Monadnock Weekly Report 05.17.13

05.17.13

“I walk wherever the weather provides because everybody needs some time outside. Give me no lip and I tell you no lie.”- Clutch, Pure Rock Fury

 

A view east off of the Cascade Link. Gilson Pond (closest) and Thorndike Pond (largest) in sight. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel
A view east off of the Cascade Link trail on Monadnock. The Wapack Range is on the horizon while Gilson Pond (closest) and Thorndike Pond (largest) are in sight. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel

 

*Please note that the Monadnock Weekly Report will not be published next Friday, 05.24.13. Please call Monadnock State Park directly with questions: 603-532-8862

Mount Monadnock's Thoreau Bog located on the North Ridge of the mountain. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.
Mount Monadnock’s Thoreau Bog located on the North Ridge of the mountain. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.

After a bit of a cold stretch, the Spring weather and conditions have hit their stride on Mount Monadnock. Some of the early flowers, such as Painted Trillium and Soloman’s Seal are out. My favorite, the Rhodora, are not far behind. Mountain Ash leaves are returning and the serene sounds of songbirds dance through the mountain’s forests.

The Rhodora are about to pop on Monadnock. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.
The Rhodora are about to pop on Monadnock. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.

The trails on Monadnock are relatively dry and the upcoming forecast looks generally favorable. Despite the slight chance of a shower on Saturday, the weekend is shaping up to be a nice one in the Monadnock Region. Temperatures can be expected to reach only into the mid 60’s at the base of the mountain and partly sunny skies are likely.

 

A cool rock formation found off of Mt. Monadnock's North Ridge. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.
A cool rock formation found off of Mt. Monadnock’s North Ridge. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.

 

Campers at the now-open Gilson Pond Campground at Monadnock State Park will experience overnight temperatures in the low 40’s.

 

The east entrance of Monadnock's Parker Trail. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.
Next to the eastern entrance of Monadnock’s Parker Trail. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.

Black flies and ticks are still abundant. The black flies are mostly a bother in the low elevations, thinning in numbers as you head up. Aside from the usual precautions, you can also avoid picking up ticks by staying on the trail.

Day Trippers

Connecticut viewers of the television affiliate FOX CT may have already seen Mount Monadnock featured this week on the “Day Trippers” segment. A link for the rest of us to see it (including me) will be available in the next few days. Check here for the updates and link when it becomes available. Thank you again to Fox CT and to Sarah Cody for visiting, climbing, and featuring Grand Monadnock on their program!

The summit of Monadnock was visited by the crew of FOX CT earlier this month. This photo from 05.15.13. by Patrick Hummel.
The summit of Monadnock was visited by the crew of FOX CT earlier this month. This photo from 05.15.13. by Patrick Hummel.

 

Twist and Shout!

Mount Monadnock has an array of interesting trees that grew in unusual contortions in order to survive. One of my favorites is a pine located on the Smith Connecting, which I refer to as the Twister Tree. Check this guy out!

The base of the Twister Tree on the Smith Connecting Trail. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.
The base of the Twister Tree on the Smith Connecting Trail. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.

Don’t confuse this with the old “Twisted Birch” that you may have seen mentioned on old Monadnock maps near the Cart Path.

The full view of the Twister Tree. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.
The full view of the Twister Tree. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.

 

Monadnock History of the Week

This week, we are going to keep it a little bit more simple with our look back in time at Monadnock State Park. Instead of a story from the mountain’s storied past, I dug this photograph out of the Monadnock State Park archives to share and contemplate.

A group of young men prepare for the Monadnock climb, reviewing the old map on the front of the Warden's Cabin (now known as the Park Office) at Monadnock State Park Headquarters.
A group of young men prepare for the Monadnock climb, reviewing the old map on the front of the Warden’s Cabin (now known as the Park Office) at Monadnock State Park Headquarters.

 

This photograph is dated July 22, 1967, and was taken in front of what is now the Monadnock State Park office at the base of the White Dot Trail. For comparison nearly 50 years later, here is today’s view:

The Warden's Cabin today, literally. 05.16.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.
The Warden’s Cabin today. 05.16.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.

The sign for the entrance of the White Dot Trail is now on the right side of the trail, out of frame. The flag pole was moved from the front to the side of the building and the Visitor Center (originally called the Eco-Center) was not built until 1969, two years after the old photo was taken. Other differences are easily found, including the payphone, which is starting to become a noticeably dated item now.

But, what I find neat about comparing photographs like this is to focus on what hasn’t changed.

 

An old trail blaze from Monadnock's historical (now defunct) Pezer Trail, located in the eastern woods of the mountain. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.
Evidence of an old trail blaze from Monadnock’s historical (now defunct) Pezer Trail, located in the eastern woods near the base of the mountain. 05.15.13. Photo by Patrick Hummel.

 
Over time, what hasn’t changed, for you, about Mount Monadnock and Monadnock State Park?

 

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Patrick Hummel, Mount Washington State Park

As the Park Manager of Mount Washington State Park, I oversee and manage the operations of the 60 acres of the summit of Mount Washington; the highest peak in the northeast US at 6,288'. Our Park is staffed 24/7, 365 days a year and is sometimes referred to as the "Home of the World's Worst Weather". Previously, I served as the NH State Parks Volunteer Program Manager and before that, the Park Manager at Monadnock State Park, home to the most climbed mountain in the Western Hemisphere. IG= @topofthenortheast

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