For those looking for less words and more pictures, this gallery presents a visual of all of NH’s 4000-footers, arranged from tallest to shortest. Sometimes it’s more fun to look at pictures of mountains than to read about them—and even writers are allowed to feel that way. Enjoy!
And if just in case you ARE looking for some stories about these mountains, you can also find a wide repository of those here.
Without further ado, here they are, as far as I’ve captured them to date.
Mount Washington – 6,287′
They don’t make them any bigger than this. Well, not in New Hampshire anyway. Whether you are exploring Tuckerman Ravine, driving up it, or willing to battle the elements on foot, you’re bound to have an epic adventure here. Well, as long as you don’t get overwhelmed by the crowds at the summit cafeteria.
Mount Adams – 5,797′
Named for my favorite president, Adams’s rocky peak pushes your endurance level as you make your way to New Hampshire’s loftiest heights. The route by Star Lake is beautiful and if time allows, there are a bunch of subpeaks here where you can obtain incredible views.
Mount Jefferson – 5,714′
When I think of Jefferson, I think “rugged.” I have some more exploring to do before I can fully appreciate or understand this mountain, but whichever direction you’re coming from, Jefferson will give your legs a workout.
Mount Monroe – 5,370′
Of the big five, this may be my favorite. With views of Washinton and a slope that allows you to look down on the greener, southern rim of the Presidential Range, Monroe lingers more in my mind than the rest of them.
Mount Madison – 5,363′
Steep and rocky, this can either be your gateway to a Presidential Traverse, or your end. Having done both, I recommend it being your way up. Fun fact: They originally thought Madison was taller than Monroe and bestowed his name on this peak thinking it was the 4th tallest mountain in NH—right in line with Madison’s presidential order. The surveyor got it wrong, but it was too late when they discovered the error.
Mount Lafayette (5,243′) & Mount Lincoln (5,080′)
These two are grand enough to stand on their own, but are usually paired into one epic hike. From what I understand, more Search and Rescue efforts are needed on Lafayette as opposed to Washington or any other mountain in NH. Respect the mountain and it will respect you. Maybe.
South Twin (4,899′) & North Twin (4,759′),
One of my favorite places to catch a sunset in the White Mountains. The hike up has everything too—river crossings, expansive views, and very few people if you time it right.
Carter Dome (4,839′), Middle Carter (4,623′), and South Carter (4,445′)
The best views here are on the way to the Carters, heading south from Mount Moriah. Carter Dome, despite being the tallest, felt a bit more shrouded than Middle Carter, until I got on the other side of it and made my way to Wildcat. I’ve climbed Middle Carter on another day by itself, but it was tough to see much on an overcast winter day.
Mount Moosilauke – 4,800′
The saying goes, “You never know when Moosilauke is going to Moosilauke,” and I’d say that’s about right. Almost EVERY time I climb it, a storm blows in. I’ve only had one clear day here.
Mount Eisenhower – 4,762′
Often overlooked because of its older brothers to the north on the Presidential Ridge, people don’t talk about this peak as much as they should.
Bond (4,696′), West Bond (4,517′), Bondcliffs (4,263′)
Even if you’re not climbing all of the 4000-footers, if there is one experience in the backcountry of New Hampshire you should try, it’s getting out to these mountains. They are amazing to behold. Probably one of the most sought-after landscapes to photograph and enjoy in the wilds of NH.
Mount Carrigain – 4,680′
A little bit longer than it used to be because of the Sawyer River Road washout, this is a big hike. But the reward is totally worth it. One of the best views in all of NH, someday I’d like to sleep on Carrigain’s summit platform.
Mount Garfield – 4,501′
I need to visit Garfield again. Every time I’ve gone, I’ve had bad weather and I need to remedy that.
Mount Liberty – 4,458′
Give me liberty or give me… well, just give me liberty! Combined with Mount Flume, this is a special, special hike. The last photo shows a view of Liberty and Flume from Loon Mountain.
Wildcat Mountain (4,399′), Wildcat D (4,062′, According to the Summit Sign)
Located in the Carter Moriah Range, the true summit of Wildcat Mountain is absolutely beautiful. Wildcat ski resort is often heralded for having some of the best views of any ski mountain in North America, and, well, you get those views hiking it too.
And what can I say about Wildcat D? After a long day on the Carter Moriah Range, I summited the final 4000-footer in this set (number 6) in the dark. There are several subpeaks on Wildcat, but D gets the nod for being on the 4000-footer list because of its prominence from the nearest peaks. But basically, Wildcat D is the top of the ski mountain portion of Wildcat. Since I finished it in the dark, I don’t have many pictures of it from the hike. Most of my images I have of it are from ski days there.
Mount Hancock (4,398′) & South Hancock (4,257′)
South Hancock and Hancock can be tied together in a loop, and honestly, they kind of blend together in my memory. Their peaks are fairly similar, although Hancock proper is a bit taller.
South Kinsman (4,356′) & North Kinsman (4,274)
I can’t decide if I like the views from South Kinsman or North Kinsman better. Guess you’ll have to climb them both.
There are a few ways to approach the Kinsmans—one of which is by Lonesome Lake to the east or from the Mount Kinsman Trail to the north. Either way, you’re in for some good views and an interesting hike.
Mount Flume – 4,329′
Lafayette and Lincoln get all the press, but I enjoy Flume and Liberty more because they give you a similar vibe with less people. And they are a little bit shorter!
Mount Osceola – 4,328′
One of the most repeatable mountain sets to climb in this whole list, I love the Osceolas. I never hear too many people talk about them, but East and Mount Osceola are among my favorites. Easier to climb and with views that, I think, provide a decent version of what you get in the Bonds, these mountains are on my repeat list. Especially the main peak. If you tackle both of them in the same hike, make sure you are aware of the conditions to safely navigate “The Chimney.”
Mount Field (4,326′), Mount Willey (4,279′) & Mount Tom (4,048′)
Of the Tom-Field-Willey brothers, I tend to prefer Willey and Tom over Field. But Field is how you bridge the gap between them. When I’ve hiked it, I hardly notice it much and feel like I may need to make a dedicated return to just hike Field and nothing else. Take my time, you know?
As for Willey, if you’re looking for a sure-fire way to meet a gray jay, Willey is your mountain. Willey is my favorite of the three.
And Tom? One of the best pieces of advice I got when I first started winter hiking the 4000-footers, was that Mount Tom would be the easiest one to tackle. They were spot on. The hike up Mount Tom runs below the treeline until you reach the summit, leaving you protected from the elements for most of the adventure. Tom’s height and the length of the Avalon Trail leading to it (5.5 miles round trip), make this peak a good choice if you’re thinking about making a winter ascent of a 4000-footer for the first time. The last image below isn’t from Tom, but a look at Willey, Field and Tom, from the summit of Mount Webster.
From Mount Webster: Field is in the center, with Willey to the left, and Tom to the right.
Scenes from Mount Willey
Scenes from Mount Tom
Mount Pierce – 4,315′
I’m not just saying this because it’s named after the only president to come from NH, but Mount Pierce is one of the best 4000-footers to climb in New Hampshire or anywhere else for that matter. Not too rough on the feet compared to other mountains on this list, and the views… man, oh man.
Zealand Mountain – 4,264′
The summit of Zealand is shrouded in trees, but the rest of the hike gives you plenty of beauty to enjoy. Especially Zeacliff. If you’re looking for a great view and don’t feel the need to bag a 4000-footer, Zeacliff is worth checking out.
Mount Cabot – 4,161′
Strange things are afoot at Mount Cabot. If you climb this peak, make sure you do it from the fish hatchery and DO NOT ATTEMPT the old Mount Cabot Trail. I learned this the hard way.
North Tripyramid (4,160′) and Middle Tripyramid (4,135′)
I don’t have many photos from this sojourn as I kept bumping into an individual on the trail who made me nervous. As such, I don’t have much that I can remember, either, other than him. I feel like I owe these mountains another visit.
Cannon Mountain – 4,083′
Even though it’s one of the smaller 4000-footers, accessible by a trail that only runs about 4.6 miles out-and-back, Cannon should not be taken lightly. Especially if you do it in the wintertime. Every time I’ve ascended, there’s been snow at the summit, which begs the question: why the hell haven’t I tried it during the summer?
Mount Passaconaway – 4,079′
Lately, one of my favorite ways to enjoy Passaconaway is to see it from one of the 52 With a View peaks, like Mount Hedgehog. But the views from Passaconaway are pretty fantastic and it’s got me thinking I need to check out again. This time as a single peak quest…
Mount Hale – 4,066′
This one is my least favorite of the 4000-footers. If it weren’t for the list, I’m not sure I’d ever bother with it. Just saying. But it was a rainy day, so I probably need to give it another chance. To make the climb more interesting, I tried my hand at some different settings on my camera to spice things up.
Mount Jackson – 4,052′
The more I climb it, the more Jackson becomes solidified as one of my favorite 4000-footers. It’s easier on the legs than Madison or Washington or Jefferson, but still gets you on the Presidential Ridge. I could do this one again and again without complaint, and that’s saying something because I rarely like to do the same thing twice.
Mount Moriah – 4,047′
Mount Moriah is a great 4000-footer to take on by itself, but can also be the starting point for a full exploration of the Carter-Moriah Range. The single day traverse of these peaks was the hardest one I’ve ever done in New Hampshire. Harder than the Presidential Ridge, the Franconia Loop, you name it. If you take the Carter Moriah Trail from Gorham, you’ll hit Mount Surprise along the way and have excellent views along the entire hike up to Moriah.
Galehead Mountain – 4,029′
The most direct route up to Galehead is the Gale River Trail, but if you’re feeling really adventurous, you can combine this mountain with a beautiful hike of North and South Twin (aka The Twins). While Galehead’s summit is in the trees, the Galehead Hut is situated in a beautiful nook that would make any mountain wanderer very pleased to catch a sunset or sunrise from.
Owl’s Head – 4,029′
Owl’s Head is deep in the Pemigewasset Wilderness and if you can make an overnight backpacking experience of it, go for it. I’ve only climbed this one as part of a day trip and it’s a long day. There’s a slide scramble near the top and some wonderful views—especially in autumn—but Owl’s Head is a more of a solitary experience than a lot of the other 4000-footers. This is the one where you go into some extra deep contemplations about life!
Mount Whiteface – 4,018′
Whiteface offers spectacular views of Lake Winnipesaukee from some open rock faces known as the “Ledges.” The actual summit is shrouded in trees, marked by a cairn, but there are plenty of rewards along the trail to make this mountain worth a visit. If you’re looking for a big adventure, you can loop this one with Mount Passaconaway.
Mount Waumbek – 4,011′
Waumbek is one of the easiest 4000-footers to climb and you get the bonus of climbing a “52 With a View” peak for the effort. Starr King, which has the remnants of an old chimney at its summit, has a beautiful open view, and after enjoying a nice break there, you only have a short effort to reach Waumbek.
Mount Isolation – 4,003′
A lot of people finish their 4000-footer quest on Mount Isolation, mostly because it’s quite remote and they put it off until they’ve completed everything else on the list. I tried to finish up on the iconic Bondcliff, but I realized after my first attempt of Isolation that I had failed to summit and a return trip was needed. Prepare to not see many people out there as it is an aptly named peak, but also expect great views of Glen Boulder and from the summit!
Mount Tecumseh – 3,997′
As of this writing, the latest recorded height of Tecumseh is 3,997 feet. When I wrote 4000s by 40, it was listed at 4,003′, so like every other aging person on earth, I guess the old guy is shrinking. But whatever its true height is, it’s a great climb and still qualifies as an official 4000-footer by the AMC. These photos come from a mix of March, May, and November conditions.
See you out there!