Trailspotting Hiking California, New Hampshire and More

Copple Crown Mt, Brookfield NH

• 4-star hikes
• 2 to 6 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 570 to 1,330 feet
• Brookfield, NH | Lakes Region
. NH County Challenge

View from a rocky outcrop overlooking a forested valley and distant rolling hills under a clear blue sky. In the foreground, large weathered rock formations are surrounded by a mix of evergreen and deciduous trees, some showing early autumn hues of orange and gold. The midground reveals a densely wooded landscape stretching across undulating terrain, while the background fades into soft blue ridgelines on the horizon. Wispy clouds drift overhead, suggesting a crisp, sunny day ideal for hiking and photography.

Splendid southerly views from nearby summit viewpoint.

We were initially drawn to Copple Crown Mountain to complete the challenge of hiking to the highest peaks and prominences in all New Hampshire Counties (see links in this article). What we found was a short trek to a summit offering impressive views across the southern Lakes Region landscape.

We chose the most popular route to the peak, which begins at the end of a short but occasionally rough unpaved road on the mountain’s east side. Fortunately, during our late-summer visit, the road was dry and we reached the trailhead in a standard sedan without issue. What we've labeled the Long Route follows a mostly flat, rugged forest road through shaded woodland for approximately 1.6 miles before crossing a creek and beginning the ascent.

Trail Options Expand KMZ · Google Earth ·

⬤ 4★ Short Route 2.0 mi out & back, moderate, gain 770 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

⬤ 4★ Longer Route 5.5 mi out & back, moderate, gain 1,330 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions

P Free parking

A short distance later, we discovered a spur trail leading to Newport Drive - an asphalt road in a residential neighborhood that provides a much shorter route to the summit without the need to navigate rough or potentially challenging unpaved roads. We've updated OpenStreetMap to better reflect this route for future hikers. Parking is available roadside on Newport Drive, but please be considerate of nearby homes.

We'd categorize the trail to the top of Copple Crown Mountain as easy, aside from a couple of brief rocky sections. The mountain's summit offers little in the way of views, but continuing on toward the East Peak reveals an exposed granite ledge with a spectacular vantage point overlooking rolling hills and distant mountain ranges. After admiring the view, we continued on to bag the East Peak summit, though there are no views from that location.

A person walks away from the camera along a leaf-strewn forest trail, surrounded by tall trees with dense green foliage. The individual wears a blue shirt and dark trousers, their figure partially dappled by sunlight filtering through the canopy above. The path curves gently into the woods, inviting exploration, while the interplay of light and shadow creates a tranquil, almost contemplative mood. Dry leaves blanket the trail, hinting at the onset of autumn, and the vertical lines of tree trunks frame the scene with a sense of quiet enclosure.

Additional Longer Route mileage mostly on rough forest road.

If, like us, you're looking to hike all the New Hampshire County High Points you'll need to seek out Copple Crown's Southwest Slope, marking Strafford County's highest point. This is not actually a peak, but the position of Strafford County's boundary with Belknap County. We've marked on our map a looping bushwack route that will lead you to this point, marked with a geocache tied to a tree.

MAP PACK: NH County Peak Challenge Visit the highest points and prominences in every county. Navigate with help from our free smartphone download, featuring trail reviews and offline route finding.