Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail leaves Dartmouth College and the town of Hanover to start this section, and it alternates between a series of mountains and valleys as it winds northbound. Smarts Mountain is located about twenty three miles from the Connecticut River, and it has spectacular views from a fire tower at the summit. There is a shelter near the tower (dubbed the Fire Warden’s Cabin) and a spring is located nearby.

Glencliff (population ~100) sits in a valley between Smarts Mountain and Mt. Moosilauke and the post office here is a common re-supply point for northbound hikers. The treeless ridges to the north are susceptible to severe weather year round, and Glencliff is a popular place to ship cold weather gear before the first major ascent above tree line at Mount Moosilauke. On a clear day, five states are visible from it’s 4,802 foot summit. The descent from Mount Moosilauke is a steep one and it follows Beaver Brook to Kinsman Notch and NH 112, which is a short distance from the Town of Woodstock.