 |
Web Hosting by Netfirms | Free Domain Names by Netfirms |
|
|
|
| Home | Trail Descriptions | Articles | Links | Seasonal Tips | Forum |
The Hale Brook Trail runs from the Zealand Road to the summit of Mount Hale, one of the easier 4000-footer hikes in dry summer conditions. It becomes nearly twice as hard in the off season when the Zealand Road is gated and you must walk in. Unfortunately, views are limited since the fire tower was removed and the scrub has grown up.
There is an old rumor that some of the rocks on the summit are strongly magnetic, although there are no reports of anyone finding any recently. Bring your compass, and if you find any magnetic rocks please report their location on the Forum.
Distance: About 2.3 miles one-way
Elevation gain: About 2300 feet, nominal on return
Maps:
USGS Crawford Notch, South Twin Mountain
AMC Franconia-Pemigewasset
Location: White Mountains Region
NH 2003-2004 map G-7
DeLorme NHA&G 44-C1/2 - Bethlehem
The trail is located on the Zealand Road off US Route 302 near Twin Mountain
Trailhead: Parking area off Zealand Road about 2.5 miles from US Route 302, elevation about 1780 feet
Follow US Route 302 about 2.2 miles E from its junction with US Route 3 in Twin Mountain, turn R on Zealand and proceed 2.5 miles to parking lot on R
44.2362°N, 71.4871°W (WGS84)
WMNF fee site
Far End: Summit of Mount Hale, elevation about 4054 feet
Owner: White Mountain National Forest
Maintainer: WMNF
Special regulations: No camping within 1/4 mile of trailhead
The Hale Brook Trail leaves the parking area and soon begins a steady ascent on what is mostly gravel with many log steps and waterbars. At .8 miles it crosses two branches of Hale Brook and runs away from the brook before climbing uphill, now the trail is rougher with stone steps. A long sidehill traverse to the L returns the trail to the brook, then the trail makes four switchbacks before climbing more directly to the summit at 2.3 miles. On the return, take the trail heading E off the summit.
The summit contains a large cairn and old fire tower foundations. Besides the way you came up, the Lend-a-Hand Trail leaves the summit S for Zealand Hut and the old firewarden's trail (shown on 15' quad but no longer officially maintained) leaves N for the North Twin Trail.
The Zealand Road is gated from mid-November to mid-May, hikers may use the snowmobile parking lot .1 miles E on US Route 302 which is plowed. The road may be packed for skiing, and snowmobiles use short sections including the bridges.
Map Notes: The USGS map does not show the present parking area.
Summit Mount Hale
| Start a discussion about this page | e-mail Content Manager |