New Hampshire is full of natural wonders to explore, from the majesty of the White Mountains to the tranquil beauty of our lakes. If you haven't been to Lost River Gorge, though, you're missing out one on of the state's most unique natural wonders.
Lost River Gorge is located in Kinsman Notch in North Woodstock. The gorge and caves were created when Ice Age glaciers melted and the newly rushing water dragged debris that carved chasms in the rock.
Now the gorge is owned by a conservation association and operated as a tourist attraction so you can experience the geological marvel yourself. Take a walk across the extensive criss-crossing network of boardwalks to see the natural marvels of the gorge.
If you're looking for extra excitement, you can take a nighttime lantern tour of the caverns. Another add-on popular with kids offers the chance to pan for gemstones or shark teeth.
As we have written about previously here at Only In Your State, New Hampshire's northernmost settlement of Pittsburg is as far away as you can get from the busier southern part of the state without needing a passport. It's one of my favorite places to get away for a remote New Hampshire hike. This is a vast region that borders Vermont, Maine, and Quebec. The human population is limited to a small area with the rest of Pittsburg being owned by lumber companies or the state. Outside of the main population center, you are likely to encounter more moose than people.
It's this wild character of Pittsburg that makes it a haven for outdoor activities such as camping, hiking, fishing, and boating. Every time I visit, I like to think of it as experiencing a little bit of Canada without crossing the border.
While New Hampshire is known for its multitude of mountains that can be hiked on foot, the upper reaches of the state are a bit different. There are plenty of hills and mountains in Pittsburg but only a select few are accessible by footpath. One of these is the remote Magalloway Mountain, which has a fire tower at the summit that boasts panoramic views into three states and two countries.
Magalloway is one of those hikes where the journey is as much a part of the adventure as the destination. Depending on where home is for you, driving up to Pittsburg can take several hours on its own. Once here, the trip to the trailhead involves a five-mile drive along Magalloway Road, a good gravel road that is frequently used by fast-moving logging trucks (who always have the right-of-way). The final leg of three miles is along a rough road known as Tower Road. This road is somewhat notorious for being narrow with washouts in places. Travel is slow and a high-clearance vehicle is recommended. That said, I've driven it three times in a regular car with no issues. Just gotta go take it easy! It's always hard to predict what the conditions of this road will be each year as the winters seem to bring constant change. One year, the beavers did a number on it and flooded part of the road. All part of the adventure!
From the tiny trailhead, eight miles from the nearest paved highway, hikers can ascend to the summit via Coot Trail (shorter and steeper; the jeep road for the fire tower) or Bobcat Trail (a bit longer but more gradual). I like to make a loop by going up Coot and down Bobcat.
Once on top, you can climb the tower for the views or do a short side trip on Overlook Trail. This path leads right along the edge of high cliffs on the east side of the mountain (use caution due to some sheer drop-offs). These cliffs provide wide views over the vastness of Pittsburg and out toward Maine.
Magalloway Mountain is also on the 52 With A View hiking list and has the distinction of being the northernmost hike on that list. But you don't need to be chasing lists to pay a visit to this wild mountain, just a sense of adventure. For more information on this remote New Hampshire hike, check out the AMC White Mountain Guide for descriptions of Coot and Bobcat Trails, and to get driving directions. You can also check out the chapter on Magalloway in New Hampshire's 52 With A View - A Hiker's Guide for additional details.
Since this is a long drive for most, also take the time to check out other neat spots in Pittsburg, including Garfield Falls and Deer Mountain.
I've covered a lot of ground in New Hampshire during the eight years I've been living here as both a hiker and nature lover and editor/author of guidebooks for hikers. I've been very fortunate to see a lot of the hidden corners of the state that a lot of folks get to visit. But that doesn't mean I know every single spot in the state. Far from it! That's why I was excited to recently learn of Gilman Pond Conservation Area which, as it turns out, is one of the best short hikes in Alton. To be fair, I'd driven by the main trailhead for this area before but didn't stop to explore at the time. As such, it pretty much faded from memory until I saw a friend had been there recently and he suggested I check it out.
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Gilman Pond Conservation Area's main attraction is its namesake boggy pond, which spans 48 acres. This alone is scenic and depending on the time of day can be a great spot for wildlife viewing opportunities.
Tucked away in the woods along the northeast side of the pond, however, is some interesting geology you might not expect. On this side of the pond, a steep slope rises to the 935-foot summit of a small hill. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) has no official name for this hill but it is sometimes informally known as "Gilman Pond Hill."
This slope is comprised of craggy, terraced cliffs that rise from shoreline to summit. A short hiking trail system on the hill offers hikers a chance to travel along the rocky base of these cliffs or along the top, where there are some limited views over the pond. For me, any views were secondary as I was thoroughly enjoying the cliffs and marveling at how their layers of rock were stacked upon each other. If there are any geologists in the audience, I'd love to know more about the processes behind this.
Hikers may also notice cut blocks of granite along David Lawrence Trail, which runs along the shore of the pond below the cliffs. These remnants tumbled down from another interesting feature of this hill. At the summit is an abandoned granite quarry. Unfortunately, I couldn't find much information about this quarry and when it was in operation. If you visit the quarry site, you'll see several memorial plaques for members of the Seavey family, who I assume were the owners.
All in all, this was a pleasant surprise of a hike, and now that I know it's here, I'm sure I will return. If you want to check it out too, give the Town of Altonwebsite a visit. You can download a trail map, which also shows the parking locations. (I hiked in from the north but you can also approach from the south). It's surely one of the best short hikes in Alton that is also for anyone with a keen interest in geology. Happy exploring!
