Elevation: 1,660 ft (overall) 2,438 ft (total)
Time: 2:05 (Bald Rock) 4:07 (Summit) 5:26 (Total)
Trails: Old Toll Road, Parker Trail, Cliff Walk Trail, Smith Connecting Link, Amphitheatre Trail, White Arrow Trail, Sidefoot Trail
After a hiking slump and not getting out much, it was time to take advantage of my job giving us all a week off and get back onto the trails. I had been hoping to do something bigger this week, but other plans made that harder to accomplish, so I planned for Mt. Monadnock after a morning appointment. This hike would get me to a nice round 5 summits of the mountain for the year and check off one more day of the year in which I have hiked the mountain. I'd also take a route that would get me onto some trails I want to remap with my newer GPS and red line in winter conditions. Two other sub-goals I have for myself on the mountain.
Normally I prefer not to hike up the Old Toll Road, but today I wanted to hike the entire length of the Cliff Walk Trail, so I needed to use the road to get to the Parker Trail part way up it. The road was a little icy, but walkable without traction. At the start of the Parker Trail there were only a few inches of snow, so I decided to keep going without my microspikes. This trail has pretty gradual grades and from this end only goes up slightly before heading downhill to the other end. Once going downhill, there was some running and standing water in the trail. This section is damp in the summer, and recent warm temps were melting snow. With careful foot placement (and waterproof boots), I was able to stay dry just fine.
Parker Trail
After taking a short break at the base of the cliff Walk Trail, I decided to continue up without traction. The actual climbing started now, but the snow still wasn't that deep and I hadn't been slipping around yet. It doesn't take too long to come upon the only trail ladder on the mountain. This ladder was redone earlier in the year since at least one wooden rung had broken. After this the trail levels out some and becomes more of a walk in the woods for a little bit. The trail then dips down into a bit of a ravine before climbing right back up the other side. It was here that I put on my microspikes. The snow still wasn't deep, but the leaves underneath were making things slippery.
Wooden ladder/stairs on the Cliff Walk Trail
Further up the trail, there were more exposed rocks and the snow became more patchy in places. I left on the spikes because there was ice and slush mixed in that could have easily made things slippery. As the trail continued up the ridge past the many lookouts, the wind stayed mostly off of me. It was windy today, but the trees and other terrain do a surprisingly good job of protecting you on this route. It wasn't until shortly before Bald Rock that I actually put on a layer other than a short sleeve shirt under my windbreaker. Once I was up onto Bald Rock though, I was glad I had the extra layer on my upper body and was wondering if I was going to be wishing I had put one on under my pants by the time I reached the summit.
Cliff Walk Trail near the Noble Trail junction
The summit from Bald Rock
The hike from Bald Rock back to the White Arrow trail is pretty easy except for the immediate descent down off Bald Rock over what can become icy terrain and one small scramble where you will probably have to use your hands to pull yourself up over a large rock. Both of these obstacles were pretty easy to avoid today.
Just after coming onto the White Arrow Trail, there is a normally wet area that wasn't froze up with the warm temperature today. Many people have been going around it, but with waterproof boots I was willing to hop across the stepping stones. This didn't work out that bad today as the rocks were easy to pick out with them forming humps in the snow. Even in winter, I prefer not to go off trail making side paths that damage vegetation on the mountain. There was also an icy section just past this that wasn't bad to negotiate with some care and while wearing Microspikes. It looked like some people had been slipping around here a lot though.
Once above treeline, the trail was largely exposed rock with some patches of snow and ice in places and between rocks. I was able to pick and choose a way through that was easy enough to do plus keep me from walking over too much bare rock and dulling up my spikes. But eventually, just before the last climb up to the summit, I decided it was better to take off my spikes and just stick to the rocks. While the spikes provide great traction on ice, they can be a bit awkward on bare rock when it gets steeper. With bare boots again, the final climb to the summit went quick and easy.
Very little snow above treeline
While it was sunny at the summit, the higher than normal winds meant most people didn't stay long. Sneakers and sweatpants seemed to be the outfit of the day for most people, so they weren't well prepared for the conditions and they didn't hang out long. Some just long enough to tag the summit and turn around. Being well prepared, I actually spent a while at the summit taking pictures, leaning into the wind, and looking at the views I already know so well.
View west from the summit
View southeast from the summit
View northeast from the summit
For the decent, I keep the Microspikes off until just about treeline. I had to be careful in my foot placement at times, but for the most part it was easy going and I even passed other who were struggling with some sort of spikes on their feet. Once near treeline I knew it would be icy and snowy enough to need spikes until I got back to the Old Toll Road.
The descent went smoothly and I decided to take the Sidefoot Trail to avoid what I suspect was a mess of a trail along the White Arrow Trail as it sees so much traffic with much of that traffic not being prepared for the usual conditions of the trail. The Sidefoot Trail had seen some recent activity, but it's also developing some good sized ice bulges. Without any snow built up on top of them for added traction, they could be slick and difficult for some. Careful foot placement for a good trip down though without any falls.
Ice bulge on Sidefoot Trail
All in all the hike went well today and it was nice to be back out after a couple months not hiking much of anything. Also fun to get back to this mountain when the sun is shinning. Add in the extra wind for fun and it's even better. Having been to the summit 84 times now, I enjoy the quiet days and the days where the weather adds a little something to the hike.
Route for the day
For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE
