Pine Mountain (White Mountain National Forest)

Pine Mountain (White Mountain National Forest)

Distance: 3.52 miles
Elevation: 863 feet
Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes (1 hour, 44 minutes moving)

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Hiking Challenges: 52 With-a-View; Summit Beer Society

The Hike

It was officially the last full day of summer, my alarm went off at 2:20am, I was on the road by 2:40am, and I was starting my adventure for the day! My goal was to hike three different 52 With-a-View peaks: Pine Mountain, Imp Face, and the Doubleheads. I realized that I've done most of the southern 52s so my drives are going to start having to be further, which also means I'm going to have to hike longer to make sure I hit my goal of being in the woods longer than the car. I was shockingly awake for most of my drive until the last hour, and I bet Hooksett not having sandwiches was fully to blame. My hips were a little sore from a comical amount of walking during Pokemon Global Go Fest the past two days, but overall I was feeling good. It was a clear morning during my drive with a few dense patches of fog, and I got to enjoy incredible silhouettes of the mountains while driving through I-93 and US-2, with just a dim light behind them. My stomach was questionable at best, I shared the trailhead with one other car, and slowly got set up for my hike. It was 50 degrees, very wet from the rain last night, and very peaceful.

The hike starts by crossing Pinkham B Road and following Pine Mountain Road for just under a mile. It was a lovely cool morning with the pitter patter of rain still falling off the leaves. I took my sweatshirt off about halfway down the road, which later would slightly dip down and then ascend to the junction with the Ledge Trail.

The Ledge Trail turns into the woods and immediately changes character from gentle road walk to wet, rugged, White Mountains hike. I had the honor of knocking down all fo the spider webs from the past day. The trail was beautiful (and slippery) and eventually climbs to a stunning view of Mt. Madison over a small ledge (I took a thousand photos from the bottom of the ledge not realizing the better view was on top of the ledge) with a stunning undercast surrounding the valleys. There was a beautiful golden light illuminating the mountain with just a few more clouds up in the sky.

From here, I speed hiked up the steep, wet trail, as I knew there would be a better vantage point higher up, but also not wanting to miss any of the grandeur. I dodged some crazy red squirrels, scurried up the final slab, and was completely gobsmacked at the view. Mt. Madison was still the star of the show with Mt. Washington peeking out from behind. To the left was Pinkham Notch, the Wildcats, the dramatic Carter Notch and the Carters. The undercast followed the US-2 corridor toward Jefferson, and NH-16 up toward Gorham, essentially erasing any evidence of civilization. I was stunned.

I took a nice break and had my morning summit beverage (Kirkland Hard Seltzer, Lime), while sitting in a memorial "bench" (carved divit in a rock) dedicated to Carol Williams Horton, who, according to the internet, was once an owner of the Horton Center and who the center is named after. I admired the shadow of Pine Mountain on the clouds below, with a very dim circular cloud rainbow shining over the peak. 

Following the grand view, the trail continues along slippery rock slabs to the true summit with neat fire tower remains, a USGS bolt, and a deep mud puddle that I sunk my new shoes into. 

Here, the Ledge Trail terminates and the Pine Mountain Trail continues by descending gently with very wet footing. There was a path on the right to the first of three stunning views toward the Carters/Moriah and father North/East, Angel View (no sign). The second view had a sign, Gorham View, which was m ore of the same, and the third was Chapel View, my favorite. The sun was BRIGHT on the clouds below, but I couldn't stop staring in awe. Chapel View had a lean-to, log bench, and a unique view of Chapel Rock (which was closed to visitors since it was still August). There were a few people on Chapel Rock enjoying their morning coffee.

Angel's View.

Gorham View.

Chapel View.

I could have stayed all day but I had big goals to achieve! The descent continued to be wet and slippery, and the bugs were starting to wake up, which in turn triggered war flashbacks to being swarmed at Gilson Pond at Monadnock State Park. The Pine Mountain Trail leads to a four-way junction, and there I turned sharply left onto the Pine Mountain Loop.

This trail was narrow, wet, and rugged. There were spiders everywhere and very slippery boards. It parallels the section of Pine Mountain Road that is closed to hikers.

The Pine Mountain Loop terminates back at Pine Mountain Road, and then I had the long(ish) road walk back, with a few higher peaks saying hello above the trees. Once back at the car, I did a quick change, and started my drive over to the Imp Face! #1 of the day and #34 for the 52 With-a-View = done!

Step-by-Step

    - Park at Pine Mountain Road trailhead.

    - Cross street and start hike on Pine Mountain Road.

    - At first signed junction, turn right onto Ledge Trail.

    - Follow Ledge Trail to summit and terminus.

    - Continue along Pine Mountain Trail, taking the three spur paths on right to views.

    - At junction, turn sharply left onto Pine Mountain Loop.

    - At terminus, turn left onto Pine Mountain Road.

    - Follow Pine Mountain Road back to car.

"Pine Mountain Trail" from White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022)

WMNF This trail was reopened in the 1990s to restore an abandoned section of Pine Link that once connected an old route of the AT in Gorham with the Northern Presidentials via Pine Mtn. [...]. 

        [...]. 

        Pine Mtn. Trail follows bog bridges under the utility lines for 60 yd. (the cliffs here are sometimes used for rock climbing by Horton Center guests; please share the trail) and then bears right into the woods at a sign and ascends to a 4-way jct. at 2.4 mi.; straight ahead (sign) yellow-blazed Pine Mtn. Loop Trail leads 0.2 mi. to Pine Mtn. Road. The portion of the old tractor road diverging sharply right here leads to the private Horton Center and is not open to the public. Hikers are requested to use Pine Mtn. Loop Trail and to not follow the road past the buildings of the Horton Center. Turning left here, Pine Mtn. Trail ascends the old tractor road (also signed as Pinkham Ledge Trail) 0.3 mi. to the summit of Pine Mtn., passing three signed side paths left to eastern outlooks: Chapel View, which leads 60 yd. to a ledge with an impressive view of Chapel Rock; Gorham View; and Angel View. From the viewless summit, where footings from an old fire tower remain, Ledge Trail descends 0.1 mi. ahead to the south cliffs and excellent views.

"Pine Mountain Road and Pine Mountain Loop Trail" from White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022)

HC This trail uses the private automobile road to the Horton Center on Pine Mtn. most of the way to the summit of Pine Mtn. The road begins a little northwest of the highest point of Pinkham B Rd. (Dolly Copp Rd.; closed in winter), opposite the Pine Link trailhead, where parking is available. This trailhead is 2.4 mi. from US 2 (at the foot of the big hill west of Gorham and 1.9 mi. from NH 16 near Dolly Copp Campground. Pine Mtn. Road is closed to public vehicular use and has a locked gate but is open to the public as a foot trail to the summit, using Pine Mtn. Loop Trail and Pine Mtn. Trail for the upper part of the climb; hikers should watch out for Horton Center - affiliated cars along the road. Ledge Trail diverges from the road and runs over the top of the south cliff and to the summit; it is frequently used to make a loop over the summit.

        The impressive views from the summit area include the much higher surrounding peaks - particularly Mt. Madison - and the valleys of the Androscroggin, Moose, and Peabody rivers. The Horton Center, a private facility for renewal and education operated by the New Hampshire Conference of the United Church of Christ (Congregational), occupies a tract of 100 acres on the summit. The center consists of six buildings and an outdoor chapel on the northeast peak (not accessible to hikers from June through August while camp is in session), which has excellent views and can be reached by a spur path from Pine Mtn. Trail. Please avoid disturbing religious activities that may be in progress. Hikers are requested to use Pine Mtn. Loop Trail and to not follow Pine Mtn. Road past the buildings of the Horton Center.

        Pine Mtn. Road runs northeast from Pinkham B Rd., descends across a shallow col, and winds its way up the south and west flanks of the mountain. At 0.9 mi., Ledge Trail branches right to climb to the summit by way of the south cliff. Pine Mtn. Road now climbs more steadily, and at 1.5 mi. from Pinkham B Rd., the route to Pine Mtn. turns right into the woods on yellow-blazed Pine Mtn. Loop Trail; watch for a large sign just before the junction. Pine Mtn. Loop Trail climbs along the slope to the east of the road, bypassing the Horton Center and reaching a 4-way jct. at. 1.7 mi. To the right, Pine Mtn. Trail (also signed as Pinkham Ledge Trail) leads 0.3 mi. to the summit and the upper end of Ledge Trail, passing three signed side paths left to eastern outlooks; reach the excellent views from the south cliff by descending Ledge Trail for 0.1 mi. Continue straight from the 4-way jct., Pine Mtn. Trail leads 0.1 mi. to the side path to Chapel Rock. The trail leading sharply left from the 4-way jct. to the Horton Center is not open to the public.

"Ledge Trail" from White Mountain Guide, 31st Ed. (2022)

WMNF This trail, sparsely blazed in yellow, runs to the summit of Pine Mtn. from Pine Mtn. Road (a private road, closed to public vehicles but open as a trail), making possible an attractive loop with a sporty ascent past excellent views, and as easy return. Ledge Trail diverge right from Pine Mtn. Road 0.9 mi. from Pinkham B Rd. (Dolly Copp Rd.), ascends through woods and swings to the base of the south cliff; then it swings left up a ledge with a fine view south at 0.3 mi. It climbs steeply through woods to the east of the cliff with several easy scrambles and then swings left up broad glacier-scraped ledges to the cliff top, which provides beautiful views to the south and west. Ledge Trail then ascends gradually through woods for 0.1 mi. and meets Pine Mtn. Trail at the wooded summit, where footings from an old fire tower remain.

Photo Album