Trailspotting Hiking California, New Hampshire and More

Blue Job Mountains, Farmington NH

• 4-star hikes
• 1 to 2 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 350 to 430 feet
• Farmington, NH | Lakes Region
. NHFT

A tall metal fire lookout tower stands on a rocky hilltop surrounded by evergreen trees, with a small enclosed observation cabin perched at the top and accessed by a zigzagging staircase. Nearby, a telecommunications tower rises slightly higher, outfitted with multiple antennas and satellite dishes pointing in various directions. The terrain is rugged and sunlit, with exposed rock and sparse vegetation. The sky is clear and bright blue, suggesting a calm, sunny day.

Silhouette of the fire tower atop Blue Job Mountain.

Though locals will confirm that the mountain is pronounced 'Blue Jobe', nobody appears to be able to explain how the peak was named. Despite this, on a clear day there's a lot of blue sky to be seen from both the fire tower at the summit of the 1,357-foot peak, and even more if you choose the slightly longer looping hike that includes the second Little Blue Job summit.

Beginning from the large trailhead on First Crown Point Road, we recommend turning right and heading up the south tower trail to the pinnacle of the mountain. This route is the steepest and best tackled uphill, though this terrain is still on the easy side of moderate as you climb through a forest of mixed pine and hardwoods.

Trail Options Expand KML · Google Earth ·

⬤ 3★ Blue Job Mt Loop 1.3 mi loop, moderate, gain 350 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

⬤ 4★ Two Peaks Loop 2.0 mi loop, moderate, gain 430 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

P Free parking

⏷ Trailspotting Map Pack: NH Fire Towers

Fire detection began at Blue Job in 1913, making it part of New Hampshire's early tower network established after devastating forest fires in the early 1900s. The existing steel structure with wooden observation cabin was erected two years later and stands at 32 feet tall. Modifications occurred during the 1930s and 1980s to maintain operational capacity. The tower operated under a unique interstate agreement, providing fire detection services for both New Hampshire and Maine. Blue Job continues to function as one of fifteen active towers in New Hampshire's current fire detection network, helping prevent small fires from becoming major wildfires.

⚠ The tower cabin is open to the public on weekends from 11am to 5pm at times of moderate and high fire risk, but at other times there are still plenty of views to be experienced from the deck immediately below the cabin.

A trailhead information board stands in a wooded clearing, framed by tall deciduous trees with lush green foliage. The board displays maps, safety notices, and hiking guidelines, partially shaded by the forest canopy. To the right, a rustic wooden signpost points toward the “Fire Tower Loop,” marked as 1.9 miles and rated moderate.” The ground is covered in light gravel with scattered ferns and underbrush, suggesting a well-maintained but natural entry point into the forest.

We recommend heading right on the steeper south trail first.

If you're tackling the shorter loop which includes just the main peak, a descent on the northern tower trail begins on an old asphalt service road before branching off to the right and returning on a single-track trail in shaded forest. A marginally shorter out-and-back is possible by utilizing only the south tower trail, but that invites less trail variety for only a little less distance.

Our preference is the slightly longer loop towards a small pond, with views along the way and the highlight of some grand 360-degree views from the granite-topped Little Blue Job Mountain, which can provide views of both Mount Washington and the ocean on the clearest of days. A rock cairn marks the summit, since there's no notable peak.

The Blue Job Mountain Fire Tower is one of fifteen towers included on the State of New Hampshire's Fire Tower Quest challenge, and one of over twenty standing towers in the state. For more information see our link at the bottom of the page, or utilize our free Trailspotting Map Pack linked above, which provides offline smartphone maps to help you plan hikes and navigate trails to each of the towers.