West Royce Mountain rises to 3,210 feet above Evans Notch, forming the northern terminus of the Baldface-Royce Range along the New Hampshire-Maine border. Its summit sits in Beans Purchase, NH, while its companion East Royce Mountain (3,114 ft) lies just across the state line in Maine. The wooded top once supported a fire tower; though the tower is long gone, its concrete foundations remain on a short spur path near the summit. The best views come from open ledges just below the top, with a vista looking northeast toward the Speckled Mountain massif in Maine and the terrain behind East Royce.
The standard route pairs the East Royce Trail with the Royce Trail, covering both Royce peaks in roughly 6 miles with about 2,400 feet of gain. The trail begins at the height of land on ME 113 in Evans Notch, crosses Evans Brook, and climbs the steep notch wall before easing along the ridge to the summit. Despite the sub-4,000-foot elevation, the pitch rivals many White Mountain 4,000-footers. Two other approaches reach the peak from below: the Burnt Mill Brook Trail from the south, and the Basin Rim Trail, which traverses the ridge connecting Mount Meader to West Royce and enables loop combinations. Note that ME 113 through Evans Notch closes seasonally in winter, typically from late November through late April, requiring a longer approach during those months.
