Mt. Monadnock...maybe next year

My goal was to be at the top of Monadnock this fall.

I didn't make it.
Not for lack of planning but something always came up.
Then when I finally got a free weekend, we got this:

It looks like canoeing was out of the question too.
Walking on regular ground is hard enough for us Ataxians, let alone snow covered mountain trails.
So Monadnock is posponed until the spring.
I'm not sure if I'm going to try snowshoes this winter.
If I do, I'll post how that goes.
If not, I found a site that has a bunch of 'easy' trails that I might spend the winter researching and planning for next hiking season.

http://www.nhmountainhiking.com/index.html

If I'm going to attempt snowshoeing, this is the site for places to try.

http://www.railstotrails.org/index.html

Enjoy the winter and remember even if we can't handle walking in the snow, there's always somewhere to go.
Don't sit on your a$$ all winter.
It will make getting back up in the spring that much harder.

Rhododendron State Park

This is the perfect spot for those with balance issues (Ataxia Sufferers)
Short and Flat

We went way too late in the season.
If you go in July the place is loaded with blooming Rhododendrons.
When we went you could see the evidence of those blooms.

Only minimal damage from Hurricane Irene.

Once you're done with this short hike, if you want to challenge yourself a little you can venture up Little Monadnock.  We didn't go that day but will before the snow flies.

Rhododendron State Park-perfect hike for ataxians

This place is right down the street from me and just lke everyone else, I guess I figured you had to travel to find a good spot to hike.
Level walk for those of us with balance issues.  Nice wide, well groomed trails

As you can see, this place must look great in the middle of July when everything's in bloom.

We went when everything was already bloomed and gone but you could still see the overabundance of Rhododendrons

Gap Mountain Ascent from the North

I've lived in Troy for 15 years and hiked Gap Mt. almost every one of them.  This is the first time I took the North Trail. Trailhead parking is on Bullard Road off Rte. 24 just past East Hill Farm.
Arrived just before 9:00 am.  Beautiful day.  Virtually bug free.  Pre-hurricane calm I suppose.
As soon as you take off, there is a fork in the trail.  Left is the Metacomet/Monadnock Trail - Right is Gap Mountain. There is nothing to indicate this and if you look at the map at the Trailhead you would assume left was the way to go...Don't.  Go right.

I would say follow the white blazes but the M/M Trail is blazed in white also.  Once you've gone right then you can follow the white blazes.  At about .2 miles you will cross a road in the woods. (an old abandoned logging road?)  Cross it and stay on the trail.

Shortly after that you'll cross a stream. 

and then follow a stone wall for a bit. 

there are a couple of caves up on your left while you're following this stone wall. 

At about 1/2 a mile there is a blue blazed trail that leads to East Hill Farm.  As you near the summit, the North Trail is only wide enough for single file. It's pretty steep.

When you're almost at the top the area is covered with blueberry bushes.  They're all gone by this time of year.  But if you go up at the beginning of August you can return with a whole bunch. 
Got to the summit, turned around and was greeted with a great view of Mt. Monadnock.

Sat for a bit - Had a snack - and headed down.
Alot steeper on the way down than the way up. Luckily I had Barbara as my "steady" thing to hold on to. Having her to steady me really helps on the descent. 
Made up and down in about 3 hours.  Pretty psyched that I tackled Gap Mt.

A few flat hikes before I try Monadnock.

Pack Monadnock

Barbara and I decided to try and tackle Pack Monadnock.
From what I read, Marion Davis Trail seemed like it would be a pretty easy hike for someone with my balance issues. As it turns out I might have bit off a little more than I could chew.
It is very rocky.

A lot of switchbacks along the trail. Quite a few steep parts, but they were very short.

It was a challenge but with Barbara's help I rose to it and I’m glad I did.

I knew I couldn’t handle the descent on the trail. So I was glad for the road going up to the summit. We took that down but it is the steepest road I have ever walked.
We reached the top at the same time a car pulled up and a wedding party got out. Not something you expect to see at the top of your hike. What a beautiful place to get married. The wedding was set up so Mt. Monadnock was the backdrop of the ceremony. What a pleasant surprise to be met with as we emerged from the woods.
 

Cheshire Rail Trail...A great beginning

Rail Trails are trails that use to be railroad tracks.  This is a great place for those of us with balance issues to start,  The trails are flat with no obstructions.

Started in Troy NH and headed south toward Fitzwilliam. Went about 2 miles and turned around. This was my first Rail Trail. Parts of it went through secluded areas

and parts seemed to go right through people's back yards.
(just like the trains did I suppose)

  So if you're looking for solitude in your hike, these probably aren't the trails to take.  But for getting in walking shape and avoiding sidewalks and main town roads, these are the trails for you.
This was my first but definitely not my last Rail Trail.