Thumb Mountain facts for kids

Thumb Mountain is a mountain in Hancock, New Hampshire. It stands about 1,978 feet (603 meters) tall. This mountain is a type of landform called a monadnock. This means it's a single, tall hill or mountain that stands out from the flat land around it.

Thumb Mountain is located about 13 miles (21 km) east of Keene. It is also about 8 miles (13 km) north of Mount Monadnock. It shares a base with Skatutakee Mountain, which is 1,998 feet (609 meters) tall.

Exploring Thumb Mountain

Most of Thumb Mountain is covered with trees. But near the top, there are open rocky areas called ledges. From these ledges, you can see amazing views of the countryside. You can even see the north side of Mount Monadnock from here!

There are several hiking trails on the mountain. Two popular ones are the Harriskat and Thumbs trails. These trails help people explore the mountain and enjoy nature.

Where the Water Goes

Water from Thumb Mountain flows in different directions.

• Water from the west side goes into Nubanusit Lake. From there, it travels through several brooks and lakes. It eventually reaches the Contoocook River and then the Merrimack River. Finally, it flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
• Water from the east side flows into Jaquith Brook. This brook also connects to Nubanusit Brook.
• Water from the north side goes into Ferguson Brook. This brook then joins the Contoocook River.

Protecting the Mountain

Thumb Mountain is part of a very large protected area. This area covers about 12,500 acres (51 square kilometers). It is sometimes called a "supersanctuary." Many groups work together to protect this land. These groups include the Harris Center for Outdoor Education and the state of New Hampshire.

The Harris Center helps take care of the hiking trails on the mountain. They also have an environmental education center at the base of the mountain. This center teaches people about nature and the importance of protecting wild places.