From Central Mass - Mt. Monadnock

[BrentD22]

I am having a lot of trouble finding good directions to Mt. Monadnock from Central Mass. I know I can find it I just want the best way to get there.

Typically for a slow hiker whats a round trip up to Summit eat snack and back down?

I'm thinking about doing a weekly jaunt up there to keep in better hiking condition.

 

[CaptainJim]

Was there this Sunday!

I am having a lot of trouble finding good directions to Mt. Monadnock from Central Mass. I know I can find it I just want the best way to get there.

Typically for a slow hiker whats a round trip up to Summit eat snack and back down?

I'm thinking about doing a weekly jaunt up there to keep in better hiking condition.

Just so happens I did it Superbowl Sunday. Was looking for somewhere to go that was close (I live in north central MA - Hubbardston) so I could get home in time for Superbowl prepatations, get me almost 2000' vertical, get me above tree line and that I could do a good 6 mile loop. It's really great there. I was amazed that there weren't more people out considering how nice it was. All the time I was at the summit I saw only 6 others at any one time... all solo climbers too... no big groups. I started early (driving at 8:00am, climbing by 9:00am), snd I'm sure it got more crowded later as I saw a lot of people going up when I was on my way down.

I took White Dot to Cascade Link to Spellman to Pumpelly to Summit about 2.25 miles up (2.5 by my GPS with the few detours I took). See http://www.qcc.mass.edu/brink/Trav-rec/mt_monad/mmspellman.html for some pretty good info on this trail ... don't be fooled by the pretty pics showing girls in sneakers walking along... Spellman can be tricky in winter.

There is one section where you ascend almost 600 feet vertical in only 500 feet of horizontal travel. It was icy and I was glad I had crampons. There were actually a few spots where I wish I had my piolet already in my hand (rather than my trekking poles) so I could reach up and grab a hold... but it was never "that" bad that I wanted to bother taking off my pack, storing the poles and pulling out the piolet.

Came back down via White Arrow to Parker Trail (about 3.75 mi.), that way I added some distance, avoided the icy decent down Spellman and got to see some new scenery. All in, all it was an awesome day and I was home by 2:00pm.

The drive is easy. took me less than an hour. I don't know exactly where you live, but ultimately you want to get on 202 north to Jaffrey. I went 68 No. (near my house) to 140 No. to 202 No. into Jaffrey (the roads are all well signed). There you take a left onto 124 West, go about 2 miles and take a right (at State Park sign), follow that road about a mile and take a left into the State Park itself (again... a good sign makes it all but impossible to miss).

It's a lot of fun and can be challenging too if you want to make it so. I always load up my pack with everything I'd bring on a 3 day hike (about 30 lbs. worth) except my sleeping bag, just so I don't get spoiled carrying a light pack. Gotta stay in shape somehow ya know!

Have fun... wish I could go every weekend... wife & kids would kill me
Check out some pics:
http://www.aquacorps.com/MtMonadnock020605-08.JPG
http://www.aquacorps.com/MtMonadnock020605-13.JPG
http://www.aquacorps.com/MtMonadnock020605-02.JPG
http://www.aquacorps.com/MtMonadnock020605-01.JPG

Peace Out,
Capt. Jim

 

[Rick]

Brent -
I am a slow steady uphill hiker, but my usual pace is about 2.75 to 3 MPH on flats and downhills on established trails, though, obviously slower if snowshoeing.

I just hiked Monadnock a week ago last Sunday - A Spectacular Day. I took the White Dot trail up - It was 2:15 going up and 1:05 hours coming down 3:20 in all. Sure, folks pass me, but it's funny, because, I tend to pass folks heading downhill (Gravity rules). The trail was broken out nicely and while I barebooted up, I wore crampons coming down. There are some steep spots where I saw many folks just buttsliding down, but I would suggest at least yaktraks or insteps if you don;t have full crampons - especially after some freeze-thaw cycles.

It was my first time on Monadnock and it took me about an hour to get there driving leisurely from Sterling Mass. My directions are 140N to Gardner, then 202N to Jaffrey Center and then 124W for a couple of miles - Same as the Cap'ns.

BTW, Capt Jim, I skied up Wachusett On Superbowl Sunday - I think I saw you on Monadnock with my Binocs - Did you have a Blue Hat on???
Cheers

 

[CaptainJim]

BTW, Capt Jim, I skied up Wachusett On Superbowl Sunday - I think I saw you on Monadnock with my Binocs - Did you have a Blue Hat on???
Cheers

Hi Rick,

You are kidding me... right? Actually I did have a blue cap on... my avatar is from Sunday. I live right on the Hubbardston Westminster line just minutes from Wachusett. I could see Wachusett quite well from Monadnock, though I think any people would look like ants on a hill even with a 100 power telescope!

I too move slow & steady... uphill with full pack, probably just over 1 mph. Of course level, downhill or with less weight I do MUCH better. In better weather I run up the Mt. Wachusett auto road pushing my 2 kids in their double jogger stroller. Weight with 3 1/2 year old, 1 1/2 year old, stroller and supplies (snacks & water) is about 110 lbs. It the auto road is 3.3 miles up and 1.7 down. It takes me about 50 minutes to reach the top... never really timed the run down, probably less than 20min.

I started this last April at weighing 210... with that and just watching my diet a little I dropped to 170 in 4 months. Over this winter I'm back to 175 or so, but since I've gotten back into hiking this past year I doubt I'll ever go over 180 again. Gotta love it... a sport where you can eat as much as you want... even Snickers and still not gain weight!

Maybe see you around Wachusett or Monadnock sometime!

Peace Out,
Capt. Jim

 

[brianW]

from rt. 2, take the rt. 140north exit (exit for Mt. wachusett Community college) stay on 140 to Winchendon. There is a new set of traffic lights at the junction of 140 (which ends) and rt. 12. Go straight through the lights (now on rt 12 N) stay on 12 til the junction of rt. 202, Take 202 N to Jaffery, NH. In Jaffery (at the lights) take a left (rt. 124) I believe there is a sign at this intersection pointing toward the park. You stay on 124w for a few miles you will be taking a right (signed)

Just a note, I drive through Jaffery and Rindge, NH and the local police really like to enforce the speed limit if you have an out of state plate.

 

[HikerBob]

Capt. Jim - I can't quite make out the blue cap in THIS PICTURE

Well OK OK, the bearing is wrong and it was the day before

I agree on Monadnock being a great mountain and the Spellman... probably more challenging than my day out on Whiteface. Don't be fooled by the sub 4k tag, it is a demanding and fun mountain to climb with fantastic views.

Bob

 

[CaptainJim]

HI HikerBob

NICE website!! I gotta take some more time and look around. You got some great pics & stories there. My son's crying... talk soon.
Capt. Jim

 

[Rick]

You are kidding me... right? Actually I did have a blue cap on... my avatar is from Sunday.

Captain Jim, Yes, Yes, I am. I went to your links and checked out the pics and thought I would just throw that in there.
I am usually up and down Wachusett at least a couple of times a week as it is so close. I will also look for you on the trails.