Monadnock in Vermont

[Papa Bear]

I'll be in the North Country of New Hampshire this weekend bagging various 3Ks, Benchmarks, &cetra with assorted very good people. VFTT kind of people.

On the way home, I thought I'd take a quick jaunt across the Connecticut River from Colebrook NH and trot on up this esteemed mountain (if it's not pouring).

For those who don't know, Here it is.

I recall several threads long ago about folks who have done this mountain. Can anyone say where the trailhead might be, is the tower still standing, and any thing else that you'd like to tell me about this mountain.

Thanks. And I hope everyone has a great weekend.

 

[dms]

PB, i did this peak about 10 years ago, so the info may be somewhat dated. There was a small parking area immediately on your left as you get off the bridge from Colebrook. The trail started almost directly across the road, there was a small sign marking the trailhead. Not many views at all unless you climb the remnants of the tower. If you do climb up you will get some decent views mainly to the south and west.

 

[JimC]

PB
Look for a gravel pit across the road after crossing the bridge. Go into the gravel pit and look on the L side of the pit. There used to be a sign and small parking area there. At least there was when I did it in May 2003.

 

[peakbagger]

Great Trip, the tower was completely rebuilt last year and the views are great. The trail is in good condition but is a bit hard to find at the start. Park in the gravel pit, walk west for about 100 feet then head south in the clearing a short distance then take a right up a steep banking. If you cross out of the gravel pit and into someones back field you went too far. YOu will intially go into a young pine stand then break out into older woods. The trail parallels a brook on the north side. It eventually connects up with a logging road and is well trod, it would be hard to get lost. I have heard that the logging road also has a trail head but the gravel pit is the only one I have used.

 

[bill bowden]

north Monadnock

The other poster's advice is consistent with my experience, the hike up to the fire tower was more enjoyable than the summit. The tower was too rickety for me to dare and there were no views.

Best views in the area are from Magalloway, a much under-rated mountain with a secon dchoice of Diamond Ridge.

 

[RoySwkr]

The tower was too rickety for me to dare and there were no views.

The tower has been fixed thanks to a huge turnout of volunteers last year and a friend of mine who paid for the boards.

The trail used to start by a house but the owner didn't want hikers and refused to allow a sign. It sounds like the first part has been rebuilt to avoid her.

 

[buckyball1]

--cross bridge from Colebrook, turn right, find gravel pit shortly on your left; park on left side of pit--follow Peakbagger's excellent directions--trail for most part is very nice--"easy" climb----i respectfully disagree with a previous post as i unexpectedly [was looking for something to do after Percy Peaks and Sugarloaf (great tops here)] and found Monadnock to be a nice top/view --Magalloway (while a good view) is a boring slog up a tourist road (there is a nice, new outhouse in the large parking lot )with waaaay too many people on top ---jim