Sabattus Mountain, Lovell

A 177-acre preserve encompasses this little mountain, which is a little more than 1,200 feet and makes for a great, moderately easy hike with views. The round trip is about 1.5 miles. The Greater Lovell Land Trust has a lot of good information.

I also just learned the mountain, known as a rouche mountonnee, got its asymmetrical shape — with one side gently sloping and the other rougher — when a glacier passed by eons ago. I think it works a bit like this (this is very simplified!): The glacier moved across the bedrock, starting from the sloped side, pushing it up into its pleasing shape. But as it continued to creep along, it created a more jagged surface on the opposite side of the mountain as its pressure and movement shattered and broke up the rock.

Directions: From the intersection of Routes 5 and 93 in Lovell, take Route 5 north 4.5 miles and turn right on Sabattus Road. Follow the road for 1.5 miles and at the fork, bear right onto Sabattus Trail Road. Continue another .7 miles and the parking area is on the right.