While driving through Stoddard, New Hampshire, we immediately recognized a large, wooden, roadside sign, which displays the name of this short, yet highly rewarding hike to an old mountaintop Fire Tower lookout. With a bit of time to spare, we opted to pay a visit to Pitcher Mountain before the day grew too hot - as has been the trend most days this July, so far.

Being the sixth-highest peak on the New Hampshire Fire Tower challenge list (also a NH 500-highest peak), I knew from prior research and YouTube videos, this relatively easy stroll would offer stunning, 360-degree views - and with skies mostly clear in the morning, we had to jump on the opportunity!

Located along Route 123, just north of Stoddard village, we pulled into a dirt and gravel, hiker parking area, which should accommodate about 10-cars, yet more had shimmied and fit their way along the entrance road drainage gully by the time we departed.

While readying small packs with all essentials for the brief the hike (water, map, snacks, small first aid kit, etc.), Alanna noticed an entrance fee box - this was for hikers to deposit a suggested donation, had they decided to continue northwestwardly, from the fire tower and summit area, to the blueberry fields; $2 per quart seemed a moderate fee these days for fresh fruit - what a great addition to the hike! We conveniently had a foraging basket along for the ride, as we had been enroute to harvest lavender at a nearby farm - there is no way we could turn down juicy blueberries in mid-July heat.

*Beginning along the blue-blazed hiking path*

Into the Andorra Forest we began, and within several rods from the hiker parking area, we were greeted with a small, wooden post which offered a laminated map, emergency instructions, along with suggestions to follow either the white-blazed fire warden road, or blue-blazed foot trail, in which to reach the 2,163’ summit area. At this initial junction, there is also a gated forest road which gradually ascends northwesterly, toward the 1,896’, Hubbard Hill, and beyond.

Into lovely, northern hardwoods, we began along the blue-blazed hiking trail - the shortest, yet steepest approach to reach the summit - and our first destination: the blueberry fields! Footing is very nice along the lower stretch of this footpath; some small rocks abound, but erosion was overall minimal here, along the pine needle-covered pathway. Hardwood leaves provided a green tunnel canopy overhead, and shelter from the morning sun; ferns, grasses, hardwood saplings and Canadian Mayflower sprung up, providing a viridescent glow to the understory, trailside.

*Footing becomes rocky and rugged higher up*

In short order, the blue-blazed trail begins a near straight-shot up the southwestern aspect of Pitcher Mountain; many glacially dropped boulders begin to also appear trailside as the footing becomes somewhat rugged and moderately eroded down the center, albeit, never too loose underfoot to become hazardous.

We were afforded a fine stroll as stands of white pine began appearing; nearing the top of the brief climb, exposed bedrock and boulders emerge from the treadway - all the while, the path of least resistance is obvious - some ledges appear in the upper section, which would become slick in wet, or winter conditions.

Through a brief section of trail-hugging, tighter growth - which appeared to have been trimmed back recently, as clippings remained on the footway; in about 0.25-mile from departing the parking area, we had topped out, finding ourselves in chest-high berry bushes. Ripe, red raspberries initially greeted us, however, the real treat can be located just off to the left. By following the white-blazed, Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, tall blueberry bushes abound, lining either side of the trail.

*Blueberry bushes line the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway*

“One for the basket, two for us”, was the modus operandi - at least for how I harvested these ripe, juicy blueberries. Certainly, innumerable unripe blueberries were left for those who came after us - several other folks were spread around the vast ridgelet, we tried to keep our harvesting to either trailside, or places which had already been subject to mild trampling - lots of grasses and ferns tightened in the narrow path.

After picking blueberries for a short while - we were waiting for a boisterous family to have lunch and vacate the fire tower area - we meandered over to, and took our turn climbing the fire tower steps for a pleasant view to the surrounding hillside.

*Rolling hills accompany the lookout tower views*

Originally, constructed as an open-top, wooden, fire lookout tower, the current, 25’ steel structure, was erected following the devastating Marlow-Stoddard fire of spring 1941 - during which, many homes, and some 27,000’-acres of land and timber were consumed by the blaze; thankfully, not a single life was said to have been lost.

*Mt Monadnock distant, from the fire lookout tower*

Swinging around the vista - Mount Monadnock (3,170’) dominated the southward panorama; Crotched Mountain, southeasterly; Kearsarge and Lovewell Mountains could be picked out on the northeastern skyline; a local favorite for us - Mount Ascutney, was visible northeasterly; Stratton Mountain and other Vermont peaks rose in the east - while hundreds of lesser, nearly indiscernible summits provided a beautiful, rolling hillside in all directions. Luckily, clouds remained high enough to see far into the distance; a slight breeze cooled us off before continuing the downward ramble off Pitcher Mountain.

While trying to remain atop exposed ledges and bedrock surrounding the summit area, I was able to locate one, small, State of New Hampshire survey benchmark while departing. The fire tower is certainly neat; while we are certainly thankful for it providing an elevated glimpse into the rolling hillside of lower New Hampshire, being clad in all types of radio and relay equipment, unfortunately, did not make us want to linger in its radio waves.

Opting for a slightly longer downslope stroll, with blueberry basket in hand, we continued following the white-blazed Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, southward initially, before looping back toward the parking lot to the west. Short, quick steps over rocky, rugged footing brought us to the old, wooden, ranger cabin - which, as of this writing, was unfortunately, shroud in unsightly graffiti - most of which would not be appropriate for young hikers eyes; this seems to be a growing trend in mountains all over, hence the reason I teach, and practice Leave No Trace principles. These historic places should be left in proper condition for the next generation of hikers and outdoor enthusiasts to appreciate and enjoy.

*Trailside views spill out to the adjacent pasture*

Swinging beyond a large generator, which resides just off trail, the narrow pathway spills out onto a wider, older, access road which would have enabled forestry crews to access the cabin, and bring supplies to the upper mountaintop. Shortly into the descent, boulders edge a stunning, east-facing glimpse across the pasture of Pitcher Mountain Farm, who raises Scottish Highland on their historic, 220-acre farm.

*Descending Pitcher Mountain via the old, Fire Ranger Road*

Continuing to descend, footing remained excellent as we traversed down the hard-packed, earthen, access road. With a northwestwardly swing, we left the open pastures behind and strolled back into familiar, northern hardwoods; tall, white pines greeted as we re-entered the hiker parking area. With a donation left in the lock box, we were thankful to have made the unexpected trek of Pitcher Mountain, its lookout fire tower, and of course, the lush, blueberry fields located around 2,140’.

If you are looking for a short, but highly rewarding hike (either with family, friends, or solo), whether to check-off a peak on the New Hampshire Fire Tower Challenge list, or just a stunning vista in which to rejoice in either sunrise or sunset - Pitcher Mountain is a great choice - offering the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway, and several surrounding forest roads to make extended treks through the beautiful Andorra Forest.

Overall stats for the day:
0.85-miles
55-minutes (lots of blueberry picking)
350’ elevation gain

Pitcher Mountain - 2,163’

Pitcher Mtn Fire Tower

Cranberry Lake 50

Mt Adams via Kings Ravine