May 8, 2004

Wapack Trail

We joined a group from VFTT for a hike of the 23-mile Wapack Trail from North Pack in Greenfield, NH to Mount Watatic in Ashburnham, MA. The hardest part of the hike was getting up at 3 AM in order to drive to the finish of the hike and shuttle cars and people.

This is the profile of the hike from our GPS.

Our fearless leader!! We all owe our thanks to Mark for organizing the trip

The group just before the start of the hike at 6:10 AM - notice the warm clothes. A 'brisk' morning at this hour.

45 minutes later we arrived at the summit of North Pack Monadnock

A view along the way.

We were blessed with views of Mount Monadnock most of the day

Regrouping at the summit.

On the Cliff trail, looking southwest to Pack Monadnock, our next destination.

Mike makes a nice silouette against Pack Monadnock in the background.

Mark taking strides with Julie hiding in the background.

We're on Pack Mondadnock. Sunshine, glorious views of Monadnock, picnic tables, snacks and an outhouse -- things can't get much better!

Fast forward: we've covered Temple (Holt Mtn) and Burton Peak. Here we stop at Windblown XC Center for lunch. .

Discovered many of our hikers are also excellent cooks--thanks for the brownies, bars, bannana bread, fruit and other fabulous treats

Donna in disquise, yes the black flies were swarming in certain areas. Dannette, meri, John and Julie don't seem too bothered at the moment.

Mt Monadnock still keeping us company in the distance.

With Donna's head covered, John thinks he can steal snacks out of her pack.

Jim W enjoying the views.

Marilyn enjoying the sunshine and warm weather - Marilyn has hiked the AT!

A view of a Binney Pond as near the MA border. This was a beautiful area, and the trails were flat with nice soft pine needles.

The view from Mount Watatic at the end of the trip

Danette is another in the group that has hiked the AT

Julie finds the perfect chair to get comfortable and grab a drink.

Dannette and Jim waiting for others to get to the top.

Meri arrives--sadly thinking the trip is almost over.

Mark and John arriving.

Marilyn and Geri checking out the view of the range we have just hiked over

Geri approaching the final summit with Melissa right behind her

Melissa takes the last few steps to the top

Here we are at the finish! 23 miles and 11 1/2 hours after we started.
L-R: Julie, meri, John, Donna, Dannette, Mark, Jim (trying to hide), Marilyn, Geri, Mike, Bob, Mark, Melissa.

After the hike most of us went to dinner before heading home.

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