Hubbry Logo
Mount MajorMount MajorMain
Open search
Mount Major
Community hub
Mount Major
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Mount Major
Mount Major
Mount Major
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

Mount Major is a mountain located in Alton, New Hampshire, south of Lake Winnipesaukee and northeast of Straightback Mountain in the Belknap Range.

Key Information

The scenic, rocky summit is a popular hiking destination, accessible by multiple trails including the Mount Major Trail, the Brook Trail, and the Boulder Loop. The easiest trail is the Mount Major Trail. It is marked with blue dashes.

The north, east and south faces of Mount Major drain into Lake Winnipesaukee, thence via the Winnipesaukee River into the Merrimack River and finally into the Gulf of Maine in Massachusetts. The west ridge of Mount Major rises only 186 feet (57 m) feet above the col with the higher Straightback Mountain. The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests owns three parcels of land on the west, north, and east sides of the mountain.[3]

Panoramic view from Mount Major

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Mount Major

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Mount Major is a 1,786-foot (545 m) peak in the Belknap Mountains, located in the town of Alton in , , approximately 4.2 miles north of Alton Bay along Route 11. It forms part of the Mount Major State Forest and is celebrated for its short, accessible hiking trails that ascend through hardwood forests, boulder fields, and steep ledges to a rocky summit offering panoramic vistas of , the Lakes Region, and distant White Mountains. Geologically, the mountain exemplifies the White Mountain magma series, featuring spectacular exposures of Albany quartz syenite intruded by Meredith porphyritic granite at the summit, remnants of volcanic ring-dike structures formed approximately 173 million years ago during the Epoch. As one of 's most visited destinations, Mount Major draws an estimated 80,000 visitors annually, supported by three primary s: the 3-mile Main Trail (blue-blazed, 1,150 feet elevation gain), the 3.4-mile Brook Trail (yellow-blazed, 925 feet gain), and the 3.2-mile Boulder Loop Trail (orange-blazed, 1,150 feet gain), all leading to the open alpine-like summit. The site's popularity has prompted ongoing maintenance and sustainability efforts to mitigate from heavy use, including a major relocation and reconstruction project completed in 2024. In 2015, the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests spearheaded a $1.6 million conservation campaign, securing 200 acres of the mountain's eastern slopes in partnership with the state and local groups to prevent development and preserve its ecological integrity. Historical remnants, including the ruins of "Mr. Phippen's Hut"—a structure built in the early 1900s by landowner George Phippen to provide shelter and for overnight stays for s—and nearby farm cellar holes, highlight the area's past as a site for small-scale settlement and recreation.

Geography

Location and elevation

Mount Major is situated in the town of Alton, , . It lies within the Belknap Range, positioned south of and northeast of Straightback Mountain. The mountain's coordinates are approximately 43°30′49″N 71°17′14″W. The elevation of Mount Major reaches 1,786 feet (544 m) above sea level, as measured by data from the U.S. Geological Survey. Its is 192 feet (59 m), indicating the height of the above the lowest encircling it without higher peaks. The mountain appears on the West Alton quadrangle of the USGS series.

Topography and hydrology

Mount Major features a prominent rocky summit at 1,786 feet (544 m), characterized by exposed ledges that form a scenic providing panoramic vistas of and the broader Lakes Region. The mountain's slopes exhibit varied characteristics, with lower elevations covered in dense hardwood forests that give way to steeper, more challenging ascents in the upper sections, where vegetation thins to reveal bare rock and open ledges. As part of the Belknap Mountains, Mount Major sits within a landscape of undulating ridges and valleys typical of New Hampshire's hilly Lakes Region, where rolling hills and forested slopes contribute to the area's dynamic terrain. Hydrologically, precipitation and from the mountain collect in adjacent streams and brooks, draining eastward into Alton Bay, a southern arm of . The lake's primary outflow travels via the Winnipesaukee River, which merges with the near Franklin to form the ; this major waterway then flows southward approximately 116 miles before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at the .

Geology

Geological formation

Mount Major forms part of the Belknap Mountains ring-dike complex within the White Mountain Igneous Province, emplaced approximately 180 to 150 million years ago through cauldron and magmatic injections along arcuate fractures. This complex intrudes older metamorphic and plutonic rocks, including the Littleton Formation and members of the Plutonic Series. The host Littleton Formation consists of sedimentary rocks deposited during the period, more than 360 million years ago, in an that covered much of . These sediments, primarily muds and sands sourced from areas near the , accumulated before undergoing intense regional and folding during the Middle to Late Devonian Acadian (around 390 to 360 million years ago). High temperatures and pressures recrystallized them into schists and gneisses, with crustal compression forming synclines and overturned beds characteristic of Appalachian mountain-building. Subsequent plutonic intrusions from the Plutonic Series, such as the Winnipesaukee quartz and Meredith porphyritic , were emplaced into these metamorphosed rocks, altering the structure prior to the events. The ring-dikes, including monzodiorite, , and , exploited weaknesses in these older units, creating the resistant core that defines the mountain's topography.

Rock composition

The lower slopes of Mount Major are underlain by metamorphic rocks of the Littleton Formation, subdivided into the Pittsfield Member (northern areas: , sillimanite , sillimanite , quartz-mica ) and the Jenness Pond Member (southern areas: quartz-mica , andalusite , pyrrhotitic ), reflecting variations in original sedimentary protoliths after Acadian metamorphism. The upper mountain and summit, however, are dominated by Jurassic igneous rocks of the White Mountain Plutonic-Volcanic Suite, particularly the Albany porphyritic quartz syenite, which forms ring-dikes and exhibits spectacular exposures intruding the older Devonian Meredith porphyritic granite. In the northwest, the Devonian Winnipesaukee quartz diorite (medium-grained, gray) and Jurassic Conway granite (pink, medium-grained) occur as cross-cutting bodies. Southwestward, binary granite from the Devonian New Hampshire Plutonic Series appears as a light-colored pluton. Mineralogical features include pyritiferous and pyrrhotitic schists in the Littleton Formation, contributing iron sulfides, while pegmatites rich in and occur in adjacent areas like Parker Mountain, indicative of late-stage magmatic differentiation. These assemblages position Mount Major within the Merrimack Synclinorium, with its cap rocks exemplifying the White Mountain Igneous Province.

History

Early human use

The Belknap Range, including Mount Major, lies within the traditional territory of the , an Algonquian-speaking Indigenous confederacy that inhabited southern and central prior to European colonization. Archaeological and historical records indicate limited specific evidence of Pennacook activity on Mount Major itself, though the broader Lakes Region served as a resource area for hunting, fishing, and seasonal migration routes connected to larger villages along the and . The Pennacook population in the region declined sharply in the 17th and 18th centuries due to diseases introduced by , warfare, and land dispossession, leading to the dispersal or assimilation of surviving communities. European settlement in the Mount Major area began in the 18th century, as part of the broader colonial expansion into New Hampshire's Lakes Region following land grants from the provincial government. Early settlers cleared land for agriculture, establishing farms on the lower slopes evidenced by surviving stone cellar holes, small family cemeteries, and remnants of field walls that mark former pastures and croplands. These homesteads supported subsistence farming typical of the period, with crops such as corn, potatoes, and hay, alongside livestock grazing, though the rocky terrain limited large-scale operations and contributed to farm abandonment by the mid-19th century as settlers sought more fertile soils elsewhere. In the early 20th century, the mountain saw recreational use, including the of "Mr. Phippen's Hut" on the summit by landowner Charles Phippen for blueberry picking and overnight stays; ruins of the structure remain visible today. During the , timber extraction became a significant activity in the Belknap Mountains, with old roads and skid trails on Mount Major's flanks providing access for operations that harvested pine, hemlock, and hardwood for local mills and . These early efforts altered the landscape, creating openings that later facilitated farm expansion, though intensive clear-cutting waned by the late 1800s amid regional depletion of accessible timber stands. The combination of farming and reflects the initial human modification of the mountain's environment, setting the stage for later conservation priorities.

Conservation efforts

The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests owns key parcels on the west, north, and east sides of Mount Major, acquired through collaborative conservation efforts to safeguard the mountain from development and preserve public access to its trails. In 2013, the "Everybody Hikes Mount Major" campaign, led by the Society for the Protection of Forests in partnership with the Lakes Region Conservation Trust and the Belknap Range Conservation Coalition, launched to raise funds for land and trail protection in the Belknap Mountains; by 2015, it had successfully collected $1.8 million, enabling the conservation of 980 acres across multiple properties, including critical habitats and hiking routes on Mount Major. Trail management initiatives have focused on enhancing sustainability amid increasing visitor traffic. In 2020, the first phase of re-routing the Main Trail was completed by staff and volunteers, addressing erosion by relocating the bottom 500 feet to a more stable path. Building on this, Phase II of the upgrade began in May 2024 with a $300,000 budget, funded partly by a $200,000 grant from the Recreation Trails Program and additional donations, to construct a longer, less steep section with steps for long-term durability; the project was completed in August 2024. Additional programs emphasize responsible recreation and community involvement. In 2019, Mount Major was designated a Hotspot to promote minimal-impact practices among the mountain's estimated 80,000 annual visitors. The following year, a covered and informational with trail maps were installed in the parking area through volunteer efforts to improve visitor orientation. In 2022, the Society launched the Volunteer Trailhead Outreach Program, training volunteers to educate hikers on principles and HikeSafe guidelines at the trailhead, modeled after similar initiatives in the White Mountains and Adirondacks. Educational outreach includes the Mount Major Outdoor Classroom, a free program that connects school groups and camps with guided hikes and pre-visit presentations on the area's , fostering among youth.

Ecology

Flora

The lower slopes of Mount Major are dominated by mixed hardwood-conifer forests characteristic of New Hampshire's Lakes Region, featuring species such as eastern hemlock (), eastern white pine (), red maple (), and northern red oak (), alongside northern hardwoods like sugar maple (), American beech (), and yellow birch (). These forests form a hemlock-hardwood-pine matrix system below 1,500 feet, supporting diverse including hobblebush () and yellow bluebead-lily (Clintonia borealis). At higher elevations and on the open ledges near the summit, vegetation transitions to sparse, scrub-like communities adapted to rocky, wind-exposed conditions, with lichens, mosses, and low-growing shrubs such as oaks (Quercus spp.) and pines (Pinus spp.) dominating the temperate ridge-cliff-talus system. These pioneer species, including various lichens that colonize bare rock, contribute to soil formation in this exposed environment below 2,200 feet. Seasonally, the forests display vibrant spring wildflowers such as painted trillium (Trillium undulatum) and common violets (Viola sororia), which emerge as vernal ephemerals before canopy closure, highlighting the area's biodiversity during self-guided outings. In autumn, the foliage of maples, oaks, and birches creates striking displays of red, orange, and yellow hues typical of the region's temperate broadleaf forests. High visitor traffic on Mount Major's trails has led to soil erosion and off-trail trampling, impacting plants and sensitive ground cover in these communities. Conservation efforts by the Society for the Protection of Forests include trail relocations and sustainable path construction to mitigate these effects and protect the native .

Fauna

Mount Major's fauna reflects the diverse habitats of New Hampshire's Belknap Mountains, ranging from forested slopes to rocky summits, supporting a mix of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians typical of the region's temperate ecosystems. Among the mammals, (Odocoileus virginianus) are commonly sighted in the lower elevations, foraging on understory vegetation, while black bears (Ursus americanus) occasionally roam the wooded areas in search of berries and acorns. (Alces alces), though less frequent in this southern part of the state, may traverse the mountain during seasonal movements. Porcupines (Erethizon dorsatum) inhabit the coniferous forests, often climbing trees for bark and needles, and small rodents like eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) and red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus) are abundant, contributing to and serving as prey for larger predators. The avifauna is particularly diverse, with the mountain's mixed and forests attracting a variety of songbirds and raptors, enhanced by the provided by the surrounding . Birders frequently observe warblers such as the (Seiurus aurocapilla) and (Setophaga virens) in the during breeding season, alongside dark-eyed juncos (Junco hyemalis) and blackpoll warblers (Setophaga striata) in higher elevations, especially during migration. Hawks, including the (Buteo jamaicensis), patrol the open ledges for and smaller birds, while common songbirds like the (Turdus migratorius) and (Poecile atricapillus) fill the canopy with calls year-round. Reptiles and amphibians are more prevalent in the damper, lower trails and streamside areas, where common garter snakes (Thamnophis sirtalis) bask on rocks and wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) breed in temporary pools after spring rains. Salamanders, such as the (Ambystoma maculatum), emerge in moist leaf litter, aiding in insect control. Hikers on self-guided tours along Mount Major's trails can witness dynamic wildlife interactions, such as black bears scavenging or hawks preying on chipmunks, and observe pollinators like native bees and flitting among wildflowers, underscoring the mountain's role in supporting a balanced predator-prey .

Recreation and access

Hiking trails

Mount Major features a network of trails totaling approximately 4.5 miles, maintained by the Society for the Protection of Forests. The primary routes include the Mount Major Trail, blazed in blue, which spans 1.5 miles one way and follows an old logging road before ascending steeply with eroded sections and rock scrambles near the summit; bypass routes are available for the steepest pitches. The Brook Trail, marked with yellow blazes, offers a more gradual 1.7-mile one-way ascent that joins the Mount Major Trail after 0.7 miles, crossing a brook and featuring loose footing through hardwood forest. Serving as a connector, the Boulder Loop Trail, blazed orange, covers 1.6 miles one way and includes boulder fields, plank bridges, and a steep gravelly pitch. Hikers can combine these trails for loop options ranging from 3 to 3.9 miles round trip, such as ascending the Mount Major Trail and descending via the Brook Trail. The routes are moderately challenging overall, rated as advanced in sections due to steepness and scrambles, though the short distances allow completion in 2 to 3 hours with 925 to 1,150 feet of elevation gain. Access begins at a signed area on the west side of NH Route 11, located 4.2 miles north of Alton Bay or 2.4 miles south of the NH 11/NH 11A junction in Alton, . The Mount Major Trail starts from the right side of the lot, while the Boulder Loop departs from the left; the Brook Trail is reachable via the initial segment of the Mount Major Trail. In 2024, the Society for the Protection of Forests completed a $300,000 sustainability upgrade, reconstructing approximately one-third mile of the Mount Major Trail to mitigate and improve durability, with ongoing maintenance thereafter.

Summit views and features

The summit of Mount Major offers panoramic vistas from its open ledges, providing expansive views of to the east and the White Mountains, including the Sandwich Range, to the north. To the south and west, hikers can see the hills of southern , such as Copple Crown Mountain, the Moose Mountains, the Squam Range, and Belknap Mountain. These 360-degree perspectives make the summit a standout destination for low-effort rewards in southern . Structural features at the peak include prominent rocky ledges that serve as natural seating areas amid the exposed terrain. A notable historical remnant is Mr. Phippen's Hut, a roofless stone structure built in 1925 by landowner George Phippen to provide shelter for hikers during inclement weather; its walls, originally designed with a south-facing window and woodstove, remain as a despite vandalism and roof loss in subsequent years. The summit attracts visitors for its photographic opportunities, capturing the lake's islands and distant ranges, as well as for picnicking on the spacious, open areas. With an estimated 80,000 annual visitors as of 2024, the exposed top experiences high use, prompting initiatives like the Hot Spot Program to address trash accumulation, vegetation damage, and through on responsible practices such as packing out waste.

References

  1. https://www.forestsociety.org/property/mount-major-reservation
  2. https://dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/geo/images/NH1997Map.pdf
  3. https://newhampshirebulletin.com/briefs/mount-majors-trails-are-being-loved-to-death-an-ambitious-project-seeks-to-improve-them/
  4. https://www.forestsociety.org/visit-and-explore/mtmajor
  5. https://www.forestsociety.org/mtmajorfaqs
  6. https://www.forestsociety.org/visit-and-explore/mtmajor/history
  7. https://belknaprangetrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Phippens.Hut-REV1.pdf
  8. https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=12545
  9. https://www.topozone.com/new-hampshire/belknap-nh/summit/mount-major-2/
  10. https://belknaprangetrails.org/mt-major/
  11. https://peakvisor.com/range/belknap-mountains.html
  12. http://www.nhfamilyhikes.com/hikes.php?hike=Belknap%20Mountain
  13. https://www.nae.usace.army.mil/Missions/Civil-Works/Navigation/Massachusetts/Merrimack/
  14. https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/2020-01/rl-8.pdf
  15. https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1154&context=neigc_trips
  16. https://www.des.nh.gov/sites/g/files/ehbemt341/files/documents/geo-041-062500-bbbm-alton.pdf
  17. https://belknaprangetrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/GSNH_Field_Trip_Guide_2013.pdf
  18. https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/Geolex/UnitRefs/ConwayRefs_1202.html
  19. https://www.nhptv.org/kn/itv/ournh/ournhtg2.htm
  20. https://indigenousnh.com/2020/01/31/indigenous-heritage-of-southern-new-hampshire-from-the-past-to-the-present/
  21. https://www.nhptv.org/kn/itv/ournh/ournhtg13.htm
  22. https://www.unionleader.com/nh/outdoors/mount-major-lands-protected-after-18-million-fund-drive/article_83528b51-47df-5040-b880-5fa5c9a55562.amp.html
  23. https://www.forestsociety.org/press-release/mt-major-success-campaign-protect-980-acres-belknap-mountains-reaches-summit
  24. https://indepthnh.org/2024/05/20/mount-major-trail-project-underway-this-summer/
  25. https://www.forestsociety.org/visit-and-explore/mtmajor/trailwork
  26. https://www.forestsociety.org/visit-and-explore/mtmajor/groups
  27. https://www.friendsofmountsunapee.org/wp-content/uploads/NH-NHB-Natural-Community-Systems.pdf
  28. https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/wildlife-habitat-program/habitat-types-and-species
  29. https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource000425_Rep447.pdf
  30. https://www.fs.usda.gov/nrs/pubs/ru/ru_fs71.pdf
  31. https://www.forestsociety.org/page/mount-major-visitor-use-survey
  32. https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/species-occurring-nh
  33. https://birdwatchinghq.com/mammals-in-new-hampshire/
  34. https://ebird.org/hotspot/L11772006
  35. https://www.nhaudubon.org/wp-content/uploads/State-of-the-Birds-2020-NH-Audubon-web.pdf
  36. https://www.wildlife.nh.gov/wildlife-and-habitat/nongame-and-endangered-species/reptiles-and-amphibians-new-hampshire
  37. https://www.visitnh.gov/blog/where-to-spot-new-hampshire-s-wildlife
  38. https://www.trailfinder.info/trails/trail/mount-major
  39. https://belknaprangetrails.org/mt-major/blue-trail/
  40. https://www.nhfamilyhikes.com/hikes.php?hike=Mt.%20Major
  41. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/new-hampshire/mount-major-and-brook-trail-loop
  42. https://eu.fosters.com/story/sports/2005/10/16/the-tale-mr-phippen-s/52592257007/
  43. https://www.forestsociety.org/leave-no-trace-hot-spot-program-mount-major
  44. https://lnt.org/hot-spots/mount-major-reservation-state-forest-2019/
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.