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While Mount Chocorua is only about the 100th highest mountain in New Hampshire, its large bare summit readily visible from all directions gives it a much larger stature among hikers than its elevation would suggest. From the S over Chocorua Lake it appears as a rock pyramid, from the E it is more like a camel's hump, and from the N more of a shark's fin. Easy access makes it one of the most popular mountain hikes in New Hampshire.
The National Geodetic Survey gives the elevation of the summit marker as 3474 feet while the USGS map shows a 3480-foot contour. Purists can argue over the exact elevation but hikers can just go to the top however high it is.
Mount Chocorua had one of the early fire lookouts in the area, and an exposed fire stand from this era stood on the summit until recently. When the Forest Service wanted to build an enclosed fire tower, public pressure to leave the skyline alone resulted in the now-abandoned lookout being built on Middle Sister instead.
There are many versions of the Chocorua legend, one of which is displayed on a historical marker near Chocorua Lake. The common feature seems to be that an Indian named Chocorua plunged from the summit to his death, uttering a curse upon white men. The curse originally applied to farmers whose crops died, but has apparently now been extended to backpackers unable to find a convenient legal camping spot.
All trails join before climbing to the summit up a single path, and all trails involve some rock scrambling with probable use of hands. Remember what happened to Chocorua and stay off the mountain when it is slippery.
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2004-2005 map I-8
DeLorme NHA&G 44-D7
Owner: White Mountain National Forest, some approaches private
Special regulations: No fires or camping are allowed in the Mount Chocorua Scenic Area (upper portion of the mountain) except at Jim Liberty Cabin and Camp Penacook
All distances are approximate and one-way, from the specified trailhead to the summit of Chocorua. Two different routes from the same trailhead can be combined into a loop. Several minor trails are not included in this list.
Elevation gain: About 2300 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
Location: Albany - DeLorme NHA&G 44-K6 - [N 43.990, -71.299 W]
Trailhead: NH Route 112 about 11 miles W of Rte.16, elevation approx. 1260 feet
WMNF fee site
Elevation gain: About 3000 feet on the ascent, and 200 feet back over Three Sisters on descent
Location: Albany - DeLorme NHA&G 41-A8 - [entrance N 43.9534, -71.2137 W]
Trailhead: NH Route 16 5.1 miles S of NH Route 112, elevation approx. 750 feet
WMNF fee site
Campground not plowed in winter, must park outside.
Elevation gain: About 2700 feet on the ascent, minor on descent via Piper Trail
Location: Albany - DeLorme NHA&G 41-B8 - [entrance N 43.9396, -71.2261 W]
Trailhead: End of side road off NH Route 16, behind Davies General Store about 6.2 mi. S of NH Route 112, elevation approx. 770 feet
WMNF fee site
If hikers parking lot is not plowed in winter, fee parking is available at the store.
Elevation gain: About 2900 feet on the ascent, 100 feet on descent
Location: Tamworth - DeLorme NHA&G 40-B7 - [@Rte.16 N 43.9201, -71.2421 W]
Trailhead: Scott Road .4 miles off NH Route 16 about 8.1 miles S of NH Route 112, elevation approx. 610 feet
Scott Road is not plowed, so off-season you have to park at NH Route 16
Elevation gain: About 2600 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
Location: Albany - DeLorme NHA&G 40-B6 - [N 43.9174, -71.2938 W]
Trailhead: Gate on Paugus Mill Road, elevation approx. 900 feet
WMNF fee site
Winter status unknown.
NA
Last pitch of trail up Chocorua
Three Sisters from Chocorua
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