Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Kelton Crag — Pillars 24.2 Miles W of Chapman Inn
Coos County, New Hampshire · USGS Mount Washington Quadrangle · GNIS 872131
One of only 15 pillars catalogued within the 80 km reach of Chapman Inn, Kelton Crag lies on the USGS Mount Washington quadrangle in Coos County, New Hampshire — 24.2 miles west of the Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872131, Kelton Crag is recorded as a rock pillar on the USGS Mount Washington quadrangle in Coos County, New Hampshire (FIPS 33/007). Catalogued in GNIS since 08/27/1980.
Coordinates & physical setting
Kelton Crag sits at 44.36006° N, 71.27563° W (DMS 44°21′36″ N, 71°16′32″ W).
Other pillars in Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County, NH contains 8 pillars catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Kelton Crag itself. The ones closest to Kelton Crag:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Nelson Crag | Mount Washington | 5.6 mi |
| Ball Crag | Mount Washington | 6 mi |
| Lion Head | Mount Washington | 6.6 mi |
| Glen Boulder | Stairs Mountain | 8.4 mi |
| Eagle Crag | Wild River | 12.5 mi |
| Pininsula Molls Rock | Umbagog Lake North | 30.7 mi |
| Table Rock | Dixville Notch | 34.7 mi |
Features on the USGS Mount Washington Quadrangle
The Mount Washington 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 68 catalogued natural features alongside Kelton Crag. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hitchcock Falls | Waterfalls | Coos County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Coosauk Fall | Waterfalls | Coos County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Blue Berry Ledge Bench | Benches | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Carlton Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Snyder Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 1.1 mi |
| Bumpus Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 1.1 mi |
| King Ravine | Valleys | Coos County, NH | 1.3 mi |
| Spur Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 1.5 mi |
| Cold Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 1.5 mi |
| Gordon Ridge | Ridges | Coos County, NH | 2.1 mi |
Ranking & rarity
- Among the 15 pillars catalogued within 80 km of Chapman Inn, Kelton Crag ranks #3 by proximity to the Inn (closer than 80%).
- 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
A 42-minute drive along back roads separates the front door of Chapman Inn from Kelton Crag — 24.2 miles west as the crow flies, on compass bearing W.
Best time to visit
Accessible May through November in most years. Being this far north (lat 44.360°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 24.2 miles from the Inn, plan on a comfortable day trip with time for lunch on the road. Conditions at Kelton Crag track the nearby Hitchcock Falls waterfall (0.2 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Kelton Crag
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hitchcock Falls | Waterfalls | Coos County, NH | 0.2 mi |
| Coosauk Fall | Waterfalls | Coos County, NH | 0.3 mi |
| Blue Berry Ledge Bench | Benches | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Carlton Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Snyder Brook | Streams | Coos County, NH | 1.1 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Kelton Crag located?
Kelton Crag is in Coos County, New Hampshire, approximately 24.2 miles west of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Mount Washington topographic quadrangle.
How far is Kelton Crag from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 42 minutes, 24.2 miles west (bearing W) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Kelton Crag?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Kelton Crag as a rock pillar, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872131 on the Mount Washington quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Kelton Crag?
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.