VFTT- Views From The Tower- Federal Hill Firetower in Milford, NH

[amstony]

Monday afternoon, on an unscheduled day off, and with my wife out of the hospital, she kicked me out to get out of her way so she could rest - telling me to go find the firetower.....

So I left late in the afternoon to visit the Federal Hill Firetower in Milford NH, located off of Highway 101A. This will be added to my list of visited firetowers so I can soon claim another patch for my back pack ....

The tower is relatively east to locate. Coming from Nashua on 101A you make a left at the Hampshire Hills Finess Center sign, staying on the road for 1.4 miles where you will see the mailbox for 339 Federal Hill, theres also a signholder for the firetower- the sign is missing, but the signholder is there. Park right in front of the locked fence, and go around the locked gate towards the tower. Begin the 1/2 mile ascent towards the Firetower and it takes maybe 5 minutes or so of uphill walking to reach it. It is at an elevation of 609 feet.

When I approached you could here the generators running to power the equipment so I hoped it was staffed. When I came under the tower the lookout yelled for me to come on up. So up I went, admiring the gorgeous view as I ascended the flights of stairs. James the firetower lookout, was glad to have a visitor.

He explained, that unlike many of the towers, he rarely has visitors, maybe 1 or 2 a day, 150 all season. He then said that Kearsage has that many in a day!! We discussed the tower operation and I told him I'd post onto VFTT. He was glad, since he has heard of VFTT and would check the site later this week. After 10-15 minutes I descended the tower, signing the visitor log before I left.

Anyway, if your looking for a nice short jaunt to a tower in an otherwise densely populated suburban area go visit this one. Hardly anyone even knows it there! And the views from the top are nice!!

 

[amstony]

another pic

Thanks Cantdog! I was wondering what hills they were, they are the Uncanoocs, they are close by but never been to them.

 

[alpinista]

Wicked cool!

 

[amstony]

The "more hills" photo is the Uncanoonucs. They are in Goffstown, another relatively local and short apres-work hike. I have been ignoring Federal Hill for a long time, but it sure is much cloer than Pack. How many miles and elevation do you estimate round trip?

Not much about a mile round trip and about 300 feet elevation gain. Sneakers will do and a bottle of water. The trail is in bad shape in some parts.

I am up for the Uncanoocs one late afternoon / early evening. Let me know and I'll get out early rom Beantown.

 

[arghman]

Neat trip report! I've never mustered up the gumption to go talk to the fire tower staffers.

I am up for the Uncanoocs one late afternoon / early evening. Let me know and I'll get out early rom Beantown.

If you post when, and I'm around, I'll join you. (Skip S. Uncanoonuc, IMHO, it has too many towers and the true summit spot is fenced off. North has a nice loop hike; one of these days I've got to turn it into an 8-10 mile exploration of all the various trails. Some of them can put you quite far from the main trailhead on Mountain Road.)

 

[HockeyPuck]

AMSTony

Thanks for posting the report. I remember hiking this in dec 04 as part of my self-taught intro to winter hiking. Your pics and trip report bring back some great memories. It's also nice to read about a non-4k hike.

 

[arghman]

re: uncanoonucs
[shouldn't we be moving these posts elsewhere?]

The loop I know is up the White Dot Trail and down the old Carriage Road. Both are on Mountain Rd about 1/3? mile apart. Hardest part is finding the White Dot trail. Can't remember how long it took me to do it the last time, I think 40-50 minutes. Stats are probably 1.25-1.5 miles, 700ft elevation gain. A good cardio workout.

If I do map&explore the other side trails on the North Mountain, I'll post here, though a longer trip like that for me would have to be on a weekend and probably have to wait until October.

 

[SteveHiker]

I'm up for a Monday or Wednesday after work. Or any other day for that matter. I've only been up the white dot trail once. I think I remember where it is.

sorry for aiding and abetting this thread hi-jack.

 

[SteveHiker]

Since the creator of this thread is interested in doing this, I'm going to guess that he will not red square us.

You're right. Especially if he wants any more rides on Caribou Valley Road.

 

[coldmountain]

I used to go up Uncanoonuc North to break in new boots or a pack and always a few practice runs with winter stuff.....it has alot to offer; decent views in different directions, an overhang cave, rock slabs, open hardwood forests and a cool peak at the creepy New Boston Missle Tracking Radar globes (they look like tiny epcot centers).
Id go after work for sure! Hell Id go during work if I could. If it ends up being plausible as a trip, Im in for a Monday Thursday or Friday.

Julie,Strange Brew sounds great to me as well!

 

[amstony]

So far, Monday seems to be the best choice so long as Tony approves. This coming Monday is ok with me, but it might be short notice for some. Next Monday is a holiday, so Monday 9/12 might be a good choice. Let's get some more feedback.


BTW, nice kitten!

As soon a Tony replies, I'll start a new thread in Trips & Events.

OK, Cantdog and Stevehiker you have my full unbiased authorization to hijack my thread. Lets shoot for a post Labor Day and 9/11 weekend hike for September 12. No red squares will be issued for this unseemly thread theft.