Ritzhikes

Where: Mt. Monadnock, NH When: 11/23/2022 With: Solo While the ground was still bare, I took the opportunity for another test drive of my new trail runners. Today's destination was Mt. Monadnock, and the Marlboro Trail. It climbs from the west, and last year about this time I hiked the other western route , the Dublin Trail. Like the Dublin, access to the Marlboro Trail was via a rough dirt road (Shaker Road), which had a sign posted saying the road was not maintained for winter travel. As I made my way carefully along its bumps and ruts I was thinking it wasn't especially maintained for travel in ANY season, but my ground-hugging Accord made it to the parking area relatively unscathed. I arrived right at 9AM, sharing the lot with two other vehicles. After a quick pack-up, I hit the trail. Frankly, I packed a bit heavy. I'd hoped I could bring my small day pack, but I wasn't sure of the conditions, so I opted for a bigger bag and filled it with my emergency bag, microsp...

Where: Wachusett Mt. When: 11/21/2022 With: Solo This was a quick test drive of my post-Covid lungs & legs, and my new trail runner shoes. The lungs & legs did just fine, and the shoes were wonderful. Light, good grip, and very comfortable. The wide toe box was appreciated on the downhills. With winter on the doorstep, they'll likely go into hibernation until next summer, but I'm pleased with how they worked today, I parked at the park headquarters and followed the Bicentennial Trail a short distance to the Pine Hill Trail, my primary goal. It was the only trail on Wachusett that I haven't hiked (though there are still a number of roads to follow). I was immediately struck by the trail's construction - stone steps with stone sidings. I figured it would just be for a short distance, but it wound up continuing nearly the entire way to the summit. My guess is this was the work of the Civilian Conservation Corps, who did a lot of work at Wachusett. It was very impre...