Join the Orford Conservation Commission, partnering with the Upper Valley Land Trust, to hike the iconic Cottonstone Mountain on Sunday, October 18.
We will hike in on Cottonstone’s scenic Northside forest roads to the ridgeline that rises above Route 10 and the Connecticut River for sweeping views up and down the river valley. The Upper Valley autumn colors will be in full display on both sides of the Connecticut!
Trailhead and parking: Our approach this year will be from a Northside trailhead. Take Archertown Road to Town Road 100. Be aware of the current construction re-route so you should approach Archertown Road from either Tillotson Falls Road or Indian Pond Road. Drive a short ways up Town Road 100 to the forest road gate on the right hand side just before the “Town Maintenance Ends Here” sign. We will have parking signs out to direct cars. We will park in the fields inside the gate.
Distance and elevation gain: Roundtrip of approximately 5.2 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation gain. Wear sturdy boots. The roads have good footing, but are steep at times. Expect to spend about 3+ hours out on the hike.
The hike: We will walk through the network of scenic forest roads on Cottonstone Mountain, past fields with sweeping views, and eventually up to the western ridge of Cottonstone to a series of cliff top overlooks offering views from Smarts Mountain in Lyme to Orford’s Sunday Mountain, and then across the Connecticut River to Vermont.
Bring your camera to capture some terrific photos. Also bring hiking snacks and water for our rest break up at one of the overlooks.
Please join us for what will be a special October outing. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore the Northside and scenic overlooks of Cottonstone Mountain.
The hike will take place rain or shine. For more information contact Orford Conservation Commission Chair Bob Hedges at bhedges17@gmail.com.
Fall Arial View of the Pond