Some people like trip reports or stories. Some people just like to get right to the photos. I like both, so I figured, why not provide both? Below are images I’ve captured from peaks and hikes in the Wapack Range, including what I call the Wapack 11. This page is purely intended to give you a visual of what you can expect to see near each peak on or around the Wapack Trail. I’ll keep adding as I go. Enjoy it out there! And if you’d rather get a run down on the experiences you can find on each trail, you can read about them all here.
Pack Monadnock – 2285′
Pack is the tallest peak in the Wapack Range and is a great climb. If you take the rocky Wapack Trail up from Miller State Park and loop back down via the Marion Davis Trail, you won’t be disappointed. These pictures show a mix of spring and autumn visits.
North Pack Monadnock – 2264′
North Pack is the second biggest in the range and a fun hike as well—especially from the Ted’s Trail side, where you’ll go along a river, Bonner Falls, and have some great lookout spots on your way to the summit. If you’re looking to hike the Wapack Trail, North Pack is the farthest one north along the range and is a good “go-to” mountain if you live in southern NH and need to stretch the legs.
Temple Mountain – 2059′
Temple used to be an old ski mountain, and locals still enjoy skinning it when there is enough snow. On a summer day, it’s also a good access point to start exploring some of the peaks that are farther south on the Wapack Trail. I have a bunch of pictures from skinning it, but I don’t seem to have any pictures from the other three seasons—I may have to remedy that soon.
Burton Peak – 2014′
You don’t hear much about Burton Peak, and yet, it’s one of my favorite on the Wapack. It has an incredible view of Mount Monadnock that’s hard to beat.
New Ipswich Mountain
New Ipswich isn’t easy to get to from either direction. I prefer it from the Binney Pond route and found the views more enjoyable going up that way (see Pratt and Stony Top pictures). But it’s pretty nice either way. Most of these photos were taken heading up from the direction of the old cross-country ski trail system known as Windblown.
Barrett Mountain – 1847′
Barrett Mountain is most easily accessed via the old Windblown Cross-country ski trails. It’s a little weird when you start off, especially on a cold winter day. You pass under some telephone poles and a couple of old storage sheds that make you feel like you’re trespassing, but like all the other Wapack Range Summits, it’s beautiful once you get past that stuff.
Mount Watatic – 1838′
This one is a beaut. Definitely make sure to climb East Watatic when you’re there. Great views of Wachusett Mountain and a really nice climb. Not too difficult for plenty in return.
Pratt Mountain – 1827′
Pratt is a good one. It grants you access to Stony Top and New Ipswich, if you’re willing to hike that far. And if you’re looking for a quick mountain to hike with peaceful terrain and views, an ascent of Pratt overlooking Binney Pond is worth every step.
Kidder Mountain – 1816′
Kidder is the only one of the Wapack 11 not directly on the Wapack Trail, but it’s connected to it. Taking the Kidder Mountain Trail reveals some new wonderful views, and raises some interesting questions…
Stony Top – 1761′
You have to work a bit to get to Stony Top, as it’s situated between Pratt and Barrett Mountain—so you have to climb over at least one mountain to get to it. But if you’re willing to make the trek, it’s worth it.
Nutting Hill – 1628′
Nutting Hill doesn’t have as much in the way of views as the rest of the range, but when you hike Watatic, you’re served well by looping Nutting Hill on the way down. It’s a nice section of trail with some good-looking cairns and a nice grade to hike.
