Mt.Monadnock for Sunset

You may be privy to the fact that I had climbed Mt.Monadnock about two months ago in order to watch the sunrise. The mountain was a superb choice, with it's close proximity to us, it's easy to see such sites as we don't waste hours just getting to the trailhead. If it's good for a sunrise, then it's good for a sunset, at least that was the idea. Judging by what we saw, it's safe to say it's a perfect spot.

There's nothing else like a beautiful sunset...

Besides my dad and I, we had another hiker with us today, Chris, an excellent photographer from New Haven. We took the most expected route, White Dot Trail, and because we were climbing it in hopes to see the sunset, we began our hike late, whilst everyone else was heading down. Luckily, all the snow had melted, and the trail offered the same spectacular views and exciting climbs as usual.

The Wapack Range, from the Pack Monadnocks to Mt.Watatic.

Showing the loneliness of Mt.Wachusett.

Looking down White Dot Trail.

Town Line Peak (left) with Crotched Mountain alone in the distance.

The upper portions of White Dot Trail.

White Dot and White Cross.

Only a bit of ice here...

Once we were close to the top, we thoroughly explored all the ledges and folds in the rock, as we had plenty of time to spare. With it being spring, there was no haze, meaning we had some of the clearest views you could achieve from Mt.Monadnock. The entire Wapack Range was visible, along with Crotched Mountain and Mt.Wachusett. Did I mention there was nobody else up there with us?

White Dot Trail sign with Kiasticuticus Peak below.

Gap Mountain and Little Monadnock far down below.

Crotched Mountain

The sky began to fill with the early signs of sunset, soft yellows and dull oranges, so we scrambled up the rest of the way, all the way up to the summit, still with an hour to spare. The horizon was so clear, and the air was crisp, and many mountains could be made out. In Vermont, you could see Mt.Haystack and Mt.Snow, Stratton Mountain, Bromley Mountain, Salt Ash Mountain, and the numerous peaks of Mt.Killington (Killington, Mendon, Pico, Shrewsbury).

Stratton Mountain (left) with Bromley Mountain (right)

Looking toward Killington Peak and Mt.Ascutney.

The Coolidge Range with Salt Ash Mountain and Killington Peak.

The temperature was comfortable, and the weak wispy breeze was soft and soothing. Other peaks that could be seen to the west included Gap Mountain and Little Monadnock in the foreground, along with Mt.Ascutney to the northwest and even Mt.Greylock to the southwest.

A plane in the sky.

The soft outline of Mt.Greylock.

Looking into New Hampshire could be seen Dublin Lake, Croydon Peak, Mt.Sunapee, Mt.Kearsarge, the Belknap Range, Mt.Chocorua, and, the still lightly snow-capped Mt.Washington. The sky began to get more and more vivid as time went on.

Looking into New Hampshire.

Looking northeast. The Belknap Range is in the distance to the far left.

Mt.Kearsarge

The best I could capture Mt.Washington.

As oranges filled the sky and clouds darkened, the sun began to set just south of Stratton Mountain, with beautiful colors and soft light. The east side of Mt.Monadnock began to darken as the west side was lit up one last time for the day. It was truly a one of a kind sunset, and I enjoyed every single second of the site.

Sunset from Mt.Monadnock

The sun setting over Vermont.

A few more seconds and it's gone...

The colors of sunset over Stratton Mountain and Keene.

With the sun now fully tucked away beneath the Green Mountains, the lights of nearby Keene and Jaffrey turned on, signaling to us we should begin our way down. We took White Cross Trail, and much like White Dot Trail, it was calm and easy, with occasional glimpses through leafless trees to the illuminated streets of Jaffrey.

Was this brief climb worth the effort, certainly, and I'm happy to know I was able to witness it. The best times of year are when the haze is gone and the air is crisp, like spring and fall. These are the times of year you should be making memories in the mountains, these are the times when you can fully enjoy yourself without the chilling cold of winter or stunning heat of summer. This is the time of year to be outside.

Sunrise in Spring: Wittenberg Mountain

It's safe to say spring is the most unpredictable time of year, at least when it comes to hiking. We all know what to expect on a hot summer day, or a chilling winter morning, but spring is split. You can hope as much as you want for a warm, snow-free hike, but you end up getting sleeted on with a relentless whipping breeze. Case in point, our overnight sunrise from Wittenberg Mountain, which turned out not as we expected. While discomfort plagued our trip, it still had no effect on our enjoyment of another sunrise.

Sunrise from Wittenberg Mountain.

Immediately after our arrival at the trailhead, it began to sleet, which, as we continued down the trail, escalated into snow. It's important to note that this is the first mountain I've climbed in the Catskills, so I had no idea what to expect when it came to terrain. After a steep climb up from the creek, the trail found it's way to a flat area, only to become steep yet again. The trail climbed atop an escarpment of sorts, with several waterfalls coming down to us.

The bridge that initiates the hike.

A part of the escarpment, with heavy fog to the left.

A spring exclusive waterfall.

The weather was awful. There were cold winds striking us and sleet soaring over our heads. It was difficult when it came to keeping our feet wet, as the trail was flooded, and many areas being intensely muddy. After a long walk through flooded trail and sodden leaves, we arrived at the junction with Terrace Mountain Trail, and soon the Long Path, which we passed by.

Lucy sniffing.

The junction.

Luckily, the trail was no longer flooded, as it had morphed into an old cart road, but the winds still howled against our backs. After another half mile, we began to notice large chunks of ice along the trail, something we were not ready for. The ice was very slick, and we continued to be pelted with pellets of icy sleet. We found ourselves at the first of many steep pitches, this one covered in ice. We carefully made our way up.

The trail before the steep pitch.

Another steep pitch followed, and another, and another. For those that have never been to the Catskills: just because the area is about two hours from New York City, doesn't mean it's not difficult. The skies were cloudier than ever when we made it to the top, but there was no snow, so that was good. We turned back and set up our tent beneath the summit. We went inside, not knowing that the next time we'd get out would be at six o'clock in the morning.

When we awoke, the ground was covered in a dusting of snow, but the skies were crystal clear. The wind had kept up all night, and was still blowing strong. We got the cameras ready and made our way to the summit, where we received a beautiful sunrise with just enough clouds in the sky, which made it even more special.

The sunrise.

Overlook Mountain (left) with the sunrise.

The sun rose beside the many peaks of the Devils Path: Plateau, Indian Head, Sugarloaf, Twin, and many others. Overlook Mountain and Black Dome were also visible to the north. Ashokan High Point and Ashokan Reservoir were easily visible, and Friday Mountain, along with Balsam Cap were visible to the south. Behind them could be seen Peekamoose Mountain.

Ashokan Reservoir

The sunrise and Devils Path.

Looking south to Ashokan High Point.

(Left to Right): Balsam Cap, Friday Mountain, Peekamoose Mountain

Ashokan Reservoir, yet again.

Another view.

A few partially illuminated ridges as seen from Wittenberg Mountain.

The sky began to turn blue, and we packed up camp in the midst of the snow dust. We had no crampons, so going down to the Terrace Mountain Trail junction was difficult, but with the now beautiful weather and clear skies, it calmed us as we skillfully maneuvered our way down the ice. Right before the first steep pitch, there was a pleasant view looking to the Devils Path yet again.

The view from the pitch.

The pitch, or chimney, with Lucy sitting atop it.

We slowly finished the hike, and made it down at a very reasonable time. The contrast of spring is something best exemplified in hiking, the first day it can be stormy with snow coming down, the next it can be bright and sunny with clear skies. Much like spring, I don't know what the future for hiking holds, but I hope I will be able to return to this unique, beautiful range before the year ends.