Roxi
Active member
Is it possible to get a "craving" for a particular mountain? I've been yearning to hike back up Mount Monadnock now for some weeks, and when I saw the weather forecasting temps in the high 50s for Sat (3/11), and read Kerry13's report on the Pumpelly trail conditions, I knew where I was headed yesterday! I love that trail (9 miles RT). The terrain is so varied, the rocky ridge is fun to scamper across, and the views are gorgeous anytime of year! And one of the benes of hiking in early March is no bugs!
I arrived at the Trailhead at 10 am. No sign, but I know this trail well. It was a little muddy. I fully anticipated to see some ice, especially on the steep section that is almost always wet in summer and turns into an icefall anytime from November through April. The nice thing was that the ice wasn't covered by snow, so you could see where it was. Going up the ice fall was challenging. I don't own crampons, but neither did I feel a need for them. Going around the trail worked well, and I got a great workout!
On my way up the steep icefall, I met a couple. We commented on the combination of ice and Pumpelly's steepness and none of us really wanted to go back down it. They told me about the Dublin trail and offered to show it to me if I wanted to join them going down that way. Bob and Mary, if you're reading this, THANK YOU! I've often thought that I am a very lucky person, and this day just added more proof. Bob and Mary are the nicest people and it was a lot of fun hiking with them. I'm really glad I got a chance to meet them!
The rest of the Pumpelly Trail from the ridge to the summit was scattered with more icy spots, but there was also a balance of enough bare rock that made the hike really enjoyable. Scampering across Monadnock's rocky surface always elicits fun memories and feelings of climbing on rocks when I was a kid. The skies were bright and sunny, the summit very windy, the hike down the Dublin trail challenging as well due to ice, but so interesting and fun! The walk back to the cars along the dirt, then paved roads was relaxing, talking with Bob and Mary. Along the way we met a tongue and tail wagging brown lab named Stella who had enough energy to hike Monadnock 10 times over if the Park Service would have allowed her up there.
Overall, a great day on a great mountain with great people. What more could I ask for? This is why I love hiking!
I arrived at the Trailhead at 10 am. No sign, but I know this trail well. It was a little muddy. I fully anticipated to see some ice, especially on the steep section that is almost always wet in summer and turns into an icefall anytime from November through April. The nice thing was that the ice wasn't covered by snow, so you could see where it was. Going up the ice fall was challenging. I don't own crampons, but neither did I feel a need for them. Going around the trail worked well, and I got a great workout!
On my way up the steep icefall, I met a couple. We commented on the combination of ice and Pumpelly's steepness and none of us really wanted to go back down it. They told me about the Dublin trail and offered to show it to me if I wanted to join them going down that way. Bob and Mary, if you're reading this, THANK YOU! I've often thought that I am a very lucky person, and this day just added more proof. Bob and Mary are the nicest people and it was a lot of fun hiking with them. I'm really glad I got a chance to meet them!
The rest of the Pumpelly Trail from the ridge to the summit was scattered with more icy spots, but there was also a balance of enough bare rock that made the hike really enjoyable. Scampering across Monadnock's rocky surface always elicits fun memories and feelings of climbing on rocks when I was a kid. The skies were bright and sunny, the summit very windy, the hike down the Dublin trail challenging as well due to ice, but so interesting and fun! The walk back to the cars along the dirt, then paved roads was relaxing, talking with Bob and Mary. Along the way we met a tongue and tail wagging brown lab named Stella who had enough energy to hike Monadnock 10 times over if the Park Service would have allowed her up there.
Overall, a great day on a great mountain with great people. What more could I ask for? This is why I love hiking!
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