North Pack Monadnock

Length: 4.2 miles out-and-back

Difficulty (click for info): Moderate

Elevation Gain: 950 feet

Rating (click for info): 6/10

Elevation: 2276'

Prominence: 546'

Driving Directions:
Trailhead and parking area are on Mountain Road in Greenfield, NH. To get there, take Russell Station Road off Rt. 31, 2.8 miles south of Rt. 136 in the center of Greenfield and 8.1 miles north of Rt. 101 in the center of Wilton. In 0.8 miles, turn right onto Mountain Road. The very large parking area will be on the left in 1.9 miles. Click here for a Google map.

Trail Map

About the Hike:
Although not as well-known as its slightly taller neighbor with a fire tower, North Pack Monadnock is just as nice a hiking destination. Its summit features limited views through the trees to the northwest, and two viewpoints along the Cliff Trail yield expansive views to the south. The hike begins at the northern end of the 22-mile Wapack Trail. From the parking area, follow the Wapack Trail, blazed with distinctive yellow triangles. In 0.1 miles, turn right to join another fork of the Wapack that comes from the road just east of the parking area (remember to turn left on the way back). The trail soon passes through a mountain laurel grove, then crosses a brook. In half a mile, the trail hits a steep climb up a short ledge, at the top of which it begins to follow areas of open rock. Once you get high enough, you will be able to look back and see to the north. After about 0.4 miles over intermittent ledges, the trail returns to the forest for more sections of steep climbing, with a few more rocky sections. The grade eases near the top, which is reached just over half a mile from the ledges.

At the summit of North Pack Monadnock, there is a somewhat limited view to the northwest. The view is wide, but grown in by small trees. Don't stop here! Continue to the summit cairn and fork left onto Cliff Trail (follow blue blazes). From the summit, the trail descends into the forest and meanders 0.2 miles to a junction with Ted's Trail, where there is a wide view to the east. The trail continues down another 0.3 mile to an even better outlook called South Cliff. From South Cliff, the vista extends from Boston to Mt. Monadnock. In the center of the view is Pack Monadnock and the Wapack ridge.

Printable directions page