Trip report

Pack Monadnocks Hike

Hiking/Walk DATE: 04/30/2011 - 04/30/2011

Trip/Event Location: Temple, NH
US

Trip Leader(s): shep5

Max # People: 15

Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money

Difficulty Level: Moderate to Strenuous

Join me for this 8-mile hike (approximate) which will ascend South Pack Monadnock (~2288') from the Miller State Park parking area.  South Pack Monadnock offers fine views over to its sister peak

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Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at:

Miller State Park is very well-marked on the northern side of Route 101 between Temple and Peterborough.  We'll meet here in the parking lot.  Look for a grey Hyundai Elantra.


Trip Report/Photos
Featured Photo

On Saturday, April 30th, twelve of us met up for a day hike to the two Pack Monadnock peaks.  The day begun as overcast and chilly with a few stray sprinkles.  We got ready, did our usual introductions (particularly since we had 5 guys who were joining us for the first time) and we headed to the Wapack trail at 10:15AM (after waiting for one no-show).  This trail diverges from the road just beyond the gate and starts a moderately aggressive ascent over a rocky path.  Along the way there are a number of nice ledges with views south to Temple Mountain and to Mt Monadnock to the west.  We enjoyed a modest pace allowing everyone to stay pretty much together.  This of course provided for good conversation and a nice chance to get to know some of the new-comers.  We reached the summit of South Pack Monadnock at roughly 11:30AM.  While it was still overcast, the cload cealing was high and there were great views all around...including the Boston skyline in the distance.  After we got a chance to break and explore the summit with its firetower, we pressed on towards the North Pack peak, where we intended to have lunch.  The Wapack Trail descends steeply and settles into a broad col (there is a middle peak, but it is hardly decernable).  Here we also entered the Wapack National Wildlife Refuge...this is new and it was a surprise that some of this land is now designated as nationally-protected lands.  Continuing on, we reached the trail junction with the Cliff Trail.  We continued on the Wapack to the open summit, where we enjoyed our lunches.  It was 1:20PM and the clouds were finally breaking up with more and more sun.  Despite this, it was still chilly with a pretty good breeze.  We hung out and socialized...and soaked up the sun...until about 2PM, when we started off the summit along the Cliff Trail.  This trail meanders a bit along some open ledges with views to the east until it opens up along a dramatic cliff wall.  Here we enjoyed another relatively long break to take in the views, before descending the cliff and continuing along the trail until it met back up with the Wapack Trail for our return.  After reaching South Pack Monadnock again, we headed down the road rather than taking the Marion Davis Trail (the intended route), since some of the guys had to head back.  It was approximately 5:15PM when we reached the parking lot.  Four of the guys had to head out, while the remaining eight came back to my place in Jaffrey to hang out and have pizza.  We also celebrated Rich's birthday with some cake.  At a little past 8 we called it a day.

This turned out to be a wonderful day to hike despite the unsettled looking start of the day.  Thanks to everyone who joined me for the hike and a special welcome to Michael, Gary, Kevin, Stephen and Robin who successfully completed their first GO activity!  It was nice meeing you all and I'm looking forward to seeing everyone again on another GO trip soon!

  There are 52 photos in Album (Note: Move mouse pointer over larger pic and click on NEXT for better viewing)

What Members Are Saying About This Trip/Event

  • I've written the same commendation twice and twice it's disappeared. I had an excellent "first time" with some really great fellows. Thank you Stephen! - hauke
  • Wicked awesome hike, thanks Steve for putting it together. and thanks also for the birthday cake. I was truly touched! - HikerLegs
  • It was really fun to hike with so many new GO members. I hope we all meet again during this summer. A wonderful day and a very nice hike. Thanks Steve for hosting the event! - WalkaboutBrian

Members That Participated

shep5

Outdoor Fitness Level: Very Strenuous


Jaffrey, NH


United States

Attended
HikerLegs

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


South Burlington, VT


United States

Attended
markus24

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Gilmanton IW, NH


United States

Attended
WalkaboutBrian

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Gilmanton IW, NH


United States

Attended
HikerBiker

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Londonderry, NH


United States

Attended
hauke

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate


Cheyenne, WY


United States

Attended
JayT

Outdoor Fitness Level: Strenuous


Marlborough, MA


United States

No Show
emsinjp

Outdoor Fitness Level: Moderate to Strenuous


Jamaica Plain, MA


United States

Attended
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