Elevation: 1,741 ft (overall) 1,834 ft (total)
Time: 1:59 Summit 3:21 Total
Trails: Dublin Trail
On Easter morning I had the time to hike the Mt. Monadnock before family activities were to start. Having not gotten out on a mountain since New Years Eve, I took full advantage hoping that this would get me into a pattern of hiking again. The forecast was mixed, one said it would be cloudy to start the day, but another that is intended to be for the summit said it was going to be sunny. Even though it looked cloudy/foggy at home, I headed out anyways. The sky was full of clouds all the way to the trail head and when I started my hike. I still like the mountain even in the fog, so I wasn't that upset.
Not being very far into "Spring", everything was still pretty brown down low with plenty of bare trees and no leaves. Due to the lack of winter we experienced this year though, there was also no remaining snow/ice or mud in most places. The start of the hike went well and it didn't take long before I hiking up into the fog and lower levels of the clouds. At this time, I met a pair or hikers coming down that said it was nice being above the low clouds on the summit. Not sure if this would mean just being between two layers of clouds (something I have seen here before) or above all the clouds, I continued on steadily.
Heading into the fog
Soon I came to the one section of trail that always seems to be at least a little bit wet. There was a short section of ice remaining here. This is the one section I thought I might run into some ice. I was able to make it up the ice without putting on my microspikes by using some of the debris that on it for traction. Even though it's a short section and there were plenty of tracks leading around the ice, I still would have used them if I needed to. This spot has been widened a lot by people that aren't prepared for the ice in winter or are worried about getting their feet wet the rest of the year. It bothers me just how many people will do this when hiking a mountain. I know it's mostly a lack of experience, but mud and wet trail conditions are something you should always be prepared for and you should be able to stay or trail, or be willing to turn back if not prepared.
Continuing up the trail, I found one more spot that could have been tricky due to ice. Luckily there were plenty of rocks sticking out that you could go between and avoid stepping on the ice all together. The trail then leads into the section that I enjoy the most on this route. As it nears the treeline, it goes over lots of large sections of exposed rock. For some reason, I've always enjoyed this type of spots. As I neared the top of this section, I could see ahead that the sun was trying to come though the clouds now. I must be near the top of the layer of clouds. I guess those other hikers were talking about possible undercast conditions.
A small patch of ice
Ice mixed in with some rocks
The trail climbing over bare rocks
With the hope of undercast skies, I picked up the pace a little bit. I've never been above the clouds in full undercast conditions and I wasn't sure if the clouds were going to clear up quickly now that the sun was getting up into the sky a bit more. Without taking many breaks, I started to get up to the treeline and the last bits of the clouds. Before long I was at the junction with the Marlboro Trail and was completely above the clouds. It was nice and sunny up here without much wind. I stopped and took a few pictures and looked all around. I now casually headed up the rest of the way to the summit.
Undercast skies from the Marlboro/Dublin Trail junction
The summit didn't have many people today. Combine that with the completely undercast sky, and it was a great day to be up here. In all directions, there wasn't a thing to see other than the tops of clouds. The only thing else that was trying to stick up was a small section of Pumpelly Ridge. As cool as it is to be above the clouds, it was also a bit disappointing to not be able to see anything else when the sky above you is as clear as can be. I still took my time enjoying the summit and seeing a few people come and go. But eventually I needed to head down so that I wouldn't be late for plans with the rest of my family.
Looking west over the clouds
Pumpelly Ridge trying to stick out of the clouds
Miles brought his bunny ears this Easter morning
I headed back down the trail. I stopped just before treeline to take in the last of the views and grab some more pictures. I then started back into the trees and soon into the clouds. I was seeing a few hikers on their way up and gave them the good news that it would be sunny on the summit. I was able to make good time on the way down and over the little bits of ice. It was odd being back down under the clouds with no direct sunlight shining down after being on the summit with such nice conditions.
Getting ready to head back into the clouds
More exposed rock on the trail
Later in the day, as I told family that I hiked, I got responses like "The view must have sucked today" since it was still cloudy down low. Thankfully I was able to respond with "Nope, they were great actually." I've hiked when some ares near the hike were undercast, but never when the entire sky was like this. It was a really interesting experience. Hopefully now I can see it sometime while hiking in the White Mountains so that I can see some other peaks sticking up above the clouds and have more to look at.
For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE
