Also known as: Quarry
West Quarry Mountain sits at 1,894 feet in the Belknap Range of central New Hampshire, part of a 507-acre Forest Society reservation in Alton and Gilford. The mountain's name reflects its past: former granite quarry operations left scattered stone foundations and metal artifacts that hikers still encounter along the trail, alongside evidence of old livestock pastures now reclaimed by mixed forest of white pine, red spruce, red maple, and red oak growing from shallow, ledgy soils.
The standard approach follows Old Clough Road to the Dave Roberts' Quarry Trail, which climbs steeply through forest past the remnants of the old quarry site before reaching the summit area. The wooded high point at 1,894 feet lies roughly 100 feet beyond the summit sign via a short herd path and has no views of its own, but open ledges along the Quarry Trail offer outlooks toward Rand Mountain, Gunstock, and Mount Rowe. An alternative approach from Reed Road passes a shallow beaver pond that draws wood ducks, hooded mergansers, great blue herons, and occasional moose. From the saddle between East and West Quarry, views extend north across Lake Winnipesaukee to the Sandwich Range and, on clear days, to Mounts Whiteface and Passaconaway.
The combined loop with Rand Mountain covers roughly 5.3 miles with around 1,400 feet of gain. Spring through fall are the prime seasons; tick awareness is advisable near the lower trailhead, and the steep sections of the Quarry Trail can be slick when wet.
