Pack & North Pack Monadnock, NH

• 3 & 4-star hikes
• 3 to 8 mile options
• Moderate | Gain 810 to 1,360 feet
• Greenfield & Peterboro, NH | Monadnock Region
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The image shows an individual standing on a rocky outcrop overlooking a vast forest with rolling hills in the distance. The sky is partly cloudy, and the landscape suggests a view from a high vantage point.

Vistas of Pack Monadnock from near the peak of North Pack.

Often overshadowed by its big brother Mount Monadnock, the neighboring peaks of North Pack and Pack Monadnock shouldn't be overlooked. These mountains also offer great hiking and panoramic vistas, but from a much less hectic vantage point. Whereas Mount Monadnock is known for its popularity and weekend crowds on the summit can be something of a zoo, you'll hardly meet anyone on North Pack Monadnock and you may even have the whole mountain to yourself.

Though the words pack monadnock originate with the indigenous Abenaki people to denote "little mountain", at 2,290 and 2,278 feet Pack Monadnock and North Pack Monadnock are actually the tallest and most prominent peaks of the twenty mile long Wapack mountain range.
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4★ N Pack Ted & Carolyn Loop 5.6 mi loop, moderate, gain 1360 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

3★ N Pack via Wapack North 3.0 mi out & back, moderate, gain 950 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

4★ Pack & N Pack via Wapack S 7.7 mi part-loop, moderate, gain 2165 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

3★ Marion & Wapack Loop 2.7 mi loop, moderate, gain 810 ft
AllTrails · GPX File · Directions

Pack Monadnock is most easily accessible from Miller State Park, features a fire tower and an overlook with northerly vistas. Around two miles away North Pack's summit is shrouded in light greenery, a short walk on the nearby Cliff Trail offers the best of the viewpoints. Our favorite route up North Pack is up Ted's Trail which includes lots of creekside trail, a waterfall and more great views.

The image shows an individual standing on a wooden bridge in a forested area, observing a rock formation. The person is wearing a hat, long-sleeve shirt, and pants, and is carrying what appears to be a camera or binoculars. The rock formation has various shades of brown and green moss growing on it.

Crossing in front of Bonner Falls on the well crafted Ted's Trail.

North Pack Ted & Carolyn Loop
Our favorite route.
We recommend a clockwise route up Ted's Trail and a return down the shorter and more moderate Carolyn's Trail. Creeks feature heavily on Ted's route, including two trail bridges and some waterside walking before reaching and crossing Bonner Falls. The path continues to climb steadily up the mountain, offering several lookout spots on the way.

When you reach the junction with Cliff Trail and before you continue to the top of North Pack, make sure you check out the best vantage point on the mountain. Follow a short spur directly west of the junction that's partly hidden by vegetation, to possibly the best viewpoint on the mountain, created by a rockfall that's flattened all the trees.

There are three to four parking spots carved out of the woods on the side of Mountain Road opposite the trailhead.

The image is a split view with two different scenes. On the left side, there is a view looking upwards into a canopy of tall trees, converging towards the sky, creating an interesting perspective that draws the eye upward. On the right side, there is a sign that reads “NORTH PACK MONADNOCK SUMMIT ELEVATION 2,278 FT.” This indicates that the location is at the summit of North Pack Monadnock, a mountain in New Hampshire, and it shows its elevation above sea level.

Tall pine on Ted's Trail. | No views from North Pack unless you're 9ft tall.

North Pack via Wapack North
Shortest North Pack route. No views
The 21.5 mile Wapack Trail begins here and heads south as far as Massachusetts, but assuming you're heading for North Pack then you've picked the shortest route up the mountain. Beginning in mixed forest, the trail soon ascends into evergreen and bare granite rock territory. There are no viewpoints along this trail nor at the summit of the mountain, but budget an additional 1 mile & 150ft gain round trip to the Cliff Trail vista for the best views on the mountain.

Confusingly the Wapack Trail has two northern trailheads within a short distance of each other. We'd advise the western one which includes a large parking lot.

The image shows a person walking across a small wooden bridge over a stream in a forest. The forest appears dense with various sizes of trees, and the ground is covered with fallen leaves and moss-covered rocks. The stream flows gently through the woods, creating a peaceful, natural environment.

Creek crossing on Ted's Trail.

Pack & North Pack via Wapack South
Viewpoints & variety.
Beginning in Miller State Park with it's very large parking lot and small entrance fee, this is a good trail for adventurers who like to track their summit hikes as it includes the two tallest peaks on the Wapack Trail, and includes the cliff trail viewpoint.

Marion & Wapack Loop
Miller State Park circuit. Views at the top.
The most popular route in Miller State Park takes you to the summit of Pack Monadnock where you'll find a fire tower and a sweeping northerly vista. The views here are particularly treasured by birders for the fall hawk migration, where several thousand birds of prey and vultures can be seen during September and October. The summit can also be reached by vehicles, and the road to the summit is also a popular walking route for those who prefer a few less rocks underfoot.

The image shows a tall, metal tower structure with a small cabin at the top against a backdrop of a blue sky with scattered clouds. The tower appears to be a fire lookout or observation post, given its height and the cabin’s placement at the summit. The structure is surrounded by green foliage, indicating it may be located in a forested area.

Fire tower on Pack Monadnock.

The image shows a forest scene with several trees, the closest of which has a yellow triangular mark painted on its trunk. The ground is uneven and covered with rocks and fallen leaves, suggesting a natural and possibly remote setting.

Rocks and roots on the Wapack Trail in Miller State Park.

Tangents:
• Official: Friends of the Wapack, Miller State Park
• Public Map at AllTrails: T&C, Wapack N, Wapack S, Marion Loop
• Facebook Group: Comment on this article

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