Mt. Garfield (4,500 ft) 9-8-18

Distance: 10.4 mi.
Elevation: 2,988 ft (overall) 3,169 ft (total)
Time: 2:58 (Garfield) 5:43 (Total)
Trails: Garfield Trail, Garfield Ridge Trail

• Another year with the same core group for Flags on the 48, plus a few more joining us. This years memorial hike started off with a great weather forecast except for being a bit cooler temps. But compared to some of the weather we have experienced in the past few years, we'll take anything good we can get
• The trail stays pretty gradual and free of large rocks almost all the way to the summit, so we made good time all the way to that point. We took turns carrying the flagpole and even had lots of other hikers on the trail offer to carry it for a distance as well. This was very helpful and we appreciated the effort of all those other hikers. The attitude of everyone that learns about this hike is always positive
• As always, our group got a little spread out as we hiked, but we always seemed to bunch back up when we took a break or needed someone else to carry the flagpole for a while
• Once we reached the junction with the Garfield Ridge Trail, we found the group from Henniker Brewing Company taking a break there waiting for us out of the breeze. We knew they would be on the mountain and we would run into them eventually
• After staying at the intersection for a bit, we made the final push to the summit so we could set down our gear and start getting the flag ready
• After everyone was at the summit, we gathered a few rocks so that we could help hold the base of the flagpole in one corner of the old fire tower foundation. We got out the flag gear and rigged up the pole shortly after. We had the flag flying by 11:30
• There was a nice breeze most of the time while on the summit that helped keep the flag moving. That was good as the summit was quite busy today and lots of people were taking pictures
• After 12 o'clock passed, the group from Henniker Brewing Company started passing out some of the 36 cans of 48 Flags beer they brewed and brought for the event. They had about 460 gallons of the beer made and part of the proceeds go to the The FealGood Foundation
• While on the summit, we were able to make out 13 other flags flying from nearby peaks, thanks to Jim's spotting scope
• About the time we were ready to take down the flag, the crowd had mostly continued on with their hikes. After packing up the flag and gear, we headed back down the mountain
• It was a fun casual hike down with lots of stories being told. After getting back to the trail head, we continued the stories over some pizza before checking online to start getting a list of confirmed peaks
• All in all it was another great hike with a great group of people for a great tribute

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

The full group at the start

Our group at the summit

One of the brook crossings

Near one of the switchbacks

Preparing to raise the flag

Final anchoring of the ropes for the pole

A group from Henniker Brewing Co. brought up some of the 48 Flags beer they brewed in honor of the event

The flag flying proudly

The flag flying proudly

The summit was busy today

South Twin, one of many flags we could make out today

Great views today

Google Earth representation of the hike

Mt. Monadnock (3,165 ft) 12-27-16

Distance: 5.73 mi.
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

Mt. Monadnock (3,165 ft) 7-27-16

Distance: 9.59 mi.
Elevation: 1,832 ft (overall) 2,489 ft (total)
Time: 3:24 (Summit) 4:30 (Park HQ) 5:58 (Total)
Trails: Ravine Trail, Pond Loop Trail, Birchtoft Trail, Red Spot Trail, Pumpelly Trail, White Dot Trail, Poole Road, Hinkley Trail, Birchtoft Trail, Pond Loop Trail

After a week driving around Maine for vacation, I stuck close to home for my most recent hike. With the personal goal of re-hiking all the trails on the Mt. Monadnock map in the upward direction again, it was time for a longer loop hike on the mountain with trails I haven't been on for a while. I wanted to get a number of trails checked off, so I started from the Gilson Pond trail head, since I could easily link a few together there. It's also the trail head I probably hike from the least, so it was time to get back there.

The first trail I wanted to hike was the Ravine Trail. A short little trail that is used very little and most people probably don't even know exists. To access the end that is lower in elevation, I needed to walk through the campground to get to the loop that goes to the remote campsites. You'll follow this path until just after the first remote campsite (tent pad on your right) where the trail starts on the left. Normally this trail follows a bit of a brook, but with the dry weather lately, it was a few spots of standing water today. This trail is only 0.29 miles, so pretty quickly I was at the junction with the Pond Loop Trail. Planning to hike this trail on the way back, I headed left to get to the start of the Birchtoft Trail. While going around the lake, I noticed a deer along shore where I would soon be going past on the Birchtoft Trail. I made sure to be quiet in hopes that I would be able to get close to it. I didn't bother getting my camera out though.

Ravine Trail

Starting out on the Birchtoft Trail, right where expected, the deer heard me coming and ran away from the pond. Unexpectedly, she stopped right next to the trail giving me a great view of her. The trail starts off very gentle even as it leaves the pond. Good footing and just a gentle incline. A nice way to warm up. After a few turns and some small ups and downs, I got to the junction with the Hinkley Trail which I planned to hike back on later today. After here it gets a bit more steep, but it's still not bad. Shortly before the end is the steepest section, just before it levels out and comes to the Cascade Link which you'll follow for less than 100 feet to the start of the Red Spot Trail.

Elevated rock along the Birchtoft Trail

The Red Spot Trail starts off easy as well, gradually getting steeper. As it goes up, it also becomes more rocky. For one section it's a pretty constant rock hope from one small rock to another. A little later it gets steeper and goes through a section of large rocks and then over some open slabs. Ample trail markers do well guiding you over the open areas so you go back into the trees in the correct spot. There weren't as many blueberries through here today as I was expecting. It was pretty hit or miss, possibly due to the dry weather. Near the top of the trail, you start going in and out of the trees again while the trail almost levels out just before the Pumpelly Trail. From here it's a pretty short hike over open rock to the summit.

Large rocks on the Red Spot Trail

Nearing the Pumpelly Trail

The summit was less crowded than I expected, but it was a weekday and the temperature has been a bit high this week. While at the summit, it was a comfortable 76 degrees with an 8 mph breeze. For my decent, I headed down the White Dot Trail instead of going back down the Red Spot. I normally avoid the trails from the park headquarters, but I was hoping Falcon Spring would be running and I could top off my water before making my way down to the Hinkley Trail. I made quick work of the decent passing a few descending hikers and some groups coming up. As I neared Falcon Spring, I could hear a number of people and took that as a good sign it was running and others were topping off as well.

Summit view north

Summit view west

White Dot Trail

After some refreshing water at the spring, I continued my quick descent down. There were either a number of groups headed up, or just one huge group. There must have been 100 people all right near each other as I neared the park headquarters. I was glad to be headed the other way. Passing right through the parking lot, I headed down the side of Poole Road until I got to the Hinkley Trail. The trail isn't obvious as there is no parking and the sign is around 100 feet into the woods, but if you are looking for it, you should be able to find it.

Falcon Spring

The Hinkley Trail is a nice lesser used trail. It's mostly flat for the entire length and follows a brook for a while. Today the brook was pretty much dried up though and not as nice as normal. Today the 1.21 mile hike up the trail went by pretty quickly and I was soon at the Birchtoft Trail again. I hiked back down to the pond again in quick time also. Then I turned left and headed back around the pond so I could hike the Pond Loop Trail again. The loop is around 3/4 of a mile with no real ups or downs as it follows the edge of the pond just off shore. Once done, I headed back along the campground roads to the parking lot and my car. Time for a nice rest after a nearly 10 mile hike on a hot sunny day.

Start of the Hinkley Trail

Hinkley Trail

For all the pictures from the hike, just go HERE

Google Earth representation of the hike