Parker Mt, Strafford NH

• 3-star hikes
• 2 to 3 mile options
• Medium difficulty | Gain 500 to 630 feet
• Strafford, NH | Lakes Region
. a wooden signpost with two directional arrows at a trail fork in a forest. The top arrow, red with “LOOP TO 126” written on it, points left. The bottom arrow, blue with “SUMMIT” written on it, points right. The signpost stands amidst green foliage and fallen leaves, suggesting a choice between a loop trail or a climb to a summit.

a wooden signpost with two directional arrows at a trail fork in a forest. The top arrow, red with “LOOP TO 126” written on it, points left. The bottom arrow, blue with “SUMMIT” written on it, points right. The signpost stands amidst green foliage and fallen leaves, suggesting a choice between a loop trail or a climb to a summit.

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Trailspotting Map:

3★ Spencer Smith
2.2 mi out-and-back, medium, gain 500 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

3★ Loop Trail
2.8 mi loop, medium, gain 630 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Mount Parker came to our attention due to its position on a Peakbagger.com list as the largest mountain prominence in Strafford County; an area that is otherwise remarkably flat. A hike of the mountain's 724 foot prominence begins at the side of Route 126 and follows an old farm trail that leads to the mountain's ridgeline. There's a brief partial viewpoint from the side of the trail that's worthy of a peek, otherwise the trail is enveloped in deciduous trees for most of the time. Minor loose rocky sections where water has eroded the trail make this a trail of medium difficulty, but don't expect anything on the trail to pose a significant challenge.

Granite caps crown the ridgeline as you approach the Link Trail junction, offering some mossy woodland clearings and patches of blue sky. Enjoy the distant easterly scenery just after the junction, as there are no further vantage points along the remainder of the trail to the summit. Marked with a large rock cairn the 1,407 foot summit should be obvious to all. A reader reports that if you continue along the trail heading south you are led to ledges that feature an overlook across Bow Lake.

The out-and-back route is marked with some fading red spray-paint blazes, but thankfully the trail is already well defined by hiking traffic. Returning on the alternative Link Trail route however does require some careful navigation as the trail is less defined and numerous tree blowdowns obscure the route. The Link Trail trip down the side of the mountain is thankfully not as steep as it looks on the map, and at the bottom of the hill meets with an old farm road known as Neil Mooers Trail that is easy to follow.

Our favorite trail signs look like they're made in a shed.

A scenic landscape from an elevated viewpoint, showcasing a clear blue sky, diverse greenery with trees and shrubs, some rocks, and a flat horizon, conveying the serenity of nature

Look out over the flatness of Strafford County.

Tangents:
• Peakbagger: Parker Mountain
• Public Map at AllTrails: Parker Mountain
• Facebook Group: Leave a comment

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