I was back home for Christmas and had a chance to go up Monadnock with my friend Chris on the 22nd.
We headed up Old Toll Road Trail then Fairy Spring til we reached Monta Rosa. Our progess varried so we wouldn't heat up to quick. Had a good break on Monta Rosa and also had our first dose of the wind. I also posed for a picture on "the Tooth" wich is on Smith Summit not far from Monta Rosa.
Smith Summit had some ice but it was of no real concern. If there was a coating of the white stuff it might of caught someone off guard. The higher we got the better the views. Ski areas in southern Vermont were easily identified.
The first time we say other hikers was at the summit with two groups coming up from the Dublin/Marlboro trail direction and a pair all ready at the summit. After a picture was taken of us I was offered some olives and pickled herring from anthor hiker. Sounds like something I have heard being eaten from here, I should of offered some alligator eggs.
Boston was visable but hard to pick out, seemed to be a lower cloud cover in that direction. However the Whits were very nice with Layfette and the Presies covered in snow. I was suprized to see how good Liberty and Flume looked. I have seen the Whites many times but for some reason they seemed easier to pick out.
Headed down White Dot 'til Paradise Valley and then went over towards Ampitheater, to Bald Rock. Pardice Valley trail is a easy to follow unmarked trail with some very interesting views. Looking up toward the summit there seems to be some good scrambles and will have to look into this when I return during the summer.
On top of Bald Rock we Chris offered a Wachusett Blueberry Ale, of course I had to except. Cracked me up when he pulled out the bottles and they were rapped in bubble wrap.
We went down Cliffwalk, along the way I showed Chris "Wolfs' Den" I figured he could bring his kids up there to play. I know my kids love that area. I forgot how long the streth between Hello Rock and Parker trail was. Also when did they place the ladder on Cliffwalk? I don't remeber seeing it previously.
We did get some sleet on the bottom section of Cliffwalk and Parker but no big deal. Ran up to catch the last view of the day on Little Mountain. This unofficial trail departs Parker trail about 100ft from the road. Has a good view and in the summer blueberry bushes.
Headed down the road to finish of the hike. A good day of hiking on my favortie mountain. Cannot wait 'til I am back up there this summer. -brianW
We headed up Old Toll Road Trail then Fairy Spring til we reached Monta Rosa. Our progess varried so we wouldn't heat up to quick. Had a good break on Monta Rosa and also had our first dose of the wind. I also posed for a picture on "the Tooth" wich is on Smith Summit not far from Monta Rosa.
Smith Summit had some ice but it was of no real concern. If there was a coating of the white stuff it might of caught someone off guard. The higher we got the better the views. Ski areas in southern Vermont were easily identified.
The first time we say other hikers was at the summit with two groups coming up from the Dublin/Marlboro trail direction and a pair all ready at the summit. After a picture was taken of us I was offered some olives and pickled herring from anthor hiker. Sounds like something I have heard being eaten from here, I should of offered some alligator eggs.
Boston was visable but hard to pick out, seemed to be a lower cloud cover in that direction. However the Whits were very nice with Layfette and the Presies covered in snow. I was suprized to see how good Liberty and Flume looked. I have seen the Whites many times but for some reason they seemed easier to pick out.
Headed down White Dot 'til Paradise Valley and then went over towards Ampitheater, to Bald Rock. Pardice Valley trail is a easy to follow unmarked trail with some very interesting views. Looking up toward the summit there seems to be some good scrambles and will have to look into this when I return during the summer.
On top of Bald Rock we Chris offered a Wachusett Blueberry Ale, of course I had to except. Cracked me up when he pulled out the bottles and they were rapped in bubble wrap.
We went down Cliffwalk, along the way I showed Chris "Wolfs' Den" I figured he could bring his kids up there to play. I know my kids love that area. I forgot how long the streth between Hello Rock and Parker trail was. Also when did they place the ladder on Cliffwalk? I don't remeber seeing it previously.
We did get some sleet on the bottom section of Cliffwalk and Parker but no big deal. Ran up to catch the last view of the day on Little Mountain. This unofficial trail departs Parker trail about 100ft from the road. Has a good view and in the summer blueberry bushes.
Headed down the road to finish of the hike. A good day of hiking on my favortie mountain. Cannot wait 'til I am back up there this summer. -brianW
