Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Glen Boulder — Pillars 26.7 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Coos County, New Hampshire · USGS Stairs Mountain Quadrangle · GNIS 871938
One of only 15 pillars catalogued within the 80 km reach of Chapman Inn, Glen Boulder lies on the USGS Stairs Mountain quadrangle in Coos County, New Hampshire — 26.7 miles west-southwest of the Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
The USGS Stairs Mountain 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle places Glen Boulder in Coos County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/007), classified as a rock pillar in the federal GNIS (Feature ID 871938). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Glen Boulder sits at 44.23784° N, 71.27507° W (DMS 44°14′16″ N, 71°16′30″ W).
Other pillars in Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County, NH contains 8 pillars catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Glen Boulder itself. The ones closest to Glen Boulder:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Lion Head | Mount Washington | 2.1 mi |
| Ball Crag | Mount Washington | 2.9 mi |
| Nelson Crag | Mount Washington | 3 mi |
| Kelton Crag | Mount Washington | 8.4 mi |
| Eagle Crag | Wild River | 10.1 mi |
| Pininsula Molls Rock | Umbagog Lake North | 38.7 mi |
| Table Rock | Dixville Notch | 43.2 mi |
Features on the USGS Stairs Mountain Quadrangle
The Stairs Mountain 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 28 catalogued natural features alongside Glen Boulder. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Branch Ridge | Ridges | Coos County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| Gulf of Slides | Valleys | Coos County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Gulf Peak | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Glen Ellis Falls | Waterfalls | Coos County, NH | 1.2 mi |
| Lost Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 1.5 mi |
| Montalban Ridge | Ridges | Coos County, NH | 1.5 mi |
| Oakes Gulf | Valleys | Coos County, NH | 1.9 mi |
| Mount Isolation | Summits | Coos County, NH | 2.3 mi |
| Engine Hill | Summits | Coos County, NH | 2.5 mi |
| Mount Davis | Summits | Coos County, NH | 2.9 mi |
Ranking & rarity
- Among the 15 pillars catalogued within 80 km of Chapman Inn, Glen Boulder ranks #5 by proximity to the Inn (closer than 67%).
- This is one of only 15 pillars catalogued within Chapman Inn’s 80 km reach — a rare classification in the local landscape.
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Chapman Inn sits 26.7 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of Glen Boulder. At moderate back-road speeds the drive runs about 46 minutes — comfortably inside a half-day outing window after breakfast.
Best time to visit
Accessible May through November in most years. Being this far north (lat 44.238°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 26.7 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Glen Boulder track the nearby Rocky Branch Ridge (0.6 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Glen Boulder
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Branch Ridge | Ridges | Coos County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| Gulf of Slides | Valleys | Coos County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Gulf Peak | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Glen Ellis Falls | Waterfalls | Coos County, NH | 1.2 mi |
| Boott Spur | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.4 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Glen Boulder located?
Glen Boulder is in Coos County, New Hampshire, approximately 26.7 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Stairs Mountain topographic quadrangle.
How far is Glen Boulder from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 46 minutes, 26.7 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Glen Boulder?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Glen Boulder as a rock pillar, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 871938 on the Stairs Mountain quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Glen Boulder?
Accessible May through November in most years.
How many other pillars are in Coos County, New Hampshire?
GNIS lists 7 other pillars in Coos County, New Hampshire.
How rare is pillars as a classification near Chapman Inn?
Only 15 pillars are catalogued within the 80 km radius of the Inn — a comparatively rare classification.