Mount Monadnock with J Paul

Mount Monadnock, or Grand Monadnock, is a mountain in the towns of Jaffrey and Dublin, New Hampshire.[3] It is the most prominent mountain peak in southern New Hampshire and is the highest point in Cheshire County. It's bare summit offers expansive views.
Mt. Monadnock has long been cited as one of the most frequently climbed mountains in the world.[4] It bears a number of hiking trails, including the 110-mile (180 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail and the 50-mile (80 km) Monadnock-Sunapee Greenway.[3] The summit is barren largely because of fires set by early settlers. The first major fire, set in 1800 to clear the lower slopes for pasture, swept through the stands of virgin red spruce on the summit and flanks of the mountain. Between 1810 and 1820, local farmers, who believed that wolves were denning in the blowdowns, set fire to the mountain again. The conflagration raged for weeks, destroying the topsoil and denuding the mountain above 2,000 feet.

We plan to ascend by the Old Halfway House Trail, Cart Path, and Marian and Marlboro Trails, have lunch at the summit, and descend by the Smith Summit, Fairy Spring Trail, and toll road. Elevation gain: 1665 ft.
Distance: 5.8 miles.
WHAT TO BRING: Rain gear, good hiking shoes, energy snacks, a lunch and minimum 2 Liters of water.
Don't be fooled by the relatively short mileage - there are steep sections, and although we'll be going at a slow to moderate pace, this hike is not suitable for a raw beginner. We will stay together, and travel at the pace of the slowest hiker. There will be a great deal of exposure so be sure to pack rain gear just in case. A forecast of bad weather will cancel this hike. The decision will be made the evening before.

IMPORTANT - There is a parking fee of $15 per vehicle. You can purchase your parking pass online on the NH State Parks website to be sure you get a spot. Obviously, car pooling will help to reduce the cost per person. For NH residents over 65, the parking pass is free. BE SURE TO CHECK THE BOX FOR “MONADNOCK OLD TOLL ROAD”, NOT the main park entrance. (this is the parking lot on Route 124)

PETS ARE NOT ALLOWED IN MONADNOCK STATE PARK
NO GUESTS - if you want to bring a guest, they will need to sign up for Meetup to register for this hike.

WHO SHOULD NOT GO ON THIS HIKE:
- first time/novice hikers
- those not comfortable with a slow pace
- those not willing to stay with group
- those who have afternoon appointments that day

DISCLAIMER: As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity you acknowledge and agree to the following: this activity involves inherent risks,illness,disability,and/or others, you assume all risks associated with activity; you are responsible for having the necessary, knowledge,skill,abilities clothing, and equipment to safely participate in this hike, you know and will follow the hike safe code (http:// www.hikesafe.com) the organizers of this activity are volunteers, and you release, hold harmless and indemnify the organizer(s) all members of this group from any and all claims from property damage,injury,illness, and/or death including those caused by negligence.

NOTE: “Life’s a Hike” T-shirts are available! One of these awesome shirts (see photos) can be yours for a donation of $25 or more. All proceeds will go to the humanitarian group NH4Ukraine .