Monadnock is such a classic. It’s had a special place in my heart since hiking it as a kid with family and friends. This was my second time hiking it solo as an adult. The hike up is equal parts challenging and fun and the summit is so expansive and fun to explore as well. The trails on AllTrails seem to be marked differently than the true trails and can be a bit confusing but maybe that’s just me. I thought I would be in great shape for this hike despite having a bit of a cold but it did kick my butt. Splitting headache and ear pain going up from my congested sinuses. I chose the steeper trail with less mileage kind of by accident but ended up being glad I did this route due to timing and the way I was feeling. Spotted a snake, vultures, and many varieties of mushrooms on the trail. Overall a fun day 🙂