Monadnock Toll Rd.Parking Situation

[Steve-o]

Hey there,

Thinking about doing a quick Monadnock on Sunday.
I've heard in a recent thread,that the old toll rd. lot is unplowed. That's funny, I do Monadnock in winter, more than any other season,and it has always been plowed.
Also, where is this "small lot" located, near the toll rd.?
I have 4x4 and a shovel.
I really don't want to have to park at the HQ.
Any suggestions appriciated.

Thanks, Steve-o

 

[Andrew]

Stev-O,

The park does not maintain the OTR for winter use, but the gentleman and his wife who live in the former and vastly expanded "Hermitage" at the top of the OTR year-round, plows the road up to his house.
This makes it so you can pull into the roadway/lot off rte 124, but he only plows out enough parking for a few cars. The main reason he does this is so that he and his wife don't get parked-in and have to have people towed.
Back in the old days you always had to bring a shovel with you to dig out your own parking spot in deep snow years.
The small lot you are referring to is probably the Gap Mt North parking lot off of Bullard Rd, approx. 3/4 miles west on rte 124 of the OTR. This provides access to the Royce Tr (M&M Tr). This lot is not plowed and the entrance is at a steep uphill grade, I park off the edge of the road being careful not to obstruct the roadway or the parking area entrance. There is also the old NEFF log landing a short distance on the left down Bullard Rd, but this involves a tad of bushwacking to intersect the M&M and is really not for this purpose.

P.S. Snow pack is running 16-24" in the area.

 

[Bob]

There is a small plowed lot, but also an unplowed main lot right next to it. Depending on snow, usually I park in the bigger lot.

 

[Steve-o]

Thanks for the info.

I was confused when I heard people referring to the "small lot ".
I thought there might have been another lot I did'nt know about. The small lot, ( closer to the booth and gate ) is plowed. There is room for 8-10 vehicles, depending on how people park. So I guess, either get there early, or get there late. We chose the latter. With a 1:00 arrival there was three spots available. I would'nt even think about jamming it into the big lot at this time.
Nice day. Had a great time breaking-out the Hedgehog Tr.

Fun-stuff!