Though I have been near to the mountain on other trips I have never climbed it, and really was a little nonplussed by its recognition. We turned up at the Mount Monadnock (New Hampshire) visitor center at about 8:30am, and knowing it was going to be a warm 80+ degree-day, guaranteed we had lots of water, and energy nibbles.
This is a carry-in carry-out park and though you should buy water at the base shop, food purchases are limited. There are 2 popular trails up to the peak : White Cross and White Dot. The lower section of the trail is dense wood and the big attraction is identifying the range of trees and plants along the trail, and keeping your concentration on the following step. At just over half-way up the mountain you will come to a clearing where you will get wonderful perspectives of the southern and western areas of the Monadnock area. About 2,700 feet you could have an unrestricted view of the bare and rocky peak, and just a hundred feet further the White Cross and White Dot Trails connect, and you can follow the White Dot to the bare peak. The climb to the peak of Mount Monadnock from here was the most exciting for me. We had clear vistas of Mount Wachusett in North Massachusetts, and Vermont’s Green Mountains to the west. MOUNT MONADNOCK IS Lots A MOUNTAIN FOR MOST I’m no longer nonplussed why so many folk climb Mount Monadnock.
It is an excellent experience, and the majority in reasonable condition can make it to the top. I’d advocate taking the White Cross Trail to the peak and back down if you do not do a large amount of climbing. The state park has over 40 miles of trails, and that the one’s I have discussed are not the sole ones on the mountain and to the peak. A number of longer trails can be discovered on the eastern, northwards, and western flank of the mountain. The Monadnock State Park is found off Route 124 near Jaffrey, New Hampshire, and is open all year long.
But the best times to climb are late spring thru to the favored fall when the weather is more foreseeable, and the perspectives shocking.
