During my yearlong quest to tackle the 4000-footers, my daughter expressed some interest in what I was up to. So, the day after climbing the Twins and Galehead, I took her out of school to climb Mount Monadnock. How much can you learn in school when you’re eight, anyway?
The Dublin Trail Up Monadnock
I thought I’d pick the easiest route, which was presumably the Dublin Trail. Apparently, I didn’t need to be so cautious though, because my daughter bounded up the trail with little effort. It was a tough hike for an eight-year-old kid to be sure, but she didn’t issue a single complaint and was smiling the entire time. We had the trail largely to ourselves and I was beginning to believe we might have a rare day of peace at Monadnock’s summit, but I was mistaken.
The Summit of Mount Monadnock
The summit was mobbed. No less than one hundred people littered the scenery with their carcasses stretched about, snacking on trail mix. Of particular note was a group of loquacious young women who managed to garner the attention of everyone resting about. They spoke of their “Instagame” and choreographed a photo where all of them performed a yoga pose together. It was quite the contrast to the peaceful solitude I typically experienced during my year in the mountains.
“Hard-pressed to find a quiet spot to enjoy our hard-earned lunch, we scooted down the mountain fifty yards to a nice bald spot that appeared to be fairly out of the way from the masses. But as we settled onto our perch, the air was filled with boisterous chatter about selfies and ‘instagame.‘”
I was so impressed with my daughter though. She was loving the mountain experience and wasn’t tired or sore. She looked out from the summit and asked me sincere questions about life and school. Questions that I wouldn’t expect an eight-year-old to ask.
Heading Out for Ice Cream
Days as good as this call for ice cream! A father-daughter day in the mountains wouldn’t be complete without it. But still, we didn’t rush down. Even though she knew about the reward waiting for us, my daughter still took her time exploring the summit and pointing things out in the distance. Back on the Dublin Trail, where less hikers explored, we were mostly in our own company for the descent, free to laugh and joke about “Instagame” and other trivialities of life. I have to tell you, in all of the hikes that I had during my quest to climb the 4000-footers, this was my favorite. And yes, it wasn’t even a 4000-footer.
🧭 Ascent Details: Mount Monadnock (3,165′) via Dublin Trail
- Route: Dublin Trail (out and back)
- Distance: 4.4 miles round trip
- Elevation Gain: ~1,800 feet
- Trailhead: Old Troy Road, Dublin, NH
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trail Features: Steady climb, rocky sections, some exposed ledges near summit
- Summit: Open granite summit with panoramic views of southern New Hampshire and beyond
- Notes: Less crowded than the popular White Dot/White Cross trails from the state park side
Want to Learn More About the White Mountains?
If you like reading about mountains, the 4000-footers, and the ups and downs of getting “out there,” come check out more stories at 4000s by 40.
Looking for photos of more mountains? Head back to the 4000s by 40 Visual Companion to explore the other peaks climbed during the journey.