Monadnock is a peak in southwest New Hampshire, 3,165', and apparently the 'third most climbed mountain in the world.' It's a good, steep, scrambly kind of peak, especially on the bare rock at the top. And it gains some good elevation from the parking lot - about 1,700'.
My daughter Lily, age three and 3/4, has done a fair bit of hiking and climbing, and is always game for a new adventure. So, we drove north a couple of hours, met our friend Pete (the extra muscle in case things went pear-shaped and child-carrying became necessary), parked at the state park entrance on Rte 124, and headed up the Halfway House trail.
The party:
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 Pete, Dana (mom, three month's pregnant with twins), and Lily. Ready for action! Credit: do |
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We started up a mellow road (actually somebody's driveway) headed for the site of the old halfway house. Figured we'd start Lily off gently, rather than leap straight onto a steep, uneven trail. Also of note, my wife, Dana, is pregnant with twins, so our goal was to have a pleasantly taxing, but not desperate, day out.
Soon we reached the halfway house site, and a nice meadow.
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 Approaching the halfway house site and meadow... Credit: do |
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Time for a snack.
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 Snack Rock Credit: do |
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And a view.
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 Twas a nice day. Credit: do |
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That's where we be going!
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 Way way up there! Credit: do |
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After a walk in the meadow.
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 Forest fairy Credit: do |
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From the halfway point, we join the White Arrow trail and start tromping up increasingly steep terrain. It's a great trail for Lily - lots to look at, great rocks to climb over, and good places to sit and rest.
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 Lily's Rule: every rock encountered must be bouldered Credit: do |
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There are some smooth, water-worn slabs that require serious climbing.
The start:
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 Impeccable technique 1 Credit: do |
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The finish:
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 Snagging the top! Credit: do |
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Pretty hot day, too. Got up to 90 at one stage. Lily did really well in the heat - she's good at pacing herself.
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 Phew! Credit: do |
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Soon enough, we got close to the treeline.
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 Ever curious - what's beyond those trees? Credit: do |
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And the business began. Lots of fun scrambling and teetering along ridges of rock.
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 big steps for little legs Credit: do |
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 A little knife's edge to balance along Credit: do |
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It's a neat mountain. There are some really cool little pools along the way, and then some remarkably exposed third class slabs and corners.
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 Fabulous! Credit: do |
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We detoured off the trail to enjoy some cool rock.
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 i love this photo! Credit: do |
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And then, we were nearly there. A last bit of hiking for our outstanding little girl. She climbed the whole way under her own power.
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 nearly there, a bit tired Credit: do |
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 Summit (stick)! That's a happy, tired face! Credit: do |
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Pretty crowded place, the summit of Mt Monadnock on a nice day, so we siddled down and around to the Billing Fold, a little gully with a nice high slab to mess around on. A good picnic spot.
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 Pete way the heck out there Credit: do |
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 Dad (Dave) in a photo! Credit: do |
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 Pete - master of the extreme! Credit: do |
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The day was getting on, so Lily climbed into her backpack for a well-earned carry down to the halfway house. A quick jog down the road to the car, a stop by Dublin Lake for a swim, and then home to Pete and Laura's for pizza.
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 Our heroine Credit: do |
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Hard to imagine that we'll be doing this with three kids in a few year's time. First though, finding Lily a 4000er for next year - summer vacation in the Presidentials!
Thanks for reading, folks.
