Monadnock Trails, Monadnock Mountain, New Hampshire Hiking, New Hampshire Trails, Maps, Mount Monadnock, Jaffrey, Hiking New Hampshire, Mt Monadnock, NH, abandoned trails
Abandoned Trails
;)
Above: Bald Rock from Inspiration Rock
About Monadnock Trails
Mt Monadnock has a web of paths that weave up and down and around the mountain. The main trails are heavily used, rocky, eroded and with bare ledge are easy to follow. The side trails are generally easy to follow, except in deep snow conditions. The abandoned trails can be difficult to follow, most aren't blazed, and cairns may, or may not mark the way. Some old trails have been cleared and some haven't and can be bushy. Some are vague faint paths or blind in places and others may be well marked and clear. Hikers may lose their way and may have to bush-whack up or down the mountain. Hikers should have a map and compass and know how to use them and should be familiar with the mountain and current trails before seeking the old trails. Hikers explore Monadnock State Park at their own risk.
Abandoned Trails
There are some paths that have been recently abandoned. The Smith Connecter is only maintained from Bald Rock to the White Cross Trail however you can still follow the old route marked by yellow blazes across the White Dot Trail over open ledge, with excellent views of the summit, to the Red Spot Trail. The White Cross Trail from Falcon Spring is closed and now the White Cross Trail starts along the path formerly known as Spruce Link. The Cliff Walk's bottom portion was recently relocated to avoid a very difficult steep slick spot but the old path is a scenic woods walk with cliffs just above the path.
Some abandoned trails can be fairly clear and others can be obscure or vague. Much of the trails are obscure to some degree or other and most are unmarked and without cairns. Some Monadnock State Park Rangers may not even know about the older trails. It is advisable to get to know the Monadnock terrain and various trails before venturing off the maintained trails.
Some paths are noted below:
Smith Marlboro Link which connects Monte Rosa and Marlboro Trail, goes in an out of mossy ravines and onto open ledges
with far-flung views.
Paradise Valley Trail connects White Arrow and White
Dot beneath cliffs in a forested sheltered valley.
The trails over
Inspiration Rock Trail and Muncy Trail are a fine hike although the Dingle Dell junction isn't marked.
The Old White Dot Trail is faint and the ice storm made a mess out of the area but the way is confirmed by weathered white dots.
The Red Cross Trail a.k.a. Mead Brook Trail a main trail to summit was abandoned 70 years ago, is a fairly obscure trail and can be a scenic hike when Mead Brook a vernal stream is flowing.
The Twisted Birch Trail and Annex Trail are pretty blind.
There is a variety of wild exploring to do on the mountain.
Map
This is a more detailed GPS hiking map and also includes a number of abandoned trails: Monadnock GPS Map.
December '08 Ice Storm Impact
The recent ice storm has caused much damage in the State Park Reservation on the southeast side of the mountain. The old White Dot Trail (Pasture Trail) is a mess. The Old Hinkley Trail linking Cascade Link is in an area of forest devastated by the ice storm and I don't recommend exploring there now. The Halfway House Trails were not affected too much by the ice storm, however, the State Park Reservation forest was severely impacted by the December Ice Storm.
Below: Whit AB Trail
Monadnock Trails:
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