Temple Mountain via Beebe and Wapack Trails (Temple Mountain Reservation)

Temple Mountain via Beebe and Wapack Trails (Temple Mountain Reservation)

Hike Type: Loop

Distance: 1.60 miles

Elevation: 410 feet

Time: 36 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Friends of the Wapack

The Hike

I love April break! I slept until 6-ish at Emma's and then started my long drive back to the Boston area. My goal was to hit three trails on the way back. Specifically, the three trails I needed to complete all of the Friends of the Wapack trails (Beebe Trail, Berry Pasture Trail, and Kidder Mountain Trail)! My first stop was Temple Mountain Reservation, across the street from Miller State Park (home of Pack Monadnock). The large parking lot only had a couple of cars, and the temperature was in the upper 40s but quickly rising. I was on the trail right at 9:30!

"Conservation History" from Trailhead Kiosk

This property has long been known for its ski area. Temple Mountain Ski Area was founded in 1938 by Charlie and Lucy Beebe and was one of the first ski areas in New Hampshire with an uphill lift. Subsequently it was owned and operated by the Beebes' son Mike, a member of the University of New Hampshire ski team and now a resident of Lyndeborough, N.H.; Peter Martin and his partners from Nantucket, Mass.; and Sandy Eneuguess of Peterborough, N.H. Bill Currier, formerly of New Ipswich, N.H., worked at Temple Mountain throughout its history. Suffering the fate of many similar small operations, the business closed in 2001.

When the ski area and its 352 acres was offered for sale in 2001, a group of concerned local residents calling themselves the Friends of Temple Mountain worked to find ways to protect the land. That work included looking for a new operator who would continue to run the mountain for the benefit of local residents. Though the Peaks group bought nearby Crotched Mountain with plans to revitalize its ski business, no viable operator could be found for Temple Mountain.

A New York developer then secured an option to buy the property for a large scale residential development and golf course. But thankfully that option expired and a local family bought the property through their TempleHighlands LLC business.

Temple Highlands' goal was to hold the property long enough for ownership to be conveyed to the State of New Hampshire, which owns Miller State Park immediately to the north. In order for the state to take ownership, all of the buildings and equipment had to be removed. This work was undertaken by Temple Highlands. Snowmaking equipment, pipes, lighting and lifts were systematically dismantled and sold to other ski areas or recycled. Late in 2007, the State of New Hampshire took formal ownership.

The property is now managed by the New Hampshire Department of Resources and Economic Development and is open to all types of nonmotorized recreation. A long section of the Wapack Trail travels up and over Temple Mountain. There is also an extensive trail system on the east side of the property, just downhill from the pond, where there was a cross-country skiing center and which today features a magnificent wetland frequented by beavers, bear, moose. 

THANK YOU. In addition to the cleanup, significant funds needed to be raised for the state to purchase the mountain from Temple Highlands. The Monadnock Conservancy, a land trust based in Keene, N.H., spearheaded a public-private partnership to accomplish the task. Donations came from hundreds of individual contributions, the three towns in which the mountain is located, several state and federal agencies, and many other partners. Funds were even raised through the sale of souvenir chairs from the old quad lift. In a final act of generosity, Temple Highlands' sale price was significantly discounted from their original investment.

The hike started past the access road gate and then turned left onto the Beebe Trail. The trees all around the mountain were budding in their early spring colors as I meandered on and past old, overgrown ski trails, which were both cool and a little sad. There were a few planks over wet spots on the trail and an occasional tree view back to Pack Monadnock.

Soon, the forest changed to a denser canopy and began to climb more moderately. I was thrilled with the conditions, maintenance, and signage on this trail. Even when there were old junctions/criss-crossing footpaths, the trail was well-signed and defined. Around the 0.5 mile mark, the trail steepened again and began to climb with good footing.

There was a brief walking break before another climb, and then I noticed a little herd path on the right to what looks like an area that may have had a view or camp spot at one point many, many years ago? Unsure.

The canopy opened up near the top of the trail and provided a great view of Pack Monadnock behind. The trail crossed old lift tower footings and I began to hear people at the very top, so I decided I'd skip that for today (I was feeling incredibly anti-social). I did flirt with going on the Wapack Trail and getting the Berry Pasture Trail from above, but I didn't want to loose steam and not do the Kidder Mountain Trail at the end because I was too tired, so down I went on the Wapack back to the parking lot!

I enjoyed the gravelly walk down, imagining what it would be like to ski here with just a little bit of maintenance. I'm sure some people still come after a big storm, as a few lines are still clear. The trail eventually switchbacked down to an old shed, which I assume used to house a groomer, and then, before I knew it, I was back at the parking lot! This was a lovely, short-but-mighty, hike! Onto #2!

Step-by-Step

- Park at Temple Mountain Reservation

- Start hike on spur to Wapack Trail.

- At jct., turn left onto Beebe Trail.

- At jct., turn right onto Wapack Trail.

- At jct., turn right onto parking lot spur.

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