Gap Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gap Mountain |
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Wooded south summit
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | North peak 1,820 feet (555 m); Middle peak 1,840 feet (561 m); South peak 1,900 feet (579 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Troy, New Hampshire |
| Parent range | None; southern New Hampshire uplands |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | 400 million years |
| Mountain type | monadnock; metamorphic rock |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Metacomet-Monadnock Trail |
Gap Mountain is a cool natural spot in Troy, New Hampshire, United States. It's a special type of mountain called a monadnock. This means it's a single mountain that stands out from the flat land around it.
Gap Mountain has three peaks, or summits. The highest one is about 1,900 feet (579 m) above sea level. The north and middle peaks are mostly bare, like a giant rocky playground. From these spots, you can see amazing views of the countryside. You can also spot the even taller Mount Monadnock nearby. The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail goes right over these two peaks. The south peak, however, is covered in trees, so it doesn't have open views.
The mountain is named "Gap Mountain" because there's a dip, or "cleft," that separates the south peak from the other two. All of Gap Mountain is part of the Gap Mountain Reservation. This area is looked after by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests.
Gap Mountain is located about 3 miles (5 km) south of Mount Monadnock. It is also about 4 miles (6 km) northeast of Little Monadnock Mountain. Water from the mountain flows into different rivers. To the east and south, it goes into the Millers River, then into the Connecticut River, and finally reaches Long Island Sound. To the north and west, the water drains into the Ashuelot River, which also flows into the Connecticut River.
History of Gap Mountain
Back in the 1800s, Gap Mountain looked very different. People cut down the trees on the mountain. They used the land for pasture to feed cows for dairy farms nearby. Even in 1950, the top of the mountain was still open pasture. But over time, more and more trees have grown back.
In the 1960s, Gap Mountain was put up for sale. There were ideas to build houses or even a ski resort there. But local people really loved the mountain. They worked together with the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. For twenty years, they worked hard to buy and protect Gap Mountain and the land around it. Some land was even given as gifts. Because of these efforts, the protected area grew to more than 1,100 acres (4.5 km2).
Today, Gap Mountain is home to many kinds of wildflowers. Some of these flowers are not common in New Hampshire. The north and middle peaks still have open areas. These spots are covered in blueberry bushes. The south peak is now completely covered in trees.
Fun Activities on Gap Mountain
Gap Mountain is a great place for outdoor fun! Many people enjoy Hiking and picking blueberries there. The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail is a long path, about 114 miles (183 km) long. It starts at the border of Massachusetts and Connecticut and goes all the way to Mount Monadnock. This trail crosses the open northern and middle peaks of Gap Mountain.
There are two parking lots where you can start your hike. From the south parking lot, it's about 1.3 miles (2.1 km) to reach the middle summit. From the north parking lot, it's about 1.2 miles (1.9 km) to the north summit. The middle and north summits are very close, only about one tenth of a mile apart. The Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests built and takes care of these parking lots.
