Profile Lake

Profile Lake is a small, clear mountain lake below the former Old Man of the Mountain site on Cannon Mountain, at the headwaters of the Pemigewasset River. It suits a quiet shoreline stop, a reflective view, or fly fishing. The lake and the Old Man of the Mountain memorial are related but separate visits: the lake access is at the south end, while the Profiler Plaza is on the north shore.

Profile Lake has also been called Old Man's Washbowl and Ferrin's Pond. The Old Man was a face-shaped formation of five granite blocks, about 40 feet high and 25 feet wide, on Cannon Mountain roughly 1,200 feet above the lake. It collapsed overnight on May 2–3, 2003. The north-shore Profiler Plaza now marks the view with seven metal frames aligned to recreate the profile and 1,000 engraved pavers; it's a separate stop from the south-shore lake access.

On a calm day, the lake mirrors the forested slopes and the steep rock of Eagle Cliff. The broad view across the water gives the cliff a strong reflection, while a closer shoreline angle adds boulders and trees in the foreground. The southern parking area is the pin for reaching the lake; use the north-shore parking and walk into the plaza separately if you want the recreated profile view.