BIGEarl
Well-known member
April 29, 2007: Pitcher Mountain, Pack Monadnock, North Pack Monadnock
Trails: Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway (Pitcher Mountain)
Wapack Trail (Pack Monadnock & North Peak)
When life serves you lemons - make lemonade!
Plan A for the day was Whiteface and Passaconaway but the weather turned against us and we decided to postpone that hike to a later time. Instead, we decided to plan a visit to some Fire Towers which are part of the N.H Fire Lookout Tower Quest. We had hiked a couple already (Cardigan and Kearsarge) and there are several in the southern part of the state so it seemed like an interesting way to spend a gray day. We expected the eventual rain to hold off until late afternoon.
With a leisurely start to the day we headed first to Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard, NH. This tower is accessed by way of a short hike up a section of the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway. I don’t know just how short the walk is but it can’t be more than a half mile. Driving time was much greater than hiking time. One point became very clear on this short walk to the tower, mud season has arrived. Just below the tower is a small cabin (possibly a warden’s shelter) and a couple additional out-buildings. Everything including the privy is under lock and key. The view toward northwest Massachusetts was fairly good with high clouds in that direction. In all other directions the view was limited to probably not more than ten to fifteen miles. Wanting a little more from the stop we headed north on the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway to explore the area a little. Eventually, we headed back past to tower and out.
Next target – Pack Monadnock. We made a u-turn and headed back on the route we used to Stoddard through Hancock and Peterborough to route 101 and then east to the entrance to Miller State Park and the trail parking lot for access to the Wapack Trail. The lot was surprisingly full of vehicles. I remember thinking the place was going to be a zoo on this trail. It wasn’t. We grabbed our packs and Jennifer commented she hoped this was more of a hike than Pitcher Mountain was. Very soon after leaving the lot we found ourselves approaching the auto road that leads to the summit. I thought this was going to be an unpleasant stop. Then, we saw the trail heading into the woods on the far side of the road and start up some steep rocky sections. I believe we were both happy with this sight. Off we went, climbing this steep rocky section and enjoying every step. We worked our way through this open ledge section with continuous views to the south and southwest. We gained a significant portion of the total elevation gain and the trail headed into areas of open softwood and mud pits. Yes, it’s mud season. The hike from the lot to the Pack Monadnock Tower is only 1.4 miles and we were soon at the summit. Jennifer was curious about the tower and decided to climb it. As she approached the level just under the tower cabin the trap door opened and she was invited in. She called to me and we both paid a visit to the Ranger. We were hiking in very light clothing including short sleeves or none at all. It was chilly and raw outside but our activity level kept us warm. The tower cabin seemed like a sauna. We stayed and visited for ten to fifteen minutes and both of us decided we had enough heat. We thanked the Ranger for the education he provided and left the cabin heading for a lean-to where we would have some lunch. While there a group of hikers arrived and also came into the lean-to for lunch. I believe there were eight to ten elderly women, one younger woman, and one gentleman (perhaps a doctor or chauffeur). There were a large number of comments and observations racing around in my head. But, the odds were terrible so I simply stayed quiet and ate my lunch. We finished and quietly left.
Wanting to get a little more from the hike we decided to head off for North Pack Monadnock Mountain. Following the Wapack Trail we headed out for more mud and a little ice. For the most part the hike to the North Peak was on solid, relatively dry ground. We passed a few hikers returning from the North Peak (a single, a pair, and a family of ~6 with their dog). The views from the North Peak were limited but interesting. We stayed for only a short time and headed back south. We were able to cover the section between the peaks quickly but at approximately the mid point the rain started. At first it was just a heavy mist but by the time we re-climbed the south peak and reached the tower area it was really raining. We pulled out our rain jackets and prepared for the final 1.4 miles back to the parking area.
We reached the truck and loaded our things and ourselves to leave. It was too late to try for another stop (even though Federal Hill in Milford was on-the-way) and we were both looking forward to a hot bowl of venison chili.
Four down, eleven to go on the N.H Fire Lookout Tower Quest.
BIGEarl's Pictures
Trails: Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway (Pitcher Mountain)
Wapack Trail (Pack Monadnock & North Peak)
When life serves you lemons - make lemonade!
Plan A for the day was Whiteface and Passaconaway but the weather turned against us and we decided to postpone that hike to a later time. Instead, we decided to plan a visit to some Fire Towers which are part of the N.H Fire Lookout Tower Quest. We had hiked a couple already (Cardigan and Kearsarge) and there are several in the southern part of the state so it seemed like an interesting way to spend a gray day. We expected the eventual rain to hold off until late afternoon.
With a leisurely start to the day we headed first to Pitcher Mountain in Stoddard, NH. This tower is accessed by way of a short hike up a section of the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway. I don’t know just how short the walk is but it can’t be more than a half mile. Driving time was much greater than hiking time. One point became very clear on this short walk to the tower, mud season has arrived. Just below the tower is a small cabin (possibly a warden’s shelter) and a couple additional out-buildings. Everything including the privy is under lock and key. The view toward northwest Massachusetts was fairly good with high clouds in that direction. In all other directions the view was limited to probably not more than ten to fifteen miles. Wanting a little more from the stop we headed north on the Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway to explore the area a little. Eventually, we headed back past to tower and out.
Next target – Pack Monadnock. We made a u-turn and headed back on the route we used to Stoddard through Hancock and Peterborough to route 101 and then east to the entrance to Miller State Park and the trail parking lot for access to the Wapack Trail. The lot was surprisingly full of vehicles. I remember thinking the place was going to be a zoo on this trail. It wasn’t. We grabbed our packs and Jennifer commented she hoped this was more of a hike than Pitcher Mountain was. Very soon after leaving the lot we found ourselves approaching the auto road that leads to the summit. I thought this was going to be an unpleasant stop. Then, we saw the trail heading into the woods on the far side of the road and start up some steep rocky sections. I believe we were both happy with this sight. Off we went, climbing this steep rocky section and enjoying every step. We worked our way through this open ledge section with continuous views to the south and southwest. We gained a significant portion of the total elevation gain and the trail headed into areas of open softwood and mud pits. Yes, it’s mud season. The hike from the lot to the Pack Monadnock Tower is only 1.4 miles and we were soon at the summit. Jennifer was curious about the tower and decided to climb it. As she approached the level just under the tower cabin the trap door opened and she was invited in. She called to me and we both paid a visit to the Ranger. We were hiking in very light clothing including short sleeves or none at all. It was chilly and raw outside but our activity level kept us warm. The tower cabin seemed like a sauna. We stayed and visited for ten to fifteen minutes and both of us decided we had enough heat. We thanked the Ranger for the education he provided and left the cabin heading for a lean-to where we would have some lunch. While there a group of hikers arrived and also came into the lean-to for lunch. I believe there were eight to ten elderly women, one younger woman, and one gentleman (perhaps a doctor or chauffeur). There were a large number of comments and observations racing around in my head. But, the odds were terrible so I simply stayed quiet and ate my lunch. We finished and quietly left.
Wanting to get a little more from the hike we decided to head off for North Pack Monadnock Mountain. Following the Wapack Trail we headed out for more mud and a little ice. For the most part the hike to the North Peak was on solid, relatively dry ground. We passed a few hikers returning from the North Peak (a single, a pair, and a family of ~6 with their dog). The views from the North Peak were limited but interesting. We stayed for only a short time and headed back south. We were able to cover the section between the peaks quickly but at approximately the mid point the rain started. At first it was just a heavy mist but by the time we re-climbed the south peak and reached the tower area it was really raining. We pulled out our rain jackets and prepared for the final 1.4 miles back to the parking area.
We reached the truck and loaded our things and ourselves to leave. It was too late to try for another stop (even though Federal Hill in Milford was on-the-way) and we were both looking forward to a hot bowl of venison chili.
Four down, eleven to go on the N.H Fire Lookout Tower Quest.
BIGEarl's Pictures
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