Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire (Nov 23, 2018)
Nov 26, 2018 7:29:47 GMT -8
zeke, null, and 2 more like this
Post by GaliWalker on Nov 26, 2018 7:29:47 GMT -8
Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire (Nov 23, 2018)
Route: I took the White Dot Trail to the summit; retraced my steps from the summit to pick up the Smith Connecting Trail; continued down the Cliff Walk Trail; took a left on the Parker Trail to finish the loop.
The past few years our Thanksgiving break has been spent in New England, which has allowed me the opportunity to tuck in some hikes on the local mountains. Mt Monadnock, located in southern New Hampshire has become a favorite; it's located relatively close to our basecamp, has an expansive and quite beautiful summit area, and sports great 360° views. It's an extremely popular hiking spot though; not even the spicy conditions of late November deter the hardy New England crowds.
Since I had used the short and steep, but also the most popular, White Dot Trail to make my way up to the summit the past two times, I decided to switch things up this year by taking the much longer and lonelier Pumpelly Trail. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a good place to park near the trailhead, because the spots that should have been available were under deep snow. I ended up not taking the risk of leaving my car in a less than ideal spot beside the road and drove over to the substantial parking area for the White Dot Trail. I guess I would have to repeat the route I'd done twice before now.
Despite my later than anticipated arrival time of 6:45am I was the only person at the trailhead. The temperature was a frigid 5°F, but calm and still, so not too bad. There was a lot more snow and ice this year, due to a recent snowstorm, so I was forced to put on my microspikes right from the start, and they were essential footwear. The snow wasn't too much of an issue due to the well packed trail but the ice was thick and nearly impenetrable for the spikes.
After a relatively moderate climb for the first 0.8mi the grade steepened considerably, at times becoming a semi-scramble. Navigating the snow and ice coated granite boulders required care and attention. It was all worth it though as I broke out of the woods and gained the open amphitheater that led to the summit block lectern.
As I made my way up towards the summit a swift wind began to blast me, knifing through my balaclava and woolen cap and into my head; it felt like I was being stabbed by stilettos of ice. All thoughts of doing careful photography were quickly abandoned. I did take pictures but they were quick snapshots. It was extremely beautiful though.
After a short stop at the summit I headed back down the White Dot Trail for a bit, where it intersected the White Cross Trail. I took the latter and descended down this for a few dozen yards, which is where I knew the Smith Connecting Trail began. Unlike the well tramped down surface of the White Dot Trail, the snow on these trails was a foot deep. There was no sign of where the Smith Connecting Trail began, and if I hadn't been there before I would not have found it.
I headed down pristine, untouched snow slopes towards Bald Rock, a sub-summit on the south ridge of the mountain. After working my through a wooded section I reached Bald Rock, which provided beautiful views of the Mount Monadnock summit and the surrounding countryside.
From Bald Rock I headed down the Cliff Walk Trail, though snowy woods. Just before its intersection with the Parker Trail a snowy ladder interjected even more fun to the ever increasing steepness of the descent.
I finished my loop hike by taking the mostly flat Parker Trail back to the parking lot. This was full of cars by now, but I had somehow managed to avoid seeing a single other soul on my entire hike.
Hiking/Photography stats: 5.6mi, 2200ft elevation gain, 5hrs
Postscript:
The next day I took the family to Wadsworth Falls State Park, in Connecticut, for a more sedate 4mi hike. Here are a couple of pictures of the beautiful waterfall:
Route: I took the White Dot Trail to the summit; retraced my steps from the summit to pick up the Smith Connecting Trail; continued down the Cliff Walk Trail; took a left on the Parker Trail to finish the loop.
The past few years our Thanksgiving break has been spent in New England, which has allowed me the opportunity to tuck in some hikes on the local mountains. Mt Monadnock, located in southern New Hampshire has become a favorite; it's located relatively close to our basecamp, has an expansive and quite beautiful summit area, and sports great 360° views. It's an extremely popular hiking spot though; not even the spicy conditions of late November deter the hardy New England crowds.
Since I had used the short and steep, but also the most popular, White Dot Trail to make my way up to the summit the past two times, I decided to switch things up this year by taking the much longer and lonelier Pumpelly Trail. Unfortunately, I was unable to find a good place to park near the trailhead, because the spots that should have been available were under deep snow. I ended up not taking the risk of leaving my car in a less than ideal spot beside the road and drove over to the substantial parking area for the White Dot Trail. I guess I would have to repeat the route I'd done twice before now.
Despite my later than anticipated arrival time of 6:45am I was the only person at the trailhead. The temperature was a frigid 5°F, but calm and still, so not too bad. There was a lot more snow and ice this year, due to a recent snowstorm, so I was forced to put on my microspikes right from the start, and they were essential footwear. The snow wasn't too much of an issue due to the well packed trail but the ice was thick and nearly impenetrable for the spikes.
After a relatively moderate climb for the first 0.8mi the grade steepened considerably, at times becoming a semi-scramble. Navigating the snow and ice coated granite boulders required care and attention. It was all worth it though as I broke out of the woods and gained the open amphitheater that led to the summit block lectern.
As I made my way up towards the summit a swift wind began to blast me, knifing through my balaclava and woolen cap and into my head; it felt like I was being stabbed by stilettos of ice. All thoughts of doing careful photography were quickly abandoned. I did take pictures but they were quick snapshots. It was extremely beautiful though.
After a short stop at the summit I headed back down the White Dot Trail for a bit, where it intersected the White Cross Trail. I took the latter and descended down this for a few dozen yards, which is where I knew the Smith Connecting Trail began. Unlike the well tramped down surface of the White Dot Trail, the snow on these trails was a foot deep. There was no sign of where the Smith Connecting Trail began, and if I hadn't been there before I would not have found it.
I headed down pristine, untouched snow slopes towards Bald Rock, a sub-summit on the south ridge of the mountain. After working my through a wooded section I reached Bald Rock, which provided beautiful views of the Mount Monadnock summit and the surrounding countryside.
From Bald Rock I headed down the Cliff Walk Trail, though snowy woods. Just before its intersection with the Parker Trail a snowy ladder interjected even more fun to the ever increasing steepness of the descent.
I finished my loop hike by taking the mostly flat Parker Trail back to the parking lot. This was full of cars by now, but I had somehow managed to avoid seeing a single other soul on my entire hike.
Hiking/Photography stats: 5.6mi, 2200ft elevation gain, 5hrs
Postscript:
The next day I took the family to Wadsworth Falls State Park, in Connecticut, for a more sedate 4mi hike. Here are a couple of pictures of the beautiful waterfall:
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