Pitcher Mountain

Before the last heat wave we had decided to go on an easy hike that we had done a couple years ago with the boys.  This would be our first hike with both of them walking, so I was looking for something easy that also had a cool destination at the end of the hike.  Pitcher mountain has both!  For those not familiar with Pitcher Mountain, it is located in Stoddard, NH, has an elevation of 2,153’ with a fire tower at the top of the trail.   The hike is maybe all of a mile round trip and only has a 300’ elevation change, so it’s pretty easy.

We always head down the gated Woods Road to the left of the trail head.  After a short distance you will encounter the sign below, which marks a trail up to the fire tower.

The trail is well worn and well marked with white blazes.  The kids had a good time looking for and pointing the trail markers out as they occur both on the trees and on the rocks as you get towards the top of the trail.

As you get closer to the top the trail is crowded with blueberry bushes.  Unfortunately we were a little too early for some of these tasty treats.

As you make your way through the blueberry bushes the fire tower starts to emerge.

The trail becomes a little rockier, and the kids enjoy scrambling up on the rocks as they continue to close in on the tower.

At the summit you have a great 360-degree view of the surrounding area, so bring some binoculars.  Just make sure you know which end to look through…

The fire tower provides shade and a great conversation piece for the little ones.

There are plenty of places to pull up a seat and eat a quick picnic lunch.

On the way out we leave via the trail in the direction opposite of where we came.  This trail has seen some new additions including a generator and a wider trail than what I remember from just a couple years ago.  All in all a successful outing.