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South Mountain is the easiest and most frequently climbed of the three major summits of the Pawtuckaway Mountains in Pawtuckaway State Park. A fire tower and ledges on the summit offer extensive views. This trail is the shortest but rough and eroded in places. South Mountain is a longer hike from the park headquarters and campground off NH Route 156. Note that all of Pawtuckaway State Park is officially closed to pets.
Distance: About .4 miles to summit each way
Elevation gain: About 350 feet, nominal on return
Maps:
USGS Mount Pawtuckaway
AMC Southern NH Trail Guide, page 194 in 1999 edition
Pawtuckaway State Park hiking map
Location: Merrimack Valley Region
NH 2004-2005 map O-8
DeLorme NHA&G 29-H9 - Nottingham
Nottingham is between Concord and Portsmouth, but the road access is from NH Route 107 in Deerfield
State park fee charged for areas near Pawtuckaway Lake but traditionally not collected entering from NH Route 107
Trailhead: Loop road about .8 miles N of Reservation Road, elevation about 540 feet
43.1049°N, 71.1827°W (WGS84)
From I-93 exit 15, go E on I-393 for 4.6 miles until it ends, then continue E on US Route 4/202 passing the Epsom traffic circle at 10.1 miles. At 13.8 miles, turn R on NH Route 107, proceeding S and passing the first junction with NH Route 43 at 19.9 miles and the second at 23.6 miles. At 24.3 miles, turn L on Reservation Road which in summer has a sign for the fire tower.
Upper End: Summit of South Mountain, elevation about 885 feet
Owner: Pawtuckaway State Park
Maintainer: unknown
Special regulations: No camping, fires, or pets
Park trails closed for several months in spring to reduce erosion
From the loop road, the trail to South Mountain heads almost straight uphill past number 6 and a sign for the fire tower. (The path heading downhill is the Mountain Trail back to park headquarters.) It soon crosses a stone wall and turns L on a relocation, then swings back R and wanders among ledges and boulders to the summit and fire tower. You can climb to a platform on the fire tower for views, and if the observer isn't busy, they may invite you into the cab and explain how to detect fires. If the summit area is too crowded, there are other ledges both directions on the South Ridge Trail where you can relax or snack. There may be snakes in warm weather.
Reservation Road plowed to junction at 2.6 miles from NH Route 107 but limited parking there. Loop road past trailhead heavily used by snowmobiles, trail to summit used occasionally.
Park trails closed for several months in spring to reduce erosion.
Map Notes: South Ridge Trail not shown on USGS map
Pawtuckaway State Park hiking map
Pawtuckaway fire tower [2/04]
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