Name: Mt Major / Straightback Thanksgiving Day Hike
Start: 2024-11-28T08:30:00-05:00
End: 2024-11-28T11:30:00-05:00

Mt. Major plus Straightback Mountain
Length: 4.7 mile loop
I added the extra miles for Straightback and Beaver Pond

Difficulty Moderate

Elevation Gain: 1301 feet

Elevation: 1909'

Driving Directions:
Trailhead and parking area are located on Rt. 11 in Alton, NH, 5.4 miles north of Rt. 140.

Mt. Major is the easternmost peak in the Belknap Range, and also the closest to Lake Winnipesaukee. Its panoramic view of Lake Winnipesaukee is one of the best, and it is accessible via a very short, though steep and rocky, hike.

The Mt. Major Trail begins in the northwest corner of the parking area; it is to the right of Brook Trail. The trail starts as a wide dirt path running along the base of the mountain. It begins climbing initially, but flattens out after awhile, reaching a junction in 0.7 miles. Turn left, uphill, onto Mt. Major Trail as Brook Trail continues ahead on the wide road. The trail quickly becomes steep and rocky. After a steep, ledgy, half-mile climb, the trail forks. The right fork (the main trail) negotiates several steep rock scrambles, while the left fork (Ledge Detour) avoids them. Both paths rejoin after 0.1 miles. The trail soon emerges from the forest and onto open rock, where views appear. The summit is reached in 0.1 miles. From the summit, there are very wide and close-up views of Lake Winnipesaukee. To the east are Copple Crown Mountain and the Moose Mountains. To the north is the circular Ossipee Range. The Sandwich Range of the White Mountains is a prominent feature across the lake to the left of the Ossipees. The smaller Squam Range also occupies a portion of the scene further to the left. To the west, the distant view is blocked by nearby Straightback Mountain and Quarry Mountain. Belknap Mountain, the highpoint of the range, pokes out between these two. The area around the summit itself is fairly large and provides many places to sit and enjoy the view; one spot on the southeast side provides a particularly nice view of Alton Bay. The remains of an old fire lookout stands at the highest point.

To descend from Mt. Major we hike over to the top of the Straightback Mountain down the back side of Straightback to the Jesus Valley-Beaver Pond Trail. From here, the woods road continues 12miles to the parking area
Be prepared to respond to an emergency situation. Bring your own gear including maps and compass and know how to use them. Be prepared to spend a night in the woods if you have to. If you underestimate the demands of this event; overestimate your experience, knowledge, skills or abilities; or come unprepared you put yourself and/or others at risk.
Dogs are not permitted on this trip.
Per Club policy, no guests please. Have your guest join the group so they can agree to the liability release and attend an event.
As a condition of attending this activity you agree to release, hold harmless, and indemnify the organizer(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, and/or death, including those caused by negligence and/or other reasons. You also agree to assume all risk associated with this activity and agree to know and follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com. The leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, and/or death - including those caused by negligence .

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Mt Major / Straightback Thanksgiving Day Hike 

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Mt Major / Straightback Thanksgiving Day Hike

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