Hike New England - North Pack Monadnock

North Pack Monadnock

Mountains:		North Pack Monadnock (2,278')
Trails:		Ted's Trail, Carolyn's Trail, Cliff Trail
Region:		NH - Southwest Wapack National Wildlife Refuge
Location:		Greenfield, NH
Rating:		Easy/Moderate
Features:		Summit, views, ledges, loop hike
Distance:		Approximately 6.0 miles
Elevation Gain:		965 feet (high point minus low point)
Season:		Fall
Hike Date:		11/03/2007 (Saturday)
Author:		Reinhild Davis
Companions:		SDHers Mark M, Mary S, Christopher

Route Summary

Mary (photo by Mark Malnati)

Start at Ted's Trail on Old Mountain Road in Greenfield, NH
At the first trail junction with Carolyn's Trail, bear left to stay on Ted's Trail (we'll be taking the other route for the descent).
Near the top, you'll encounter the upper junction with Carolyn's Trail. Keep going straight to stay on Ted's Trail.
Shortly after that, you will meet up with Cliff Trail.
Turn right to follow Cliff Trail (Cliff Trail also goes to the left).
The next trail junction will be with the Wapack Trail and at this point you will be at North Pack Monadnock's summit.
Optional descent route: From the Cliff Trail, you can turn left onto the Wapack Trail, follow it for 0.7 mile, and then turn left onto the other end of Cliff Trail, which will circle you back to the top of Ted's Trail.
Leaving the summit, retrace your steps on the Cliff Trail.
Turn left at the next junction to get on Ted's Trail.
Then turn left again at the next junction to follow Carolyn's Trail for the route down.
At the lower junction with Ted's Trail, bear left to follow Ted's Trail back to Old Mountain Road.

Map of North Pack Monadnock trails and hiking route (map courtesy of Wapack National Wildlife Refuge)

Trail Guide

In spite of the threatening skies and approaching storm, four hikers and one dog made their way up North Pack Monadnock on Ted's trail. The trail was lovely, with fall woods and stark cliffs. As we reached viewpoints the wind started to pick up and we could see the storm approaching from the south, so we decided to summit North Pack and not continue on to the main South peak.

View (photo by Mark Malnati)

We only met one other pair of hikers on the summit–not many, it seemed, had ventured out. After a short, cold lunch break (our second one), we decided to head down ahead of the rain, taking Carolyn's trail for the descent. About one mile from the cars the rains came, and we stopped and donned rain gear.

According to Mary, Ted and Carolyn made these trails and perhaps donated some of the land for our use and enjoyment. Although a bit longer, they provide a lovely alternative to the Wapack trail which is the usual approach.

No ice cream on this hike!

Midas enjoying the view (photo by Mark Malnati)

Welcome

Welcome hikers, walkers, and snowshoers!

This site is geared towards those that love to be outside. Whether you're looking for outdoor fitness and recreation or wishing to find peace and serenity through nature - we have suggestions for you.

Our free hiking trail guide resource offers everything from short, easy, nature walks to challenging mountain climbs above timberline in the alpine zone. The detailed trail reports with hike descriptions, trail maps, photos, and driving directions serve as a great planning tool. Many of the trail guides are based on hikes in the beautiful White Mountains of New Hampshire.

We offer ideas for all seasons so take those boots or snowshoes out of the closet and go for a hike! Get revitalized and melt away stress; there's always a special peace or joy in being surrounded by nature whether you're all alone on a remote path or on a busy trail exchanging cheerful greetings with like-minded people.

HikeNewEngland.com covers hikes in Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island.

NH - Southwest

Driving Directions

Group (photo by Mark Malnati)

The trailhead for Ted's and Carolyn's Trails is located on Old Mountain Road in Greenfield, NH.

The Wapack Trailhead is marked by blue and white refuge boundary signs on the south side (right) of the road and there is a small pullout on the north side (left) of the road. (Wapack Trailhead is mentioned here only to give you a reference point for finding Ted's and Carolyn's Trails.)

The trailhead for Ted's and Carolyn's Trails is approximately a half mile east of (beyond) the trailhead for Wapack Trail. There is a trail sign as well as a one-car pullout, both located on the south side (right) of the road.

From the east:

Go west on Rt. 101 over the top of Temple Mountain.
After the passing lane ends at the top of the hill, do not turn into the Miller State Park parking lot. Instead, continue 0.4 mile to the first right (Old Mountain Road in Peterborough), and turn right.
Proceed 0.6 mile to a three-way intersection, and bear right onto East Mountain Road.
Go another 2.8 miles until the road ends.
Turn right onto Sand Hill Road.
Follow Sand Hill Road for approximately 2.2 miles (Sand Hill Road becomes Old Mountain Road at the Greenfield town line).
The signed trailhead and small pullout are both located on the south side (right) of the road.

From the north:

Go south on Rt. 202/Rt. 123.
Follow Rt. 202/Rt. 123 south past the turnoff for Rt. 136 north (on the left).
Continue on Rt. 202/Rt. 123 south for 1.0 mile past the turnoff for Rt. 136, and then take your first left onto Sand Hill Road.
Follow Sand Hill Road for approximately 4.5 miles (Sand Hill Road becomes Old Mountain Road at the Greenfield town line).
The signed trailhead and small pullout are both located on the south side (right) of the road.

From the west:

Go east on Rt. 101.
In Peterborough, turn left at the junction with Rt. 202/Rt. 123 north (this will be the traffic light following the intersection that leads to downtown Peterborough).
Go 1.1 miles then bear right onto Sand Hill Road.
Follow Sand Hill Road for approximately 4.5 miles (Sand Hill Road becomes Old Mountain Road at the Greenfield town line).
The signed trailhead and small pullout are both located on the south side (right) of the road.

Stone wall (photo by Mark Malnati)

About Wapack National Wildlife Refuge

Wapack National Wildlife Refuge was New Hampshire's first refuge and was established through a donation in 1972. The 1,672-acre refuge is located about 20 miles west of Nashua, New Hampshire and encompasses the 2,278-foot North Pack Monadnock Mountain.

stone wall (photo by Mark Malnati)

The refuge is a popular hawk migration area and provides nesting habitat for numerous migratory songbirds such as the tree sparrow, Swainson's thrush, magnolia warbler, crossbills, pine grosbeaks and white-throated sparrow. The refuge also supports a wide variety of upland wildlife including deer, bear, coyote, fisher, fox, mink and weasel.

Ted's Trail and Carolyn's Trail start on private property but about half their lengths run within the refuge. A man named Ted maintains Ted's Trail.

The Wapack refuge also encompasses a portion of the Wapack Trail which leads up from Old Mountain Road, across North Pack's summit, then out of the refuge and continues south over South Pack's summit and beyond that into Massachusetts.

Jimmie Reynolds, Refuge Manager
Wapack and Great Bay National Wildlife Refuges
100 Merrimac Drive
Newington, NH 03801-2903
Phone: 603-431-7511 ext. 222
Fax: 603-431-6014
Email: fw5rw_gbnwr@fws.gov
Refuge website
Regional planning website

Property Use Guidelines

no hunting
no fishing
no trapping
no motorized vehicles

Website by LeapfrogProgramming.com

© 1998-2024

The information on this site may freely be used for personal purposes but may not be replicated on other websites or publications. If you want to reference some content on this site, please link to us.

Legend
	Difficulty Rating
	Hiking Time Comments
	Hiking Time Calculator
	Actual vs. Typical Hiking Times and Outing Durations
	Distances of Hikes
	Elevation Gain/Loss
	New England States
		Maine Regions
		Vermont Regions
		New Hampshire Regions
		Massachusetts Regions
		Connecticut Regions
		Rhode Island Regions
	Dates Comments
	Map Comments and Legend

Forest Statuses
	Please check the links below to get the latest status, closures, and alerts regarding forest roads, trails, and campgrounds.
		White Mountain National Forest
		WMNF Road Statuses on FB
		Green Mountain National Forest

Jump to Section
			Hike Summary
			Route Summary
			Trail Map
			Trail Guide
			Driving Directions
			About Wapack National Wildlife Refuge
			Property Use Guidelines