The Legend of
Mt. Chocorua

courtesy of Moe's grandfather, Fuzzy Moose, who's as old as the hills...

Mount Chocorua's legend goes all the way back to the early 18th Century when this region was home to the Peqwagget tribe. When British colonists arrived and bloodshed ensued, the tribe headed north. Chocorua, a proud and bold chief, however, refused to go. Chocorua raised his son Tuamba to believe that the land of mountains was theirs and not the white man's.

Chocorua, however, did manage to befriend settler Cornelius Campbell and his family. Chocorua trusted the Campbells enough to put Tuamba in their care while he went north for a tribal pow-wow. Unfortunately, Tuamba ate some poison that was meant to drive off the local wolves and died. The grieving Campbells buried the young Indian.

Two months later, while Cornelius was away from the farm, Chief Chocorua returned to find his son dead. He killed Cornelius' wife and young son and ran off screaming to his mountains.

When Cornelius discovered that his family had been slain, he knew right away that Chocorua was responsible and set off to avenge his loved ones. Cornelius finally caught up with the fleeing Indian at the top of the highest mountain peak. Chocorua raised his arms to the sky and shouted, "Evil spirits breathe death upon the cattle of the white man! Wind and fire destroy your dwellings! Panthers and wolves howl and grow fat on your bones. Chocorua goes now to the Great Spirit!" Chocorua then leapt off the mountain and fell to his death on the rocks below.

Two years later, the body of Cornelius was found dead, partially eaten by wolves. One hundred years to the day of his death a devastating plague killed all the cattle from Albany to Conway, New Hampshire. Remember this haunting legend ~ to climb Chocorua is to also step back into the mists of time and remember those who come before us.

FUZZY MOOSE

ON OUR WILD SIDE...

Moose: This largest member of the deer family weighs up to 1,600 pounds even though it eats only plants!

White Tail Deer: Your best chance for seeing these graceful deer is just before sunrise or just after sunset!

Beaver: These engineers of the animal world are famous for their river dams!

Raccoon: Rascally raccoons are known to dig through garbage, so make sure your campsite is clean before you go to sleep!

Also be on the lookout for Eastern Chipmunk and Red and Gray Squirrels!