Hurricane Mountain Wilderness Area

State Land Master Plan February 2014 Description

This area is located in the Towns of Elizabethtown, Jay, Keene and Lewis, Essex County. It is predominantly steep, rocky ground with thin soils. Hurricane Mountain, 3,694 feet in elevation, dominates the area. On the north the area is separated from the Jay Wilderness Area by the Jay Mountain Road, a rough road not plowed in the winter. Should the road ever be closed or abandoned, all or a major portion of this area could be consolidated with the Jay Wilderness.

Spectacular views of Giant Mountain and High Peaks regions to the south, as well as the Champlain Valley and the Green Mountains of Vermont to the east, are afforded the hiker who scales Hurricane. There are three trails to Hurricane Mountain, permitting access by all types of hikers. Hikers can also traverse the fairly open circuit trail from Big Crow Mountain across Weston Mountain, down to Lost Pond and back to the starting point while enjoying the panorama of the High Peaks to the southwest.

In 2010, 13,948 acres of the area were reclassified as Wilderness from Primitive when 0.5 acres of land associated with the Hurricane Mountain Fire Tower was reclassified to Historic.

A Unit Management Plan was adopted for this area in 2010.

Mapping Resources:
(Not from the State Land Master Plan or Unit Management Plans)

Recreational Opportunities Map

View larger map with additional options

Soils and Wetlands