Also known as: Straightback
Straightback South is the southern summit of Straightback Mountain in the Belknap Range, a low chain of Lakes Region peaks in Alton, New Hampshire. At 1,883 feet, the top is more plateau than peak, where open granite ledges break through the mixed forest and offer southerly views over rolling hills and Sunset Lake, with partial views across the Lakes Region.
The Belknap Range Trail runs the ridge connecting Belknap Mountain to the west and Mt. Major to the east, passing within 0.1 miles of the south summit. A popular loop combining the summit with Mt. Major covers roughly 7.8 miles with about 1,580 feet of gain, climbing through forest and across rocky ledges to the summit plateau. A more demanding alternative arrives via the Precipice Path, a 2-mile circuit that scrambles up a narrow waterfall and traverses an exposed cliff walk before joining the Straightback-Anna Link Trail near the top. Just west of the south summit, Dave Roberts' Quarry Trail begins a ridge traverse through old-growth spruce, linking onward to Mt. Klem and providing deeper access into the range.
The ledgy sections near the summit can be slippery when wet or icy. Fall is a rewarding time to visit, with deciduous foliage turning quickly on these lower-elevation slopes and vivid color framing the southerly views.
