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
*Please note that the Monadnock Weekly Report will not be published next Friday, 05.24.13.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
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 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.
Campers at the now-open Gilson Pond Campground at Monadnock State Park will experience overnight temperatures in the low 40’s.
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!
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!
Don’t confuse this with the old “Twisted Birch” that you may have seen mentioned on old Monadnock maps near the Cart Path.
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.
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 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.
Over time, what hasn’t changed, for you, about Mount Monadnock and Monadnock State Park?
