Pitcher Mountain Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway
PHOTO: Yours truly checking out the abandoned Pitcher Mountain Fire Warden’s cabin. The Fire Warden’s Road up Pitcher Mountain is part of the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway.
by Amy Patenaude
Outdoor/Ski Writer
Becca and I started the morning in Center Nelson and followed the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway all the way to the top of Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard.
This section was just over nine miles and it was our third outing in the northbound direction on the Greenway.
The M-S Greenway is 50 miles long and stretches between the summits of its two namesake mountains. We will be end to enders someday, but we are in no big hurry to finish. We’re having a fun time learning about the area as we make our way up the trail.
Pitcher Mountain’s summit is home to one of the fifteen New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands Fire Lookout Towers. The tower is only manned during times of high fire danger, but the stairway is open to the landing just under the cabin. There are excellent views from the tower. If you aren’t fond of towers the views from the summit’s bare ledgy top are excellent too.
The hike to reach the Pitcher Mountain from its parking area on Route 123 is a short hike that most everyone in the family will enjoy. Just 4/10ths of a mile and with an elevation gain of just 300 vertical feet. There are three routes up so it is possible to make a nice loop.
The easiest way is to follow the white blazed M-S Greenway; it gradually ascends the Fire Warden’s Road. Halfway up the trail there is a nice view south over the adjacent pasture. On the right, just before reaching the summit stands the abandoned Fire Warden’s cabin. There is a lock on the door so we peeked in the windows. There were still dishes in the sink and it looked like vandals had wrecked the place.
The other option is to hike the blue-blazed path that is a little shorter and a lot steeper. If you would like a more challenging path take this way up and return on the Greenway/Fire Warden’s Road.
When we reached the summit it was a little cloudy and hazy. Views from the summit can reach far. Mount Monadnock dominates the view to the south and we could see Mount Sunapee just over the shoulder of Lovewell Mountain. On a clearer day according to the guidebook it is possible to spy Mount Ascutney, Mount Greylock and the Taconics.
The blueberry bushes were full of blossoms. Pitcher Mountain and nearby Hubbard Hill are famous for being a blueberry pickers paradise.
After a nice break sitting on rocks and pointing out the nearby peaks we could make out we decided not to go straight back. We continued following the white blazes north across the ridge. Along the path bright purple Azaleas were in bloom next to the numerous blueberry bushes. When the trail hit Hubbard Hill Road we turned left and followed the gravel road back to the parking area. I estimate this added at least another mile or two and was a wonderful longer loop over the mountain.
On Facebook The Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway Trail Club reports that the trail has been busier than we’ve seen before and a resident of Harrisville that lives on the trail commented that they were amazed at all the hikers! They recommend to keep it friendly and fun!
I recommend bringing bug spray and checking for ticks.
Have fun.
Amy Patenaude is an avid skier/outdoor enthusiast from Henniker, N.H. RReaders are welcome to send comments or suggestions to her at: amy@weirs.com.