Franconia in Grafton County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)
Viewing the Old Man
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2017
1. Viewing the Old Man Marker
These seven large rods are an interactive sculpture that honors the Old Man of the Mountain, the celebrated profile that collapsed due to natural forces sometime in the night on May 3, 2003.
You are in the same spot where travelers have stopped to view this remarkable natural phenomenon for nearly 200 years. Though the fabled stone face is gone, this monument allows a new and unique experience of "viewing" the Old Man of the Mountain.
Find the pink granite stone engraved with the number closest to your height (3 to 7 feet).
Stand on the engraved footprints on that stone.
Sight along the Profiler rod in front of you with one eye closed, and align the bumps on the side of the rod.
The Profile will come into view just as it once was, high on the cliff.
After the fall of the Old Man of the Mountain in 2003, the Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund created Profiler Plaza in partnership with the NH Division of Parks and Recreation. This monument was dedicated in 2011. All costs were underwritten by private contributions.
Erected 2011 by New Hampshire Division of Parks and Recreation & Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists:
this page online
Location. 44° 9.944′ N, 71° 40.73′ W. Marker is in Franconia, New Hampshire, in Grafton County. Marker can be reached from Tramway Drive west of Styles Bridges Highway (Interstate 93) when traveling south. Marker is located at the Old Man in the Mountain Profile Plaza, about a quarter mile walk south from the Old Man in the Mountain Historic Site parking lot, within Franconia Notch State Park. Take exit 34-B from Interstate 93. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Franconia NH 03580, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Preserving a Fragile Formation (here, next to this marker); The Old Man of the Mountain (a few steps from this marker); Franconia Notch (a few steps from this marker); Why is it called A NOTCH? (a few steps from this marker); A Delicate Balance (a few steps from this marker); Profile Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); Landslides (within shouting distance of this marker); Eagle Cliff (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Franconia.
More about this marker. There are two identical copies of this marker, only a few yards apart, within the
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2017
2. Viewing the Old Man Marker (wide view)
Also see . . . The Old Man of the Mountain Profile Plaza.
The Old Man of the Mountain Legacy Fund, with the support of hundreds of people, has created the Profile Plaza in Franconia Notch as a lasting monument to honor the Old Man. (Submitted on April 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2017
3. Viewing the Old Man - Profiler Rods (interactive metal sculpture)
These profiler rods allow you to visualize the "Old Man" as he looked for centuries before the May 3, 2003 collapse.
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2017
4. Viewing the Old Man - Profiler Rods
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 8, 2017
5. Viewing the Old Man - Profiler Rod (close view)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 21, 2018. It was originally submitted on April 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 257 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 18, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
