Mt. Monadnock via trails less traveled

Saturday, 8/25/12: One of the advantages of taking less-traveled trails on Monadnock is that you avoid the hordes of hikers on the mountain. On some trails (Surprise Point and Cliff Walk), we didn't see a soul.

I am now a convert to electrolyte drinks when it's hot or humid. I drank the equivalent of 3 32-oz. bottles Zero Powerade and I felt great at day's end -- in contrast to how depleted ("wilted") I normally feel after only drinking water.

Wildlife sighting -- what I believe is a garter snake.

This was good training for the Lafayette Ridge hike we plan later this year!

5.8 miles RT, 2,277' elevation gain (approx. 6 hours with stops)
Summit: Mt. Monadnock (3,165')
Route: White Dot, Cascade Link, Spellman, Pumpelly to the summit; White Arrow, Surprise Point, Cliff Walk and Lost Farm Trails on the descent

Snake on trial to Mt. Monadnock

Rocky Mountain High

June 2012 - The top five highlights of our vacation to the Rocky Mountain National Park and the mile-high cities of Boulder and Silverthorne in Colorado:

 - up close and personal with a wild bull elk
 - Nancy's beautiful wedding
 - dog-sitting Charlie and Sally
 - the Bear Lakes Wilderness Area hike, including the three lakes -- Nymph, Dream and Emerald (10,080') -- in Rocky Mountain National Park
 - the porcupine on our Boulder Lake (9,782') hike in the Eagles Nest Wilderness Area (near Silverthorne)

Vicki and young bull elk in Rocky Mountain National Park

View between Dream and Emerald Lakes in RMNP

Mt. Cabot, North Country, NH

For my first hike in New Hampshire's North Country, I joined the NH Chapter of AMC and ascended the region's highest summit. Mt. Cabot is the North Country's highest 4,000 footer. This bagged peak was particularly special because it was Leslie Greer's final 4,000-footer -- Mt. Cabot was her 48th!

I wonder just how many 4,000 footers I've actually done? Perhaps I should count them....

A treed summit, Mt. Cabot offers some views both from the cabin a few hundred feet below the summit and from a viewpoint looking eastward about half-way up the Kilkenny Ridge Trail.

Thanks to Bob Janukowicz (aka "Pilgrim") and Norm Michaels (the weatherman) for leading the hike!

9.6 miles,~2,700' elevation gain
Summit: Mt. Cabot = 4,170 feet high
Route: Unknown Pond Trail to Bunnell Notch Trail to Kilkenny Ridge Trail
3-1/2 hrs to Cabot Cabin; 7-1/2 hours to Mt. Cabot and back

Wantastiquet Mountain (near Brattleboro, NH)

I couldn't remember this Indian name until I learned of this mnemonic device - I "Wanna- stick - it- in". Now I remember it!

For modest elevation gain, one gets some very nice vistas, including Monadnock and Stratton Mountains:

1) From East Hill ( a ledge looking south), you can see Northridge Mtn.
2) From Mine Ledge, you can see Mt. Monadnock
3) from Wantastiquet (the ledge at the Walter H. Child monument), you can see Brattleboro, the Connecticut and West Rivers, the Brattleboro Meadows (by the Retreat), Haystack Mountain and Stratton Mountain (the Meadows and Stratton are pictured).

Highlights were beautiful Indian Pond (with lots of leeches), Mine Ledge and the views over Brattleboro from the ledge with the Child Monument.

Thanks to AMC leader Lisa K. (not pictured) for leading the hike with Bridget, me, Betty Anne, Bridget's father Don and Pat (not pictured).

~6 miles, ~1,100 foot elevation gain
Summit: Wantastiquet Mountain = 1,350 feet
Trailhead: Madame Sherri Parking lot (on Gulf Road)
Route: Ann Stokes Loop SE toward Daniels Mtn, and then NW over East Hill (scenic view), around Indian Pond, and then west to Mine Ledge (scenic view) and the ledge with the Child Monument, then down Wantastiquet Mtn. to the Wal-Mart parking area (and Mountain Road trailhead)