Mount Major 8/6/05
Mount Major 1786’
5 Miles 1200’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
We climb Mount Major a lot. We can get there in an hour from Kingston by taking 125 north to Rochester, then taking the Spaulding Turnpike north to rte 11. Stay on rte 11 at the traffic circle. The parking lot is on the left traveling north about 5 miles north of the flashing yellow light in Alton Bay. There are two trails that leave from the parking lot. On this trip I think we took the main trail which is basically a fire road which climbs steeply for a short way from the parking lot then levels off for a good stretch before it turns left (south)and starts climbing again, soon rising onto a ledge where there is a near complete view of Lake Winnipesaukee.
The Brook Trail branches off from the main trail at the turn in the main trail below the ledges. The main trail climbs through the woods again above the ledges and soon comes to even steeper ledges that rise to form the summit. This can be difficult for some small children and physically challenged people. Rain and snow melt can make the ledges slippery and dangerous and despite its small size challenging in ice and snow to get up or down this section without some sort of traction. The Brook Trail makes the trip to the summit a little longer but avoids these ledges. There are a couple of brook crossings which can be mildly challenging after heavy rain or snowmelt.
The alternative to these trails is the other trail which leaves the parking lot to the south, tthe Boulder Trail. This too, adds distance to the trip to the summit but for the most part rises easily to the summit after passing through a large section of medium sized boulders. There is a short steep section after the boulders, then the trail rises gently through pitch pine and lowbush blueberry, soon reaching the southern ledges which rise steadily to the north until they reach the summit and the foundation remains of the former hut. Whichever trail is taken the summit provides an unsurpassed view of Lake Winnepesaukee from Alton Bay north to Meredith and Moultonboro and east to Wolfboro.
To the northeast lies the Ossipee Range and on clear days Mount Washington can be seen rising above these sixty miles to the north. Leaving by the Brook Trail from the summit the trail heads west to a junction with a trail leading to Straightback Mountain. This trail eventually leads over Mount Anna to Belknap and Gunstock Mountains. For little effort Mount Major provides one of the best views in the southern foothills of the White Mountains. Absolutely worth the trip.
Read More5 Miles 1200’ Elevation gain
Kevin, Judy and Emma
We climb Mount Major a lot. We can get there in an hour from Kingston by taking 125 north to Rochester, then taking the Spaulding Turnpike north to rte 11. Stay on rte 11 at the traffic circle. The parking lot is on the left traveling north about 5 miles north of the flashing yellow light in Alton Bay. There are two trails that leave from the parking lot. On this trip I think we took the main trail which is basically a fire road which climbs steeply for a short way from the parking lot then levels off for a good stretch before it turns left (south)and starts climbing again, soon rising onto a ledge where there is a near complete view of Lake Winnipesaukee.
The Brook Trail branches off from the main trail at the turn in the main trail below the ledges. The main trail climbs through the woods again above the ledges and soon comes to even steeper ledges that rise to form the summit. This can be difficult for some small children and physically challenged people. Rain and snow melt can make the ledges slippery and dangerous and despite its small size challenging in ice and snow to get up or down this section without some sort of traction. The Brook Trail makes the trip to the summit a little longer but avoids these ledges. There are a couple of brook crossings which can be mildly challenging after heavy rain or snowmelt.
The alternative to these trails is the other trail which leaves the parking lot to the south, tthe Boulder Trail. This too, adds distance to the trip to the summit but for the most part rises easily to the summit after passing through a large section of medium sized boulders. There is a short steep section after the boulders, then the trail rises gently through pitch pine and lowbush blueberry, soon reaching the southern ledges which rise steadily to the north until they reach the summit and the foundation remains of the former hut. Whichever trail is taken the summit provides an unsurpassed view of Lake Winnepesaukee from Alton Bay north to Meredith and Moultonboro and east to Wolfboro.
To the northeast lies the Ossipee Range and on clear days Mount Washington can be seen rising above these sixty miles to the north. Leaving by the Brook Trail from the summit the trail heads west to a junction with a trail leading to Straightback Mountain. This trail eventually leads over Mount Anna to Belknap and Gunstock Mountains. For little effort Mount Major provides one of the best views in the southern foothills of the White Mountains. Absolutely worth the trip.
View east across Lake Winnepesaukee to Wolfboro.
