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Middle Sugarloaf

Franconia Area - NH52 With a View peak guide

283 ft Franconia Area
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2,538 ft

Middle Sugarloaf

Mountain Overview
Middle Sugarloaf is a 2,538-foot member of the New Hampshire 52 With a View list.
General Info
Elevation
2,538 ft
Prominence
283 ft
Range
Franconia Area
Trail type
Out & back
Difficulty
Moderate
Exposure
Medium - open ledges with drop-offs; forested approach.
Typical time
1.8–2.8 hours
Best seasons
Year-round; winter requires traction on icy ledges.
Water availability
Limited - generally dry; little seasonal water low on trail only.
Cell reception
Spotty - often workable on ledges; variable lower down.
List status
Current — 2025-06 revision
First Photo & Camera
Mountain
Middle Sugarloaf
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Description
Middle Sugarloaf is a 2,538-foot member of the New Hampshire 52 With a View list.
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Area Map

NH52WAV area map with summit marker and available nearby trail geometry.

Peak area map

Static map preview

Middle Sugarloaf: summit area with linked trail context.

Summit: 44.2517, -71.5176

Trails: Zealand Rd > Sugarloaf Trail > North & Middle Sugarloaf

Trails

Route details

Zealand Rd > Sugarloaf Trail > North & Middle Sugarloaf
Distance
3.4 mi
Elevation gain
1100 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Trail type
Out & back

Current Summit Weather

NOAA / NWS point forecast for this summit location.

Astronomy

Sun and moon timing for this peak.

USNO Snapshot unavailable

Astronomy timing is temporarily unavailable.

Monthly Weather Averages

NOAA/NCEI nClimGrid · summit-specific grid cell
Summit-area climate context

These 1991–2020 gridded normals use the nearest NOAA cell to this summit. They describe regional climatology, not exact summit observations or a forecast.

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

0 / 3
Sources & method

Climate reference: NOAA nClimGrid cell nearest Middle Sugarloaf · 1991-2020 · 0.041666666666666664° grid

Solar reference: Middle Sugarloaf · 2026

Wind is not displayed: January hourly coverage is below the 80% threshold.

NOAA/NCEI · nClimGrid Monthly Gridded Climate Normals 1991-2020

Climatology describes typical conditions, not a forecast.

Parking & Access

Zealand Rd
Trailhead
Zealand Rd
Parking notes
Popular trailhead with limited capacity; arrive early on weekends and follow posted signage/fees.

Difficulty Metrics

Difficulty class
Moderate
Typical completion time
1.8–2.8 hours
Route options
1

Risk & Preparation

Exposure
Medium - open ledges with drop-offs; forested approach.
Weather exposure
High - open ledges amplify wind/ice and thunderstorm risk.
Water availability
Limited - generally dry; little seasonal water low on trail only.
Cell reception
Spotty - often workable on ledges; variable lower down.
Emergency bailout
Out-and-back; turn around before exposed ledges in poor conditions.

Wilderness Safety

Data TBD for this route.

Trail & Terrain

Terrain
Short-to-moderate hike; rocky near summit with open ledge walking.
Scramble sections
Minor - short hands-on rock steps near top.
View type
360° expansive - open ledges with sweeping Franconia-area views.
Summit marker
Cairns/signage on open ledges.
Flora / environment
Hardwoods low; mixed conifer higher; lichen ledges.

Conditions & Access