QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: 177 acres
- Trail Mileage: 1.3-mile loop
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: moderate
- Sights: views, open summit (1,253 ft.)
A 177-acre preserve encompasses this small but fantastic mountain, which is a little more than 1,200 feet and makes for a rewarding, 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 how the mountain, known as a rouche mountonnee, got its asymmetrical shape, when one side has a gently sloping curve and the opposite side is jagged and craggy. It happened eons ago when a leisurely glacier passed by. 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 0.7 miles and the parking area is on the right.
