Wednesday Winter Hike: Cotton Trail

Join Director of Education, Kyle Salmons, for a mix of gentle hike and steep climb on an out-and-back 1.4 mile hike up Cotton Mountain. Start 2025 off with a winter hike up to the summit of the first (or last, depending on your perspective) mountain on the Squam Range. Nestled close to the town of Holderness, Cotton Mountain is the perfect winter hike to get used to steep terrain with a short hiking section and without the risk of being out in the wilderness.

Our Wednesday Winter Hike series can help you get comfortable hiking in the winter season and introduce you to both locals and visitors looking to explore in the winter season. Additionally, these hikes are all a part of the Squam Rangers challenge hosted by the SLA. While not required, this is a great chance to check some hikes off your list if you are working towards your Squam Ranger!

All skill levels are welcome. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Registration is required for this free event.

Cotton Mountain Trailhead on 113, Holderness.

Cotton Mountain, Old Highway trail, Prescott Trail, Mt Livermore, Old Mtn Road trail and Brooks Fisher Trail - is on the private property of Burleigh, LLP who generously allows public access along the trails maintained by the SLA.

Please pack snacks and water! We will be taking breaks on the trail as needed.

Participants should be sure to have appropriate attire and layering for winter hiking. Extra layers, comfortable water resistant hiking shoes, and snowshoes and/or microspikes may be needed depending on conditions. The SLA can provide snowshoes & microspikes for up to six participants. Other snow hiking gear may be available upon request.

Not sure what to pack? Check out our Winter Day Hiking Checklist for some ideas. Feel free to reach out to the SLA with any questions!

Kyle Salmons is the Director of Education at SLA and first came to the Squam Lakes Association in 2015 as a Squam Conservation Intern.

Kyle grew up in western New York where he graduated from the State University of New York at Oswego with a BS in Chemistry.

In his free time, Kyle can be found jumping off a paddleboard, playing board games, or, if you look closely enough, huddled under a pile of blankets listening to his newest Sci-Fi novel.