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About


Bear Mountain
Hebron, NH

Trailheads, measurements, times, distances, and maps are all approximate and relative to the hike(s) as shown below.
Looking up the steep Bear Mountain Trail
Looking up the steep Bear Mountain Trail

Route: Bear Mountain Trail, Elwell Trail, (Bear Mountain), Elwell Trail, Bear Mountain Trail

Having previously climbed Bear Mountain in less than optimal spring conditions, I headed back over on a cloudy afternoon.

The Bear Mountain Trail started off fairly gently - by the look of the footbed, it's not heavily travelled. After crossing a dry brookbed, the trail climbed steeply, eventually hitting some minor scrambles. For a small-ish mountain (compared to larger peaks nearby), the ascent is certainly a workout.

The Elwell Trail looked much better travelled. After heading over a few ups and downs, I eventually reached the near-summit ledge (the footbed suddenly looks much less travelled after it) and then did a dozen or two foot bushwhack up to what I think is the highpoint (an old trail marker is near the top of it).

The views from the near-summit ledge were decent - Newfound Lake was blue in the foreground, whilst Plymouth Mountain and the Ossipees could be seen in the distance.

The descent went fairly smoothly, though I did take my time coming back down the steeps.


Hike Ratings
Getting To Trailhead: Easy
Destination: Bear Mountain
Length: Moderate
Steepness: Very Difficult
Navigation: Easy
Views: Excellent
Crowds: Minimal


Hike Stats
Date Hiked: Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Hike Commenced: 4:57 PM
Parking Elevation: 950'
Destination: Bear Mountain
Ascent Commenced: 4:57 PM
Summit Reached: 5:22 PM
Time Elapsed: 00:25
Trailhead Elevation: 940'
Summit Elevation: 1,847'
Vertical Gain: 967'
Hike Ended: 5:59 PM
Hike Time Elapsed: 01:02
Hike Vertical Gain: 1,037'


The Bear Mountain Trail trailhead on Bear Mountain Road
The Bear Mountain Trail trailhead on Bear Mountain Road

Looking at Newfound Lake from near the summit of Bear Mountain - Click to enlarge
Looking at Newfound Lake from near the summit of Bear Mountain

Topographic map of Bear Mountain


Directions to trailhead: From Bristol, take US 3A North, then take a left onto West Shore Road. Continue right on West Shore Road when Caridgan Mountain Road branches off straight. Eventually, after pulling back away from the lake, take a left onto Bear Mountain Road. Where Panorama Lane goes uphill to the right, continue straight onto the dirt Bear Mountain Road. The Bear Mountain Trail trailhead will eventually be on the right. There is limited room to park roadside at a fork in the road just beyond the trailhead.

Back to Bear Mountain Profile




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