Aerial imagery: USGS National Map (public domain)
Lion Head — Pillars 26.7 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Coos County, New Hampshire · USGS Mount Washington Quadrangle · GNIS 872179
One of only 15 pillars catalogued within the 80 km reach of Chapman Inn, Lion Head lies on the USGS Mount Washington quadrangle in Coos County, New Hampshire — 26.7 miles west-southwest of the Inn.
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872179, Lion Head 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
Lion Head sits at 44.26507° N, 71.29285° W (DMS 44°15′54″ N, 71°17′34″ W).
Other pillars in Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County, NH contains 8 pillars catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Lion Head itself. The ones closest to Lion Head:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Ball Crag | Mount Washington | 0.8 mi |
| Nelson Crag | Mount Washington | 1.1 mi |
| Glen Boulder | Stairs Mountain | 2.1 mi |
| Kelton Crag | Mount Washington | 6.6 mi |
| Eagle Crag | Wild River | 11 mi |
| Pininsula Molls Rock | Umbagog Lake North | 37.2 mi |
| Table Rock | Dixville Notch | 41.3 mi |
Features on the USGS Mount Washington Quadrangle
The Mount Washington 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 68 catalogued natural features alongside Lion Head. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Gardens | Other Natural Features | Coos County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Hermit Lake | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Presidential Range | Ranges | Coos County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| Mount Washington | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| White Mountains | Ranges | Coos County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Bigelow Lawn | Other Natural Features | Coos County, NH | 0.7 mi |
| Ball Crag | Pillars | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Chandler Ridge | Ridges | Coos County, NH | 0.8 mi |
| Boott Spur | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.9 mi |
| Agiocochook Crag | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1 mi |
Ranking & rarity
- Among the 15 pillars catalogued within 80 km of Chapman Inn, Lion Head ranks #6 by proximity to the Inn (closer than 60%).
- 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 46-minute drive along back roads separates the front door of Chapman Inn from Lion Head — 26.7 miles west-southwest as the crow flies, on compass bearing WSW.
Best time to visit
Accessible May through November in most years. Being this far north (lat 44.265°), 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 Lion Head track the nearby Alpine Gardens natural feature (0.4 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Lion Head
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine Gardens | Other Natural Features | Coos County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Hermit Lake | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 0.4 mi |
| Presidential Range | Ranges | Coos County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| Mount Washington | Summits | Coos County, NH | 0.6 mi |
| White Mountains | Ranges | Coos County, NH | 0.7 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Lion Head located?
Lion Head is in Coos County, New Hampshire, approximately 26.7 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Mount Washington topographic quadrangle.
How far is Lion Head 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 Lion Head?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Lion Head as a rock pillar, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872179 on the Mount Washington quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Lion Head?
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.