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Temple Mountain, NH: Route 101 South to Ledges

thetrailboss

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Date(s) Hiked: Sunday, September 19, 2004.

Trails(s) Hiked: Wapack Trail South, various Temple Ski Runs on return.

Total Distance: 3.2 miles (shorty, but fun :wink: )

Difficulty: 8) Easy--good for young kids or first timers.

Conditions: The temperatures were in the 50's, stiff NW winds made it brisk, trails had some mud and water from all of the rain. Sunny. Note that the Wapack up through the Temple Ski Trails is tough to follow in places because of lack of blazes/brush and trees reclaiming the old ski trails. When in doubt, backtrack or walk the maintenance road to the summit and pick up the Wapack at the summit behind the cell tower.

Special Required Equipment: Trekking Poles made it easier on knees :wink: . A machete or sickle would have been good in some sections of the old ski trails :lol:

Trip Report: We got a late start and were looking for a short trip. In October 2003 we hiked Temple Mountain from the southern trailhead off of 123 in Temple northwards to the ledges and over Burton and Holt Peaks, but this stretch of trail from 101 to the ledges was still on our list of "must dos" to complete the Wapack trail.

We parked in the quiet, now desolete Temple Mountain Ski Area parking lot. The quad is now gone and the other buildings are looking rough. We were joined by about 4 or 5 other cars, mainly locals. When parking here, do be sure to park near 101 and do not obstruct the entry way. "Keep Out" barriers are in place, but one can get around them. This is private land so do be respectful of the outbuildings and please report any vandals. When in doubt, park in the Pack Monadnock/NH State Park area on the north end of 101, but be prepared to pay a hefty amount.

Leaving the cars, we walked west on 101 to pick up the Wapack South, which begins in the tall grass off of the highway. It climbs up the bank and enters the former parking lot/staging area of the ski area. Note the old chairs to the right. We did get a bit lost here, but when you do come to this first clearing, head STRAIGHT up the hill and through a small grove of trees into the next open area. From here, the trail climbs up through undergrowth and overgrown cleared areas to the maintenance road on the Broadway Ski Trail. The Wapack Trail, blazed in yellow, climbs up the road and comes to the top of the old T-Bar, which is now showing its age. The remains of the top building lie in a pile. From here, the trail turns to the southeast and heads towards the old double chair. Here, again, the trail comes to a fork and one should look up hill and follow the same maintenance road to the gray "Valve House 2," where the Wapack dives into the softwoods and climbs up to the top of another ski trail. We did scare a snake here and it panicked the GF :oops: .

This wooded section is pleasant. We popped out onto the side of the ski trail and climbed to the remains of the old quad with good views of the Pack Monadnocks. From here, the trail goes around the cell tower and enters more softwoods for a 20 minute, pleasant walk to the ledges. Be sure to follow the blazes and stay on a course heading south. There is a ski touring trail at the top that we crossed. We also spent time checking some of the other views off of the trail.

The Ledges are marked by a circle of cairns an rock figures :eek: . Views to the E horizon, SW, W, and towards NW (now restricted) were pleasant. Trees are beginning to crowd in the ledges.

We then turned back and headed back to the ski area. From here, we poked around the ski trails checking them out and followed the maintenance road to the base. It had been recleared because of the lift removal.

If you are not interested in sticking to the Wapack, the easiest route to the summit is by following this dirt road. Enjoy! 8)

It is unfortunate that the ski area could not make it--the trails seemed short, but fairly steep and wide. The set-up was also odd with the mountain layout wider than it was tall and ski trails set way over towards the T-bar isolated from the rest of the mountain.
 
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