Mt Pemigewasset (Indian Head) NH


• 4-star hike
• 3.5 to 4.6 mile options
• Medium difficulty | Gain 1,250 to 1,535 feet
• Lincoln, NH | White Mountains
• Driving directions: Trailhead


Sitting on the forehead of Indian Head, looking South.

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Where some people see just a rock, New Hampshire folk see a whole lot more. A cliff becomes an old man in a mountain, a boulder becomes a bullfrog, or in this case a mountain peak becomes a native American in full head-dress. The hotel beneath the mountain that offers views of the peak is still known as the Indian Head Resort, but today the mountain is more commonly known as Mount Pemigewasset.

Often overlooked in favor of larger White Mountain peaks and the wildly popular Flume Gorge trail, the summit of Mount Pemigewasset offers excellent views and is well worth the hike. The great southerly views are to be found at a viewpoint close to the top, and more Easterly views of Mount Liberty and the Flume Gorge are available at the summit itself.

Pemi O&B, Indian Head, Pemi Loop. Expand Map

Mt Pemigewasset Trail 4★
3.5 mi, Out & back, Medium, Gain 1,250ft | Start by the huge Flume Gorge parking lot and head up the Mount Pemigewasset trail on this out-and-back route. After crossing under three road bridges, the twelve hundred foot climb to the summit passes over a couple of easily navigable streams and the occasional switchback, but the hike really doesn't feel that steep.
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails

Indian Head Trail 4★
3.7 miles, Out & Back, Medium, Gain 1,535ft | An out-and-back route beginning at a trailhead close to the Indian Head Resort hotel. This is a slightly more rocky trail and you can see the profile of the mountain from hotel and nearby road. There's a minor rock scrable near the summit.
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails

Mt Pemigewasset Loop 4★
4.6 mi, Loop, Medium, Gain 1,500ft | We chose to get the most out of this mountain by combining the two trails into a single counter-clockwise loop by including a snowmobile trail that connects the trailheads together at the bottom of the valley. Close to the end of the Indian Head Trail we left the path and crossed over to the Indian Head Resort roads before picking up the aforementioned snowmobile trail that led us back to our starting point.
Trailspotting Map at AllTrails


Crossing a stream on the way up Pemigewasset Trail.


Seen by the Indian Head Resort.

Tangents:
• Public Maps at AllTrails: Pemi Loop, Pemi Trail, Indian Head
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

Nearby Trails:
• Show on map: All nearby trails

The White Mountain National Forest
This trail is part of the 800,000 acres of White Mountain National Forest managed by the National Forest Service. For more information visit their website.
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