As our GO team took in the views on the recent Shelburne Moriah hike, there was curiosity about a pair of bold, conical peaks that featured prominently to our north: North and South Percy Mt, a.k.a. the Percy Peaks. Sounded like a trip idea to me, so let’s hike them!   The Percy Peaks are renowned for their sweeping views, as well as for their stretches of steep, open granite slabs.  To that latter point, CAUTION: if you are not a big fan of exposure and heights, note that these peaks have earned their rightful spot on the Terrifying 25 list!

At a moderate pace, we will access the peaks from the north, starting with the Percy Peaks Trail.  The trail begins moderately, but steepens and begins to get scrambly about halfway in.  From the col between them, we will access South Percy up and back, followed by North Percy up and back. We will then have our choice of descending the way we came up or looping out on the more gradual and interesting Percy Loop Trail.  Depending on our exit choice, we will hike a total of either 4.5 miles or 6 miles, and gain approximately 2500’ of elevation.  Depending on how much time we spend enjoying the views, our plan is to complete this hike in 4-6 hours, and optionally to stop for some outdoor eats enroute home. 

For our outing to be both safe and fun against the COVID backdrop, we are limiting our group size to 8, and require that you wear a mask both as you emerge from your car for our trailhead meetup, as well as anytime it is not possible to be at least 6’ away from other hikers.  Be sure to bring at least two quarts of water, plenty of energy food, grippy shoes, raincoat, appropriate clothing layers, and working flashlight/headlamp with spare batteries.

We will meet up at the Percy Peaks Trail parking lot on Nash Stream Road in Stratford, NH.  GPS coordinates [44.66572, -71.45760] or in Google Maps, search on “Percy Peaks Trail”.  The trailhead is approximately 2.5 hours from Concord, NH.  Please add time for necessary pit stops, fueling, unforeseen delays, etc.

Directions:
From MA and southern NH, head north on I-93. After you’re through Franconia Notch, take exit 35 for US-3 N toward Lancaster/Twin Mountain.  You’ll go through a traffic circle in 28 miles.  9.0 miles after the circle, turn R onto Rt.110 East.  In 2.6 miles, turn L onto Emerson Rd, continuing straight onto Northside Rd for another 0.7 miles.  Where the road takes a sharp right-hand bend, go L onto Nash Stream Rd.  In 2.7 miles the small parking area will be on your right, 50 yards short of the trailhead itself.