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Mount Pierce — Summits 31.1 Miles WSW of Chapman Inn
Coos County, New Hampshire · USGS Stairs Mountain Quadrangle · GNIS 872495
At 4,311 feet of elevation, Mount Pierce rises above Coos County, New Hampshire as a named summit on the USGS Stairs Mountain topographic quadrangle — about 31.1 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine.
Wikidata short description: “mountain in New Hampshire, United States”
Landmark Profile
Classification & USGS reference
Within Coos County, New Hampshire, the U.S. Geological Survey lists Mount Pierce as a summit on the Stairs Mountain topographic quadrangle (FIPS 33/007), under Feature ID 872495. Last revised by the Board on Geographic Names on 12/01/2020.
Coordinates & physical setting
Mount Pierce sits at 44.22652° N, 71.36597° W (DMS 44°13′35″ N, 71°21′58″ W).
Dimensions & elevation
- Summit elevation 4,311 ft / 1,314 m — a serious high-elevation objective.
Other summits in Coos County, New Hampshire
Coos County, NH contains 226 summits catalogued in the USGS Geographic Names Information System, counting Mount Pierce itself. The ones closest to Mount Pierce:
| Feature | USGS Quadrangle | Elevation | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Eisenhower | Stairs Mountain | — | 1.3 mi |
| Mount Jackson | Crawford Notch | — | 1.7 mi |
| Mount Webster | Crawford Notch | 3,911 ft | 2.4 mi |
| Mount Franklin | Mount Washington | — | 2.6 mi |
| Mount Isolation | Stairs Mountain | 4,003 ft | 2.9 mi |
| Mount Monroe | Mount Washington | — | 3 mi |
| Mount Davis | Stairs Mountain | 3,819 ft | 3.1 mi |
| Gulf Peak | Stairs Mountain | — | 3.9 mi |
| Boott Spur | Mount Washington | — | 4 mi |
| Mount Washington | Mount Washington | — | 4.3 mi |
Features on the USGS Stairs Mountain Quadrangle
The Stairs Mountain 7.5-minute topographic quadrangle holds 28 catalogued natural features alongside Mount Pierce. A sampling nearest to this location:
| Feature | Type | County | Offset |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Eisenhower | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.3 mi |
| Desolation Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 1.9 mi |
| Mount Isolation | Summits | Coos County, NH | 2.9 mi |
| Oakes Gulf | Valleys | Coos County, NH | 3 mi |
| Montalban Ridge | Ridges | Coos County, NH | 3.1 mi |
| Mount Davis | Summits | Coos County, NH | 3.1 mi |
| Gulf Peak | Summits | Coos County, NH | 3.9 mi |
| Rocky Branch Ridge | Ridges | Coos County, NH | 3.9 mi |
| Gulf of Slides | Valleys | Coos County, NH | 4.3 mi |
| Glen Boulder | Pillars | Coos County, NH | 4.6 mi |
Ranking & rarity
- Mount Pierce is #3 of 19 summits with recorded elevation in Coos County, New Hampshire.
- Among the 1280 summits catalogued within 80 km of Chapman Inn, Mount Pierce ranks #658 by proximity to the Inn (closer than 49%).
Historical record
Also known as: Mount Clinton, Mt. Pierce.
The feature is named after Franklin Pierce.
The U.S. Board on Geographic Names recorded a Official (Board Decision) on January 1, 1913 for this name.
Mount Pierce is a mountain in the Presidential Range in the White Mountains of New Hampshire that is approximately 4,310 feet (1,310 m) high. Formerly called Mount Clinton for 19th-century governor DeWitt Clinton of New York, in 1913 it was renamed after President Franklin Pierce (1804–1869), the only president born in New Hampshire, although it was several decades before the name was widely recognized. Its summit offers a wide view of New Hampshire's mountains. Open the Wikipedia article →
Visiting from Chapman Inn
Distance, bearing & drive time
Follow the compass bearing WSW out of Bethel for 31.1 miles (west-southwest) and you reach Mount Pierce; at typical rural speeds the trip runs roughly 53 minutes.
Best time to visit
Late June through early October, when the summit is reliably snow-free. Being this far north (lat 44.227°), first snows typically arrive by mid-October and linger into early May — narrow the window accordingly. At 31.1 miles from the Inn, block the full day — sunrise start, late return, packed meals. Conditions at Mount Pierce track the nearby Mount Eisenhower summit (1.3 mi away) closely — if that is runnable, so is this.
Nearest features to Mount Pierce
| Feature | Type | County | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Eisenhower | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.3 mi |
| Mount Jackson | Summits | Coos County, NH | 1.7 mi |
| Tisdale Spring | Springs | Coos County, NH | 1.8 mi |
| Desolation Pond | Lakes | Coos County, NH | 1.9 mi |
| Elephant Head | Pillars | Carroll County, NH | 2.2 mi |
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Mount Pierce located?
Mount Pierce is in Coos County, New Hampshire, approximately 31.1 miles west-southwest of Chapman Inn in Bethel, Maine. It appears on the USGS Stairs Mountain topographic quadrangle.
How far is Mount Pierce from Chapman Inn?
The drive runs about 53 minutes, 31.1 miles west-southwest (bearing WSW) of the Inn.
What type of natural feature is Mount Pierce?
The U.S. Geological Survey classifies Mount Pierce as a summit, catalogued under GNIS Feature ID 872495 on the Stairs Mountain quadrangle.
When is the best time to visit Mount Pierce?
Late June through early October, when the summit is reliably snow-free.
How tall is Mount Pierce?
Mount Pierce rises to 4,311 feet (1,314 metres) above sea level.
Who or what is Mount Pierce named after?
Wikidata attributes the name to Franklin Pierce.
What other names has Mount Pierce been known by?
Alternate or historical names on record: Mount Clinton, Mt. Pierce.
How many other summits are in Coos County, New Hampshire?
GNIS lists 225 other summits in Coos County, New Hampshire.
Wikidata: Q749181.