Temple Mountain

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Temple Mountain
Elevation 2,045 feet (623 m)
Location Sharon and Temple, New Hampshire
Range Wapack Range
Coordinates 42°49′39″N, 71°53′07″W
Type monadnock; metamorphic rock
Age of rock 400 million years
Easiest route Wapack Trail

Temple Mountain is a 2,045 feet (623 m) monadnock located in south-central New Hampshire within the Wapack Range of mountains. It lies within Sharon and Temple, New Hampshire; the 22 mi (35 km) Wapack Trail traverses the mountain. The mountain is 3.5 miles (5.6 km) long and has several summits; three of them are named: Burton Peak 2,010 feet (610 m), Whitcomb Peak 1,710 feet (520 m), and Holt Peak, the high point. Pack Monadnock Mountain is located directly to the north along the Wapack ridgeline; Kidder Mountain to the south. Much of the north face of the mountain, formerly the Temple Mountain Ski Area, was purchased by the State of New Hampshire in 2006 and is slated as conservation land. Scattered ledges along the ridgeline offer long vistas west to Mount Monadnock and south along the spine of the Wapack Range; the abandoned ski area on the north side of the mountain offers 270-degree views.

The east side of the mountain drains into the Souhegan River watershed, thence into the Merrimack River and Atlantic Ocean; the west side drains into the Contoocook River, thence into the Merrimack River.

[edit] Temple Mountain Ski Area

The sign outside of the former Temple Mountain Ski Area
The sign outside of the former Temple Mountain Ski Area

Temple Mountain Ski Area was a downhill, or alpine, ski area that operated from 1938 until 2001. During peak operation, the ski area featured a quad chairlift, a double chairlift, and multiple T-Bars and rope tows.

Its entrance was located on Route 101, straddling the border of Temple and Peterborough.

Like many other small ski areas in the country, it closed due to poor weather, rising costs and changing recreational habits.

The 350-acre site, of which about 60 acres was used for the ski area, was purchased in 2001 by a couple living in Temple, who in December 2007, sold it to New Hampshire as part of the state park system.

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