Temple Mountain

Infobox Mountain
Name = Temple Mountain
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Elevation = convert|2045|ft|m
Location = Sharon and Temple, New Hampshire
Range = Wapack Range
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Coordinates = coord|42|49|39|N|71|53|07|W|type:mountain
Type = monadnock; metamorphic rock
Age = 400 million years
Last eruption =
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Easiest route = Wapack Trail
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Temple Mountain is a convert|2045|ft|m monadnock located in south-central New Hampshire within the Wapack Range of mountains. It lies within Sharon and Temple, New Hampshire; the convert|22|mi|km|abbr=on Wapack Trail traverses the mountain. The mountain is convert|3.5|mi|km long and has several summits; three of them are named: Burton Peak convert|2010|ft|m, Whitcomb Peak convert|1710|ft|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, is the state-owned Temple Mountain Reservation Area. 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.

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 convert|350|acre|km2|sing=on 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 to create the Temple Mountain Reservation Area.

References

*"Southern New Hampshire Trail Guide" (1999). Boston: The Appalachian Mountain Club.

External links

* [http://www.wapack.org/ Friends of the Wapack]
* [http://www.nhstateparks.org/planning-development/temple-mountain-project.aspx Temple Mountain Project] - New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation