Gap Mountain Tow

Not much is known about this ski area that operated in Troy. During the 1948-1949 season, the area had two 1600 foot rope tows which served open and semi-open slopes. It was located 2 miles south of Troy. There is no evidence of the area on Terraserver.

NELSAP reader S. Carter stumbled upon the old tow while out hiking. Here is what he had to say.
"In hiking Gap Mountain, I came across what appeared to be the remains of an old rope tow. It consists of a steel frame, various gears and sprockets, and a large grooved wheel that would have driven the rope. The engine is gone, but the mounts remain. Little is left of the building surrounding it. It is located about half way up the trail from the end of Gap Mountain Road. From Troy center, proceed south on route 12, 1.5 miles to Gap Mountain Road, on the left. Parking is about one down the road mile, near a swamp. Proceed on foot to the end of the tarred road, and pass a gate at the end of the road. The trail starts on the right, about 100 yards, beyond the gate. After about five minutes, the trail enters an old clearing. In the fall, the tow is visible from the trail, on the right about 200 feet from the trail. With leaves on the trees, it would be difficult to see, but it is quite visible now."

According to Larry Luopa at the Village Barn Hardware Store in the Center of Troy, Gap Mountain was started by a millionaire who's last name was Aldredge sometime in the 40's. He made the ski tow mainly for his own family, and was never opened publicly. Mr. Luopa also confirmed the location of this lost area.

John Tyler, who now lives in the farmhouse at the top of Gap Mountain Rd., reports that the area was planned, built and rarely if ever used. He says that the tow was probably built on the wrong side of the mountain as it was a south facing slope and rarely was able to hold enough snow. He also said that the other side of the mountain, however, was too steep for skiing.

There was a bottom lift house that had a big, 6ft. in diameter, Iron wheel at the bottom of what was the ski hill. This building has been knocked down because of the threat of danger to hikers along the trail as it was less than 50 ft from the trail. He said that the last time he climbed the trail, at least 6 years ago, the top house, partially collapsed and with the big wheels for the rope was still there.

Apparently, there were plans to develop a resort on the mountain in the early 1970's. This could have been a ski area, or perhaps something else.

On a recent visit Laurie P. found the directions above to be a little outdated as the trailhead has been moved so that it now goes around the outer perimeter of the houses currently located at the top of the dead end road and hikers are encouraged to hike the trail rather than taking the road that cuts through the middle of the Tyler property. There is a parking lot at the trail head and a kiosk with a map of the mountain and nearby Mt. Monadnock. The trail hike is now about a 10 to 15 minute trek to get to the point where the directions above begin. After going through the field you will come to another kiosk with a few posters about trail safety and rules on it. As you continue up the mountain past this kiosk you will find the ruins of the building mentioned above that was said to house the 6 foot, Iron wheel.

Continue up the trail past these ruins for about five minutes and you will come to the clearing mentioned in the previous set of directions.

The actual lift remnants are about 100 to 200 feet down the hill from this clearing. As you begin down the hill keep and eye to the left. You will see the roof portion of the partially collapsed lift house through the trees about 200 feet into the woods. The following pictures were taken of the remaining parts of the lift.

The total length of the lift, based on where the bottom building was and where I found the top building is estimated to be about 500 yards. I was unable to locate any remnants of the second lift on this visit.

Does anyone have any further information on the Gap Mountain tow? If so email us!

Year	Lifts	Trails	Other Info	Source
1948-1949	Two 1600 foot tows	open and semi open slopes	Located off Rte 12, 2 miles south of Troy	NH Winter Map