When one extols the wonders of nature and the benefits of being in the great outdoors, the 4000-footers usually hit the mark. But for me, Mount Hale is the only mountain on the list I have no particular interest in visiting again. I admit it.
The Hale Brook Trail
There was no getting around it: the day was wet. I honestly remembering wishing I had an umbrella for a portion of the hike. Even though it’s only 2.3 miles or so to the summit, it felt like a 5-mile slog. Sometimes the weather does that.
Always an optimist, I tried to look at the day through rose-colored glasses. I took pictures of plants and the trail itself, trying to cast Hale in the best possible light, but it did little to lift my feelings about the terrain. I’d love to tell you that every mountain in New Hampshire is perfect, giving me a deep sense of wonderment and calm, but I can’t.
“Climbing Hale sucked. The trail was drenched, the mountain was ugly, and my only reward when I made it to the top was a giant pile of rocks, presumably stacked there over the years by other climbers who were disappointed in the lack of natural aesthetics.”
Mount Hale’s Summit
After so many spectacular views, I was sorely disappointed when I arrived at Hale’s summit. Even some other 4000-footers that are shrouded by trees at the summit, still have views of the surrounding valley and neighboring mountains as you climb them. But Hale wasn’t having any of that. I read online that some people were able to get some mountain views by climbing to the top of the summit cairn, but there was no point today. It was socked in, in every direction. Instead, I rested my pack on a rock in hopes that I could dress up the area and give myself something better to look at.
There. That’s MUCH better.
Finding Beauty on the Descent
On the way down, even though the rain messed with my gear, I took some time to practice my photography skills at Hale Brook. I’d been learning about ISO and shutter speeds and wanted to practice getting the dreamy stream-like effect you can get at waterfalls if you know what you’re doing. I still didn’t, but I was getting better at it. I think.
But even though the day wasn’t my favorite, there was a lesson in Hale for me as well. Some days just don’t give you what you’ve come to expect, and that’s ok. I still got some interesting pictures out of it, and I learned about another mountain. For instance, did you know that Hale was named after Reverend Edward Everett Hale who was the chaplain of the U.S. Senate? He was also a pretty well-established mountaineer and storyteller. In between writing sentences here, I just purchased Hale’s book called “The Man Without a Country.” Climbing and storytelling? Sounds like my kind of guy.
The Road Home
🧭 Ascent Details: Mount Hale (4,054′)
- Route: Hale Brook Trail
- Distance: 4.4 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: ~2,300 feet
- Trailhead: End of Zealand Road (seasonal access)
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Features: Steady grade, forested trail, no views at summit
- Summit: Marked by a large cairn; wooded with limited visibility
- Notes: Zealand Road is typically closed in winter; adds mileage if hiking from the gate.
Exploring Mount Hale: Trail Reports & Peakbagging Resources
Don’t say I didn’t warn you, but if you’re still going to climb Mount Hale because you’re trying to climb all of the 4000-footers, then okay. Here are a few key resources to help:
- Peakbagger.com – Mount Hale | – A great place to track your 4000-footer progress, log summits, and see detailed elevation data.
- 4000footers.com – I used this site a lot when learning routes for my first ascents of the 4000-footers. It provides clear details about the trail, how to get there, with a small map showing you the route.
- AMC Trail Maps – I have different versions that came with a more detailed trail book, but it’s always good to have a reliable map.
More Rocks
If you like reading about mountains, the 4000-footers, and the ups and downs of getting “out there,” come check out more stories at 4000s by 40.
Looking for photos of more 4000-footers? Head back to the 4000s by 40 Visual Companion to explore the other peaks.