Still the one: Monadnock's Dublin Trail

Although only 3,165 feet tall, Mount Monadnock, with its alpine plants, sweeping views and breezy upper ledges, has the feel of a White Mountains hike. I've hiked Monadnock using a variety of trails, but the Dublin Trail is by far my favorite. The roughly 5-mile out-and-back trail climbs Monadnock's north side, beginning in hardwood forest before ascending over boulders and open ledges with some of the mountain's best views. On July 6, a mix of clouds and sun kept temperatures in the low 80s, a welcome break from the record-challenging heat over the Fourth of July weekend. My longtime friend, Curtis Carroll, and I headed to Dublin for the climb. The white-blazed trail started on a needle-surfaced path that moved through a hardwood forest, then changed to an exposed-root, boulder and ledge-filled path that moved steadily uphill. Fifteen minutes into the hike, we came to a clear-cut area. This was a shelterwood harvest completed by Forest Society foresters, where lower-quality trees were removed to encourage young forest growth beneath mature trees. Beyond this, more boulders and ledges followed. Hand and toe holds were sometimes necessary as we navigated the terrain. The trail soon moved through a narrow, shaded ravine. Here, we saw sillimanite, unusual markings that resemble turkey tracks on slabs of schist. These are sillimanite crystals that stand out due to the weathered surface of the rocks; they were formed during a period of folding when intense heat and pressure within the rocks changed the mineral composition. We also spotted a burl resembling a wasp's nest on a tall striped maple, along with a variety of ground cover. This included Clintonia (also known as bluebead lily, which later produces ceramic-blue berries), starflower, Canada Mayflower (or wild lily-of-the-valley), and hobblebush. Soft pockets of spruce needles cradled the hard rock. For a brief stretch, we followed rock steps with matted leaves tucked between the stones, making for easy walking. But the respite didn't last long; the trail soon continued steeply over boulders and a jumbled ledge system. A little more than an hour into the hike, we entered a zone dominated by red spruce. Red spruce dominated this section of the trail. Its dark, four-sided needles and reddish cones make it easy to identify, and its thick bark helps it withstand harsh mountain weather. Nearby, rhodora shrubs were beginning to show their vibrant pink blossoms. We reached an open ledge with views of Pumpelly Ridge — the longest direct trail to the summit, which also climbs Monadnock's north side. Beyond the ridge, Crotched Mountain rose in the distance. Then it was back into the woods and more ledge scrambling. In a short time, we stopped to take in the expansive views to the north and west. Below us, barns, lakes, and open fields were ensconced in the rolling hills, while turkey vultures soared overhead. From this point, the ledge skirted the side of the mountain until we reached the Marlboro Trail junction. From here, just a 15-minute walk along a dirt path between behemoth boulders separated us from the summit. The summit was breezy. We saw old drill holes in the rock once used for support cables for long-gone buildings, dark-eyed juncos flitting around the rocks, historical initials carved into the stone, and fellow hikers busy taking photos to commemorate the climb, all while we took in the 360-degree view. To get to the Dublin Trail from Keene, drive on Route 101 East. After passing Dublin Lake, turn right onto Lake Road in 0.2 miles. Continue on Lake Road, which becomes Old Marlboro Road, for 2 miles. Turn left onto Old Troy Road. The parking area is 1.8 miles farther down the road. The trail is marked with a white "D" and cairns. The Dublin Trail's northern approach is less demanding than the steep White Dot Trail on Monadnock's south side, though the descent remains rugged and steep. Dogs are not allowed at Monadnock State Park or on the trails.