Mt. Monadnock (3,165 ft) 6-22-19

Distance: 7.01 mi.
Elevation: 1,646 ft (overall) 1,790 ft (total)
Time: 4:58 (Summit) 8:48 (Total) -- With a 5 year old setting the pace
Trails: Old Halfway House Trail, Thoreau Trail, Cliff Walk Trail, Smith Connecting Trail, Amphitheatre Trail, White Arrow Trail, Old Toll Road

Today's hike of Mt. Monadnock would be a bit different than normal for me. Today would be my oldest (5 yrs) daughter's first attempt to hike it all under her own power. After a couple other test hikes earlier this year, I think she is ready to try hiking her first "big" peak. I choose a route that would let her do things she likes. Multiple views on the way up, some of my favorite spots, and plenty of rocks to scramble up and over.

Ready to start the hike

We started off on the Old Halfway House Trail as I'd much rather hike the trail next to the road than walk up the road, plus I figured we would be coming down the road at the end when she was more tired. After our first view at the Old Halfway House site, we went up the Thoreau Trail which at it's end brought us to another view. From there we continued up the Cliff Walk Trail which has scattered views and some scrambly bits before a great view at Bald Rock.

Happily hiking up the trail

View from the Cliff Walk Trail

Climbing a rocky section

From Bald Rock we went up the Smith Connecting Trail and then across part of the Amphitheatre Trail. Both of these trails have some interesting things to look at along them if you are paying attention. Whether it be interesting rocks or trees in odd shapes from dealing with the weather and continuing to grow. Once to the White Arrow Trail we took that up to the summit since it had more climbing up and over child sized rocks. My daughter seemed to always want to go over those rocks rather than around.

Made it to Bald Rock and still happy

A small downpour just missing the mountain

At the summit it was pretty breezy, so my daughter didn't get very far from my side since it was a bit hard for her to walk without getting blown around. After pointing out some of the things you can see from the summit (unfortunately she couldn't make out Boston when I tried to show her that) we found a place for some snacks and drinks away from the most crowded spots. It was busy at the summit, but not as busy as I expected.

Made it to the summit

Trying to stay out of the wind

Summit views

Summit views

For the descent we went down the White Arrow Trail and then the Old Toll Road. I thought being the most direct route this would help with my daughter's tired legs. In hind sight I should have thought about her needing to climb down over all the rocks on this route. Next time I think I would come down the Sidefoot Trail as it has better footing and wouldn't really add much if any distance. Near the bottom of the Old Toll Road I could tell my daughter was getting pretty tired. I offered to carry her backpack at this point and it was the first time I had to help her carry her stuff. I was super impressed with how well she did for the entire hike and how much fun she was having the entire time. She was thrilled to tell everyone about the hike, even while we were still on our way down.

Interesting clouds on the descent

Google Earth representation of the hike

For all the pictures from the hike, just go to my gallery on SmugMug

Peak Above The Nubble (3,813 ft) 6-15-19

Distance: 8.26 mi.
Elevation: 2,350 ft (overall) 2,573 ft (total)
Time: 0:43 (3 Rocks) 2:45 (Summit) 3:57 (3 Rocks) 5:39 (Total)
Trails: Haystack Road, Bushwhack

The next peak to check of the New England Hundred Highest list would be Peak Above the Nubble. Unfortunately while other roads were opening up for the summer, Haystack Road was still closed. This meant a an easy walk out the road as a warm up. After some walking and then a long straightaway, the road starts to drop a bit through a couple corners and that is where the infamous three rocks are that block the end of the fire road where the bushwhack begins.

If you have to walk the road, the three rocks are shortly after this sign and straightaway

The three rocks

I didn't check the distance, but the walk up the forest road isn't too long. At a small clearing with an exposed banking of dirt you bear to the right and soon after that you will reach the herd path that leaves to the right. It is marked by a small cairn that is slightly obscured by the branches of the saplings around it. The path at this point is easy to follow with a worn trail on the ground and enough room between the branches to easily walk.

The herd path leads into an old clear cut that many past trip reports mention. I wasn't sure how bad to expect this to be, but it wasn't bad at all. It appears that some trimming of trees has been done through here over the years to keep the path open. After this, the more traditional bushwhack begins.

Bear right at the small clearing

Small cairn where the herd path leaves the forest road

After the old cut the woods open back up and the path again is still pretty easy to follow. There were a couple small blow downs along the way, but nothing that couldn't be easily hiked around. You just need to look for the herd path again once on the other side. The herd path also appeared to split a couple times. One of these times the path leading to the left lead to it small outlook where it clearly ended. There were also a couple spots where it seemed to split just to rejoin again a bit later. For the most part it seemed that taking the path on the right would be the best way to stay on the herd path to the summit.

Herd path above the old cut

Herd path through open woods

As you near the false peak before the true summit, the trees start to get thicker. Again, I still found the path pretty easy to follow though. It even goes over and old blow down that is a great example of how the grain of a tree can twist the length of the tree rather than stay straight. The false summit nice small open spot just off the main herd path that has decent views including one showing just how close you are to the summit.

Just before the summit the path levels out. After another short push through thicker trees, you will come to the small opening where the summit canister and two signs are. There is enough room here for a small group of hikers. On your left is the short path that leads out to the edge of the summit where there is a patch of shorter trees and a bit of an outcropping you can stand on. From here there are some great views over to the Twins and Hale. In the distance you can also make out the Willey Range and the Presidential Range as well as a nice view north towards Waumbek and Cabot.

Steep herd path in the spruce

View of the summit from false peak

Just before the summit

Summit Area

Path from the summit to the viewpoint

Summit view

Summit View of North Twin

On the descent I followed almost the same path to start. With the woods pretty open, I wasn't too concerned if I wandered off the herd path because I knew it was still pretty easy hiking and I would likely find it again. If nothing else I did have my GPS track from ascent now too. Above the old clear cut I wandered to the right to work my way around it. I had seen some trip reports where others did this and said it was pretty easy going. I was also a bit ahead of schedule and was in the mood for exploring. I found some short saplings and other things to push through or go around, but this route went pretty smoothly and before too long I was back onto the herd path shortly before it comes back to the forest road. After this it was a pretty easy hike back to the truck.

Google Earth representation of the hike

For all the pictures from the hike, just go to my gallery on SmugMug