Sunday July 24, 2005

Mt Monadnock, NH

Our neighbors held their annual family cookout/pingpong tournament with the Kareoke singing going close to midnight, so we wanted something nearby.

This is the route we took today. We did the loop counter clockwise.

Directions to the trailhead: From Southern NH, head West on Rote 101. Take a left onto Route 202 in Peterborough. Take a right onto route 124 in Jaffery and follow the signs to the Monadnock State Park.

Time to summit: 75 minutes

The profile of our hike.

A 3-D view of our hike to the summit.

Here we are at the start of the hike. We were taking the White Dot trail to the White Cross trail.

Monadnock is said to be the second most frequently climbed mountain in the world, after Japan's Mt. Fuji.

A short distance from the start of the hike we came across this tree that althogh very decayed at the trunk, appeared healthy above this area. We saw several more trees like this throughout the day.

He took a left onto the White Cross trail and started up the steep rocky trail.

A view of the White Cross trail.

The first wildlife that we saw.

As you clear the tree line you begin to have great views.

After just under an hour we have a view of the summit.

An area of Cotton Sedge.

We saw and heard many small planes all day long.

Geri taking a short breather before the final ascent.

One of several small puddles just below the summit.

An interestesting rock formation just below the summit.

75 minutes after starting out we reach the summit and find a nice breeze and cloudless skies. More importantly - very few people.

Lot's of wet areas.

From the summit you have views in 360 degrees - here is an area of homes that have nice views of the mountain. Although it was hazy we could see Boston and Franconia Ridge.

The large cairn marking the White Cross trail.

More wildlife.

Geri grabbed the camera again.

Here is Geri on our descent via the White Arrow trail.

One last look from Bald Rock.

Blueberry bushes!!

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