Support Mount Major Trail Improvements
It’s no wonder Mount Major’s panoramic summit, which boasts views of the Lakes Region and White Mountains, is a highly regarded destination for locals and tourists alike. With an estimated 80,000 visitors annually, though, Mount Major’s trails are being loved to death. Soil erosion, off-trail usage, dog waste, and garbage are just some of the visitor-created impacts Forest Society staff and volunteers contend with throughout the year.
“Mt. Major is the most popular peak in central New Hampshire and has been cited as one of the most climbed mountains in the world. That’s a lot of feet walking on the trails of Mt. Major,” states Wendy Weisiger, managing forester for the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. “The entrance to the Main (Blue)Trail has been perennially wet and slippery for hikers and heavy rains cause severe erosion which impacts water quality in the adjacent brook and nearby Lake Winnipesaukee. This restoration project will repair the eroded trail and provide proper drainage, greatly improving the visitor experience.”
The project began September 8, 2020 as the Forest Society repairs drainage and erosion problems at the base of the Main (Blue) Trail. The parking lot will be temporarily closed (roadside parking ONLY except in designated "no parking" zones) for approximately four weeks during construction so heavy equipment and material can be brought in safely.
The work involves repairing, resurfacing, and properly draining the bottom few hundred feet of trail as it leaves the parking lot. Visitors to Mt. Major will still be able to park along Route 11 and will be directed along the southerly edge of the parking lot safely to the trailhead for the Boulder (Orange) Trail. A temporary trail detour from Boulder Trail to the Main (Blue) Trail provides hiker access to all of the trails.
During this process, the Forest Society will continue to provide visitor services and programming at Mount Major that focus on the importance of strategic land conservation, safe hiking, and land stewardship, as well as providing portable toilets.
However, we can’t fulfill our stewardship goals without your support. Your donation will help us improve the Mt. Major experience for all!
To donate, please use the donation form below or make a contribution through PayPal.