North Pack Monadnock

 When life gives you lemons, grab your squad and go hike a mountain. That's exactly what I did today. Weather was beautiful, if not a little hazy. We headed for North Pack Monadnock in Greenfield to hike Ted's Trail and Carolyn's Trail with a little out and back on a section of the Cliff Trail to reach the actual summit. I had read Ted's Trail was the more scenic of the 2 in this section, and that turned out to be true. Laura, Vanessa, Mindy (Laura's pooch) and I got a little later start than normal and the street was already busy with cars. There is a pullout with room for 3 or 4 cars, then it's roadside with all the obvious precautions about keeping the roadway clear. We did encounter a lot of people on both the way up and back, but thankfully it never felt overwhelmingly crowded. Ted's Trail starts off gradually, crosses a few brooks (all bridged) before reaching the intersection where Carolyn's Trail forks off to the right. We kept to the left on Ted's Trail, which slowly started to climb, but nothing crazy. The best part was it followed a brook for a quite a while, with lots of little cascades. It was so pretty. As the climb continues along the brook you actually reach a waterfall, which is beautiful. It's only a baby waterfall, but so peaceful. A bridge allows you to get right up and personal with the waterfall too! After that area, the trail moves away from the brook and continues to climb before reaching some ledges with lovely views south into Massachusetts. We stopped here for lunch. At the intersection of Ted's Trail and the Cliff Trail, a spur continues a few yards further with the best viewpoint of the day. Highly recommend taking this short spur. Unobstructed views across to Pack Monadnock and surrounds. We headed north on Cliff Trail which gently climbs to the summit of North Pack. A really large cairn and signpost mark the summit. There aren't any great views as the trees are starting to fill in, but there is one peekaboo view straight across to Monadnock which is pretty. Back down Cliff's Trail a little way and we took Carolyn's Trail down. It starts off rather steeply with some ledges and views, but then re-enters the woods and is a pleasant hike back down. The most exciting part on this trail, was we reached a signed intersection that said "Wet Season Trail" and "Dry Season Trail". We could see a boardwalk on the Dry Season trail and thought that might be fun (even though it is wet season right now with higher water from snow melt).. we headed down that way only to quickly discover it was in fact flooded over! Back to the intersection and onto the actual Wet Season Trail we went. We rejoined Ted's Trail and arrived back at the trailhead. The road was filled with cars this time, that's what happens on a perfect weather day!

Strava Activity

Lunch view

at the intersection of Cliff Trail and Ted's Trail

view from the spur beyond the intersection

view from the spur beyond the intersection

view from the spur beyond the intersection

peakaboo view from the summit

coming down Carolyn's Trail

it is apparently not Dry Season

Hedgehog Mountain

 We had a decent snowstorm on Friday, so hiking on Saturday was pretty much out as everything would be in rough shape. Today, Laura and I decided to tackle Hedgehog Mountain in Albany. Both of us needed it for the 52 With a View list and it was a shorter/less elevation gain hike than most of the others we both needed. We had also read a trip report from Saturday where the hiker said snowshoes were not needed. This was especially appealing to us. We're both kind of over Winter hiking at the moment. We headed up and parked at the Downes Brook Trailhead, which is also the trailhead for the UNH Trail to Hedgehog Mountain. There were a few cars already there and some more arrived as we were getting geared up. Lots of pups on the trail today as well. It was one of those layer up, layer down type of days as it was chilly to start, then we warmed up as we got going, but then it was chilly at the summit.. so lots of stopping to put gear on, take gear off etc. Same with our traction. We started out bare boots, as the snow cover was shallow and the trail was relatively flat. Once we started to climb, we put on our spikes to help with slipping. The snow was super soft and slushy, but we did find the spikes helpful. The first 2 intersections are with XC Ski Trails, then about 0.8 miles in you reach the Loop part of the UNH Trail. We opted to take the western side of the loop first, the shorter/steeper way to the summit. We started to encounter bare ground/mud/wet leaves here but kept our spikes on all the same. It would have been off/on/off/on if we hadn't as there was still plenty of areas of slushy snow. We reached Allens Ledge, a small overlook area in about 0.3 miles from the intersection which is a short, steep climb up to a wonderful outlook. This was the only time on our hike the sun was really out, which was beautiful. You can see up to the summit of Hedgehog Mountain from here as well. Back on the trail and we climbed up to the summit... although at the time we didn't quite realize it was the summit, we thought it might have been, but there are no markers to indicate exactly where it is. Just before the summit is another little unnamed view spur. It was an overcast day but our immediate views were clear and spectacular! Coming off the summit is rocky and steep and was a little slippery. There are a couple of precarious spots, but we managed without any major incidents, just one little roly poly slide for Laura! After a particularly steep area, there are some more climbs before reaching the East Ledges which were clear and dry and we took the opportunity to sit and have a snack. From here the trail is back in the woods and was rather muddy mixed with slush so we were pretty slow going to make sure our footing was stable. I was surprised how much the snow had melted on our final stretch back to the car, I guess enough people had passed through. Was still very wet and muddy and I was glad for my waterproof Winter boots. 

Strava Activity

Left to Hedgehog Mountain, Right to Potash Mountain

views from Allens Ledge

Mt Passaconaway from the summit

melting snow makes it seem like a rainstorm

view from the East Ledges

Mt Passaconaway from the East Ledges

looking back at the Hedgehog summit

lunch views from the East Ledges

Oak Hill

 Our second hike of the day was Oak Hill in Concord. I have completed the trail network for Oak Hill, and just needed the actual tower access road for redlining. It is a 1.3 mile easy to moderate walk up the access road for the fire tower. Parking is roadside on Oak Hill Road with room for a few cars. We were the only car when we started, there were several when we returned. The trail/road starts off between 2 properties which are currently tapped for maple syrup and at mostly gentle grades winds around and up to some communication towers and the fire tower. We had last been up to the actual tower in 2014. It has since been renovated and the area around it has been cleared a little more. It was actually a nice area with a picnic table and plenty of space. We timed it well again as we had the summit to ourselves, enjoying mostly clear, just a little hazy views for 360 degrees from the level below the cab. As were were preparing to come down, a man and his dog arrived and then we passed quite a few parties on our way back down. There was one very small section of mud that wasn't too bad and I saw a porcupine curled up in a ball next to the road. 

Strava Activity

old cellar hole along the road

Mr Porcupine

hiking in New England! Maple Syrup taps