If there’s one mountains that lets you know you’re in New Hampshire, it’s Mount Chocorua. With a summit elevation of only 3,490′ it’s not the tallest in the state, that distinction goes to 6,288′ Mount Washington. What Mount Chocorua lacks in elevation it makes up with a distinctly recognizable profile, one that can be seen from miles in any direction. The profile is so distinct that when the U.S. Mint was designing the White Mountain National Forest quarter, released in 2013 as part of the America the Beautiful series of quarters, it was Mount Chocorua that they chose to represent the White Mountains.

Is it any wonder why I, along with countless other photographers and artists find it nearly impossible to resist this iconic mountains allure?