Cherry Mountain, Carroll NH

• 3 & 4-star hikes
• 4 to 5 mile options
• Medium difficulty | Gain 1,850 to 2,400 feet
• Carroll, NH | White Mountains Region
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4★ Martha & Owlshead Peaks 4.9 mi out-and-back, medium, gain 2,400 ft AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

3★ Mount Martha 3.5 mi out-and-back, medium, gain 1,850 ft AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Located in the northern White Mountains, Cherry Mountain boasts several prominent peaks, including the pointed Owlshead (3,257 ft) and the tallest, Mount Martha (3,556 ft). Named after the inaugural First Lady and wife of George Washington, Mount Martha offers a splendid view of the Presidential Mountains, allowing her to keep a watchful eye on her husband’s namesake, Mount Washington.

Beginning at the trailhead by Route 113, the 1,700 foot tall prominence of Cherry Mountain Trail plots a virtual straight line to the mountain's ridge without a switchback in sight. In neither direction does the trail feel steep or overly rocky, though depending on your fitness level your thighs may still have something to say about that.

The trail up the mountain is known to be muddy in April and May, and in summer becomes rather buggy due to a nearby creek running alongside. We also encountered a surprising number of bullfrogs basking in the trail's mottled sunlight, and we chose to think that they were all able to leap out of our way as we came stomping back down the mountain.


Mount Cherry viewed from the Presidential Rail Trail.

Though Martha boasts the highest point on Cherry Mountain it can only muster partial views of the White Mountains. Continuing north along the ridgeline for 0.7 miles to Owlshead offers an easy going trail known as Martha's Mile, which rewards with excellent exposed views. To get the best of these you will need to negotiate a rock scramble to Owlshead's pointy summit, but we can vouch that the effort is worth it for the panoramic payoff.

There are at least two other trailheads around Cherry Mountain that lead to these same peaks, including the Owlshead Trail that is recommended by the Appalachian Mountain Club. Until we return to hike them in the future, we've included links to AllTrails pages for them at the bottom of this article.


The best White Mountain views are on Owlshead.

This area creates no end of nomenclature issues by the way. Based on even the most modern maps, the tallest of the range of peaks on Cherry Mountain is marked at Mount Martha yet many sites only refer to this point as Cherry Mountain. Also, Owlshead peak should not be confused with the larger 4,035 foot Owl's Head further south in the White Mountains.

This mountain is on the New Hampshire 52 With A View list of peaks that showcases some of the best scenic views in the state. The link at the foot of this article takes you to our map, illustrating each of the peaks and the trails on which to reach them. Trailspotting is exploring and reviewing each peak on this lists, and provides trail reviews featuring descriptions, photography and downloadable maps.


Easy going on the ridgeline between peaks.


Partial views from Mount Martha.

Tangents:
• Trailspotting: 52-With-A-View List, NH Challenge Lists
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Cherry Mt (West), Owlshead Trail, Cherry Mt (South)
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

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