| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Monadnock , NH |
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 | Trails: |
Parker Trail, Lost Farm Trail, Cliff Walk, Hello Rock Trail, Thoreau Trail, Do Drop Trail, Point Surprise Trail, White Arrow Trail, Fairy Spring Trail, Monte Rosa Trail, Smith Bypass, Smith Summit Trail, Marlboro Trail, Marian Trail, Great Pasture Trail, Ampitheatre Trail, Smith Connecting Link, White Cross Trail, White Dot Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, August 18, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We arrived at the state park headquarters around 7:30am. The building wasn't open yet so we paid our $15 at the end of the day instead. One of only a few cars both when we arrived and finished around 7pm. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
All easily rock hopable. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
I do not specifically recall any blowdowns. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs are not allowed on Monadnock. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Parker Trail is marked with yellow diamonds, Lost Farm Trail in white, Cliff Walk with white diamonds and white "C"'s painted on rocks/ledge, Hello Rock, Do Drop, Point Surprise, and Thoreau trails I don't think were marked and I believe at least the latter was actually not very well defined and could be easy to get lost on for beginners, White Arrow Trail with white arrows, Fairy Spring Trail with yellow rectangles, I don't think Monte Rosa Trail was marked, Smith Summit Trail was marked with white circles and painted white "S"s, Smith Bypass in yellow, Marlboro Trail in white blaze and painted white "M"'s on rock/ledge, Marian Trail wth yellow disks (but not terribly easy to follow), Great Pasture Trail with yellow rectangles, Ampitheatre Trail in yellow, Smith Connecting Link with yellow "S"s, White Cross Trail with white crosses, and White Dot Trail with white dots. I'd say most or all the trails require at least some care to truly follow above treeline and there are not signs at the summit, just trail names painted on rock that would be covered in winter. Same at the jct of Marlboro and Marian trails.
My second (unsuccessful) attempt at finishing all the trails on the south side of Monadnock. I knew it would likely rain on us lightly at some point but I'd been seeing accumulation of less than a tenth of an inch. Unfortunately, this was a gross understatement and it rained much more, with varying degrees of intensity but nothing too strong; still way more than a tenth of an inch and a MUCH wetter than anticipated hike. My route: Parker Trail --> Lost Farm Trail --> OAB on Cliff Walk to Thoreau Trail --> Cliff Walk (south) --> OAB on Parker Trail to Half Way House Rd --> OAB on Parker Trail to Lost Farm Trail --> Cliff Walk (north) --> Hello Rock Trail --> Thoreau Trail --> Cliff Walk (north) --> Do Drop Trail --> Side Foot Trail --> OAB on Point Surprise Trail --> White Arrow Trail --> Fairy Spring Trail --> OAB on Monte Rosa Trail (south) --> OAB on Monte Rosa Trail (north) --> Smith Bypass --> Smith Summit Trail to summit --> Marlboro Trail --> Marian Trail --> Great Pasture Trail --> Smith Summit Trail --> Ampitheatre Trail --> Smith Connecting Link --> White Cross Trail (south) --> White Dot Trail back to car.
While some of these trails are actually quite nice, we were not able to really enjoy them in their full beauty and splendor due to the lack of views, rain, etc. Luckily, I was able to go back a few days later to finish redlining and got to enjoy this beautiful area more. Note that some of the trails, in between White Arrow and Thoreau's Seat are not marked and are a little tricky to follow. With even just a few tenths of an inch of rain, parts of the trails were flooded around the ledge and it became very difficult to get around with dry feet. Someone also injured themselves pretty badly on the summit and had to get help to get down. Between that, much worse weather than predicted, our own shortage of gear, and some snafus of our own, this was a good day to be reminded of how important it is to be prepared, how quickly things can turn up there, etc. As always, Lil Young was a trooper though. Lastly, note that the cliff at What Cheer Point (spur needed for redlining along Cliff Walk) or some little spur in that area anyhow is a bit sketchy. I misstepped and, for he first time ever, was a bit concerned that I'd roll right off the mountain. I didn't and hardly even hurt myself but definitely a place to watch your step. Gaia had us at 12.25mi, 3600-3700ft of gain. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney and Lil Young |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-08-22 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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