When was the last time I got to one of New Hampshire’s fire towers? Was it Kearsarge or Pawtuckaway? It’s been awhile, at any rate. The other day, everything came together for another tower expedition: perfect weather, access to a car, and an afternoon to myself. I took a beautiful drive to Stoddard for a visit to Pitcher Mountain. It’s not much of a hike – only ten or fifteen minutes from parking lot to tower. The 360º views are splendid, though, and the drive was a treat. Dozens of miles on roads with no traffic signals and not a single Dunkin’ Donuts in sight: how’s that for a Sunday drive?
Pitcher Mountain fire tower, Stoddard NH
I couldn’t miss the small parking lot on Route 123 on Stoddard. There’s a sign, but there’s also a view of the tower from the road.
First peek at the tower, approaching from the east on Rt. 123.
The walk uphill from the parking lot through woods suddenly opens up to a field with a fine view of Monadnock to the south.
Mt. Monadnock in the distance, seen from the path to the Pitcher Mountain fire tower.
From the tower, there was a full panorama on a nearly cloudless day. Monadnock is the most prominent feature, but plenty of other peaks are visible as well. I had the second edition of Hiking the Monadnock Region (a fine guidebook by Joe Adamowicz) to help me identify some of them.
Wind farm in Lempster, seen from the fire tower
For more about New Hampshire fire towers:
One of the most interesting local publications in my collection is a little orange booklet called A Field Guide to New Hampshire Firetowers by Iris W. Baird and Chris Haartz (2002). Look for used copies online. The booklet includes a short history of all the currently operating towers in the state, along with notes on other towers that are still standing but have been decommissioned.
The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands has a web page, including information on the Tower Quest program: visit five fire towers to earn a patch. Fun for kids. I admit I have one of those patches myself.
Related posts: Visits to towers at Weeks State Park, Oak Hill, Pawtuckaway State Park, Mt. Kearsarge
Granite State Walker 
I’ve climbed this one a few times and in a couple of weeks a friend is coming out from California and he wants to hike it as well. You couldn’t ask for an easier mountaintop to get to.
Easy is right! As a lunch spot on a southern New Hampshire road trip, it would be hard to beat. I’ll bet the path to the top will be a fine place for blueberries in July.