It is very clear to me that a week without mountains has a significant impact on my health. My metabolism slows down, my body gets restless, and everything about my spirit starts to sag a little bit. Due to logistics and some extracurriculars with the fam, I almost let last week go by without a climb, but on Thursday morning I set all other responsibilities aside and gave myself time to head out to do the only thing that seems to put my body back on track. I’m so glad I did.
Can’t Go Wrong With the “52 WAV”
My goal for the day was to tackle Pine Mountain, another peak on New Hampshire’s “52 With a View” list. I’m almost halfway through the list, even though I never really set out to do it. But I’ve had such beautiful climbs with every peak on it that I figure I might as well use it now as a guide for more great experiences. I think when I first heard about the list, I was already fifteen mountains deep. Now I’m at 22 or so. Might as well keep going, right?
I remember the first time I looked through the list, thinking, Hey, I loved that mountain! And that one! And that one, too! What’s going on here? What is this list? Now I don’t even think about it much. I just pull it up on Peakbagger.com, see what the smallest one is that I haven’t done yet, and target it for the next adventure. I figure while I’m steadily improving my endurance and athleticism, I’ll work my way up the list as a natural progression for my body. It’s been a good plan so far.
Not the Pine Link Trail
If you approach Pine Mountain from the Randolph side, you’ll come to a trailhead for the Pine Link Trail, which takes you up Mount Madison. To hit Pine Mountain, you do want to park here—but then you need to turn around and hike in the opposite direction, down the dirt road. About 0.9 miles down, you’ll come to a sign for the Ledge Trail. If you’re thinking of looping Pine Mountain, this is the route you’ll want to ascend.
The Ledge Trail is only 0.6 miles long, according to the sign, but it’s steep—and a little slick with all the rain we’ve been having. I found one spot that was a little hinky and could easily see someone sliding right off the mountain on a wet descent. It’s better to go up the Ledge Trail and down the Pine Mountain Trail, which is primarily involves that aforementioned dirt road.
Every summit on the 52 WAV list has had killer views so far, and Pine Mountain was no different. As I work my way through the smaller ones, I’ve been debating which is the easiest. First, I thought it might be Middle Sugarloaf. Then I thought it might be Willard. Now I’m thinking it might be Pine Mountain. I can’t decide. Pine is short, although you can make it longer if you incorporate Chapel Rock, a small neighboring peak that’s definitely worth a look if you’re there when it’s not closed to the public.
Chapel Rock
I was following someone else’s GPS track I found on Peakbagger.com, so I didn’t know anything about Chapel Rock when I first looked out from the “Chapel View” spot on Pine Mountain. A beautiful sanctuary in its own right, the Chapel View lookout has a bench, an Adirondack shelter, and a sweeping view of the valley below with—wait, is that a cross in the distance? It is a cross in the distance! Well, whaddyaknow about that?
I heard voices and spotted a couple of people across the way. There was no question where I was going next.
Chapel Rock, it turns out, is on private land. When I hiked over to it, I saw a sign for a place called the Horton Center and got the sense I was probably supposed to steer clear. But it wasn’t until I got home and googled the center that I realized the path to Chapel Rock is actually closed to hikers when camp is in session.
The Horton Center
According to the Horton Center website, camp sessions begin on June 22 this year and run through August, so I believe it was ok when I visited on the 19th. Phew! But if anyone from the Horton Center reads this and I happened to be there when I shouldn’t have been—I’m very sorry.
If anyone knows of more specific closure dates beyond the listed camp start times, please feel free to share in the comments. As far as I can tell, it looks like the next time you can hike there is after August 3rd.
If you’re willing to hold off until that date, you’ll be in for a stunning, rewarding hike. Seeing a cross on a mountainside holds a special kind of allure—especially when you’re not expecting it. So… I guess I ruined that for you. But have faith! It’s still every bit as beautiful as you can imagine!
During Camp Season: Chapel View
When camp is in session, you can still get a terrific view of Chapel Rock from the “Chapel View” spot on Pine Mountain. Pine doesn’t seem to be a heavily traveled destination, so you’re likely to enjoy some quiet solitude while resting on the bench, looking out over the valley below. I wish I had known about it beforehand—I would’ve brought a notebook.
The bench at the “Chapel View” lookout
View from Chapel Rock. The bench in the previous picture is nestled somewhere in the trees near the peak’s summit.
Looking out from Pine Mountain in the direction of Chapel Rock.
In the Mountains
Each week I try to hit a mountain to clear my head and gain traction on the other writing projects I’m working on. Because of my love of the mountains, I usually share a post per week about a place I visited, hoping to encourage others to find these beautiful places—and respect them. If you are interested in discovering more hiking adventures, check out In the Mountains on this website.
Forgot about that mountain on the 52 list. I had the same luck as you did, I hiked during the window that the Horton Center was closed. Amazing property, and fantastic views!
Loved it! I couldn’t find much about it online, either before or after the hike. Hardly a picture, too. The parking at the Pine Link trailhead also threw more than a few off the trail, as several people told me they headed that way first before realizing the route was down the dirt road.