation, this mountain was originally known as Mount Clinton, named after 19th-century New York governor DeWitt Clinton. However, in 1913, it was officially renamed Mount Pierce in honor of President Franklin Pierce, the only U.S. president born in New Hampshire. It took several decades for the name change to gain widespread recognition.

Mount Pierce's summit is a favorite among hikers attempting to conquer New Hampshire's 4,000-footers. With a clean prominence of 235 feet, the summit provides hikers with breathtaking panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes. To the west, you'll spot the Mount Washington Resort in the valley below, nestled next to the Rosebrook Range with its ski trails. Further along the horizon are the Cherry-Dartmouth Range, Pliny Range, and Pilot Range. In the center of this expansive vista, you'll see the rest of the Presidential Range, with peaks such as Jefferson, Clay, Eisenhower, Franklin, and Monroe, all with their distinct features. To the right of Mount Washington, you'll find Boott Spur and the Montalban Ridge.

Mount Pierce is often considered one of the easier 4,000-footers to climb in the White Mountains. Hikers can reach its summit via the Crawford Path, the oldest maintained hiking trail in the United States, originally created in 1819. This trail is named after Abel and Ethan Crawford, who referred to the mountain as Bald Mountain. The Mount Pierce via Crawford Path Trail is 5.9 miles round-trip and is rated as a challenging hike, featuring an elevation gain of just under 2,400 feet. On average, it takes hikers around 4 to 4.5 hours to complete. Given its popularity, you'll likely encounter other hikers along the way. The best times to hike this trail are from April through October. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on a leash. For those seeking more adventure, Mount Pierce is often combined with nearby Mount Jackson or Mount Eisenhower.

Parking for the Crawford Path Trailhead is available at two nearby lots just off Crawford Notch Road (also known as Route 302). The closest parking area is the AMC Highland Center parking lot, while a slightly further option is the Crawford Notch Station parking lot. These lots tend to fill up quickly, especially on nice days, so it's advisable to arrive early.

Visitors to the area can also explore the impressive roadside waterfalls, Flume Cascade and Silver Cascade, located just south of the trailhead along Crawford Notch Road. These cascades, both over 100 feet tall, are easily visible from the roadside, offering a scenic prelude or post-hike treat to your Mount Pierce adventure.