New Hampshire Route 115
Encyclopedia
New Hampshire Route 115 (abbreviated NH 115) is a 9.69 miles (15.6 km) long north–south state highway
in Coos County
in northern New Hampshire
. The southern terminus of NH 115 is at U.S. Route 3 in Carroll
north of Twin Mountain
. The northern terminus is at the intersection with U.S. Route 2 in Jefferson
. NH 115 is also known as Owl's Head Highway, named after an adjacent mountain prominence
.
(Cherry Mountain Road) and New Hampshire Route 115B (Israel's River Road), where it crosses the Israel River
. Several hiking
trail
s can be accessed from NH 115 including the Cohos Trail
and two trails up Cherry Mountain, each with designated parking areas. The Agnew State Forest is accessible to the south, via Cherry Mountain Road.
The speed limit varies from 40 miles per hour in Twin Mountain to 55 mi/h over the remainder. Much of the road skirts the White Mountain National Forest
or other wildlife conservation land.
A spectacular viewpoint is located on NH 115 where it crosses the Jefferson town line, permitting views of distant mountains to the north and west, in Vermont
as well as the Pilot Range and Pliny Range in New Hampshire. The Mountain View Grand Hotel is also visible, as is the Mount Washington Regional Airport
, both in Whitefield
. The airport is accessible via the Airport Road intersection below the viewpoint.
Part of NH 115 once followed what is now NH 115A to NH 115B as well as NH 115B to Stag Hollow Road. In the 1980s, the road was significantly simplified, widened and straightened, resulting in a new alignment to the south of NH 115B. The increased speeds of the improved route may have directly contributed to a significant number of tragic moose
-vehicle
collisions in recent years along that section.
in Coos County
, New Hampshire
. The southern terminus of the road is at New Hampshire Route 115 south of Jefferson
at Old Cherry Mountain Road. The northern terminus of NH 115A is at U.S. Route 2 in Jefferson at the Old Corner Store.
, along the Israel River
in Jefferson
. NH 115B was part of NH 115 prior to the southerly relocation and improvement of that route.
NH 115B, also known as Israel's River Road, is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and continues across NH 115 as Valley Road, once the main route from Jefferson to Randolph
and beyond. An RV
campsite
is located along this road.
State highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in Coos County
Coos County, New Hampshire
-National protected areas:*Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge *Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge *White Mountain National Forest -Demographics:...
in northern New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. The southern terminus of NH 115 is at U.S. Route 3 in Carroll
Carroll, New Hampshire
Carroll is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 763 at the 2010 census. The two largest villages are Twin Mountain and Bretton Woods. Carroll is an important access point for recreational areas in the White Mountains, including many 4,000-footers, the Zealand...
north of Twin Mountain
Twin Mountain, New Hampshire
Twin Mountain is a village within the town of Carroll in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It is named for two prominent summits which rise to the south of the village, North Twin Mountain and South Twin Mountain ....
. The northern terminus is at the intersection with U.S. Route 2 in Jefferson
Jefferson, New Hampshire
Jefferson is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,107 at the 2010 census. It is home to parts of the White Mountain National Forest in the south and northeast and to two theme parks: Santa's Village and...
. NH 115 is also known as Owl's Head Highway, named after an adjacent mountain prominence
Owl's Head (Carroll)
Owl's Head or Owlshead is a peak of Cherry Mountain, in Carroll, New Hampshire, United States, and the White Mountain National Forest...
.
Route description
NH 115 intersects New Hampshire Route 115ANew Hampshire Route 115A
New Hampshire Route 115A is a long north–south state highway in Coos County, New Hampshire. The southern terminus of the road is at New Hampshire Route 115 south of Jefferson at Old Cherry Mountain Road. The northern terminus of NH 115A is at U.S...
(Cherry Mountain Road) and New Hampshire Route 115B (Israel's River Road), where it crosses the Israel River
Israel River
The Israel River is a river in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It arises in the township of Low and Burbank's Grant and runs 24 miles generally northwest along U.S. Highway 2, traversing the towns of Jefferson and Lancaster, before joining the Connecticut River...
. Several hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail
Trail
A trail is a path with a rough beaten or dirt/stone surface used for travel. Trails may be for use only by walkers and in some places are the main access route to remote settlements...
s can be accessed from NH 115 including the Cohos Trail
Cohos Trail
The Cohos Trail is a hiking trail running through northern New Hampshire in the United States, connecting the northern and southern ends of Coos County...
and two trails up Cherry Mountain, each with designated parking areas. The Agnew State Forest is accessible to the south, via Cherry Mountain Road.
The speed limit varies from 40 miles per hour in Twin Mountain to 55 mi/h over the remainder. Much of the road skirts the White Mountain National Forest
White Mountain National Forest
The White Mountain National Forest is a federally-managed forest contained within the White Mountains in the northeastern United States. It was established in 1918 as a result of the Weeks Act of 1911; federal acquisition of land had already begun in 1914. It has a total area of...
or other wildlife conservation land.
A spectacular viewpoint is located on NH 115 where it crosses the Jefferson town line, permitting views of distant mountains to the north and west, in Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
as well as the Pilot Range and Pliny Range in New Hampshire. The Mountain View Grand Hotel is also visible, as is the Mount Washington Regional Airport
Mount Washington Regional Airport
Mount Washington Regional Airport is a public airport located east of downtown Whitefield in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA. The Civil Air Patrol maintains a composite squadron at this location....
, both in Whitefield
Whitefield, New Hampshire
Whitefield is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, USA, in the White Mountains Region. The population was 2,306 at the 2010 census. Situated on the northern edge of the White Mountains, Whitefield is home to the Mount Washington Regional Airport and the White Mountains Regional High...
. The airport is accessible via the Airport Road intersection below the viewpoint.
History
Before 1970, the northern terminus of NH 115 was moved from the intersection of Stag Hollow Road and US 2 to its present location at the Hollow Road/US 2 junction a quarter mile to the southeast.Part of NH 115 once followed what is now NH 115A to NH 115B as well as NH 115B to Stag Hollow Road. In the 1980s, the road was significantly simplified, widened and straightened, resulting in a new alignment to the south of NH 115B. The increased speeds of the improved route may have directly contributed to a significant number of tragic moose
Moose
The moose or Eurasian elk is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males; other members of the family have antlers with a dendritic configuration...
-vehicle
Vehicle
A vehicle is a device that is designed or used to transport people or cargo. Most often vehicles are manufactured, such as bicycles, cars, motorcycles, trains, ships, boats, and aircraft....
collisions in recent years along that section.
New Hampshire Route 115A
New Hampshire Route 115A (abbreviated NH 115A) is a 4.12 miles (6.6 km) long north–south state highwayState highway
State highway, state road or state route can refer to one of three related concepts, two of them related to a state or provincial government in a country that is divided into states or provinces :#A...
in Coos County
Coos County, New Hampshire
-National protected areas:*Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge *Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge *White Mountain National Forest -Demographics:...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
. The southern terminus of the road is at New Hampshire Route 115 south of Jefferson
Jefferson, New Hampshire
Jefferson is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,107 at the 2010 census. It is home to parts of the White Mountain National Forest in the south and northeast and to two theme parks: Santa's Village and...
at Old Cherry Mountain Road. The northern terminus of NH 115A is at U.S. Route 2 in Jefferson at the Old Corner Store.
New Hampshire Route 115B
New Hampshire Route 115B (abbreviated NH 115B) is the designation for an east–west connector between New Hampshire Route 115 and New Hampshire Route 115ANew Hampshire Route 115A
New Hampshire Route 115A is a long north–south state highway in Coos County, New Hampshire. The southern terminus of the road is at New Hampshire Route 115 south of Jefferson at Old Cherry Mountain Road. The northern terminus of NH 115A is at U.S...
, along the Israel River
Israel River
The Israel River is a river in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. It arises in the township of Low and Burbank's Grant and runs 24 miles generally northwest along U.S. Highway 2, traversing the towns of Jefferson and Lancaster, before joining the Connecticut River...
in Jefferson
Jefferson, New Hampshire
Jefferson is a town in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 1,107 at the 2010 census. It is home to parts of the White Mountain National Forest in the south and northeast and to two theme parks: Santa's Village and...
. NH 115B was part of NH 115 prior to the southerly relocation and improvement of that route.
NH 115B, also known as Israel's River Road, is approximately 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long and continues across NH 115 as Valley Road, once the main route from Jefferson to Randolph
Randolph, New Hampshire
Randolph is a heavily forested town in Coos County, New Hampshire, U.S., extending from the northern slopes of the White Mountains of the Presidential Range to Berlin , with U.S. Route 2 cutting through the middle...
and beyond. An RV
Recreational vehicle
Recreational vehicle or RV is, in North America, the usual term for a Motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home.-Features:...
campsite
Campsite
A campsite or camping pitch is a place used for overnight stay in the outdoors. In British English a campsite is an area, usually divided into a number of pitches, where people can camp overnight using tents or camper vans or caravans; this British English use of the word is synonymous with the...
is located along this road.