The Trail Less Traveled on Mt. Monadnock: Part 2

We began our walk on the Old Halfway House trail. It was a sunny and mild morning.

We met a golden frog along the way.

We paused at the former site of the Halfway House hotel to take in the views. It was a popular spot.

Where the hotel once stood, wildflowers now grow. We continued on toward the summit via the White Arrow trail.

The trees abruptly thinned and then the summit was visible. Before leaving the shelter of the woods we had lunch in a cool and shady spot.

I had fun trying to take pictures of some very charismatic clouds as they whirled around the peak. We stopped to examine the organisms growing in the crevices between rocks.

Of course, there were plenty of great views. And also more clouds to try and photograph. We made it to the summit to join dozens of people lounging on the rocks. We didn’t linger very long.

Our way back down took us along a new trail.

We walked Smith Summit (with a short detour along the Amphitheater trail) to the Monte Rosa site. By this time it was fairly hot and windy in the afternoon.

We were grateful to descend back into the shade of the forest. We walked along the well-named Mossy Brook trail. Fuzzy green rocks and stumps gave the forest a fairy-tale feel. It’s my favorite trail on the mountain so far.

We returned safely to the trailhead, tired but very happy. It was a wonderful trip.

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Jackie Raiford, New Hampshire State Parks Intern

I'm a graduate student working towards my Masters in Conservation Biology at Antioch University New England. My research interests include the conservation of urban green spaces for the physical and psychological health of communities. I lived for the first 24 years of my life in Rockville, Maryland just north of Washington D.C. I have traveled a little both domestically and abroad, and lived for six months in Australia. I also work as a dance and fitness instructor, and am certified by the American Council on Exercise.

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