Name: White Dot Trail
Rating: 4.4

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Features Birding · Fall Colors · Spring · Views · Waterfall

The park is open year-round. Visitors should take care to note that if they are hiking after dark or in poor weather conditions they are responsible for their own well being and safety. The rangers at the park expect those venturing out in these kinds of conditions to be experienced and have the proper gear. In the event of a rescue if a party is found at fault they could be fined by NH F&G.

Please note that no camping or overnight use is allowed on the mountain outside of designated campsite

Description

The White Dot Trail is the most traveled path to the summit of Mount Monadnock. As such, it is much wider than your average trail and is a good way for large groups to make their ascent. The first 0.6~ miles of the trail is a rather gradual, wide dirt path and will take hikers to Falcon Spring and the base of the Cascade Link Trail.

From there, the trail becomes much steeper, rockier and can become very technical for the inexperienced. About halfway up the trail, hikers will begin to break the treeline and start getting glimpses of the horizon and the surrounding countryside. At this point, the trail is almost entirely rock slabs and will remain so all the way to the summit.

Upon reaching the summit, visitors are rewarded with a full 360° view of southern New Hampshire. On a clear day, the Boston skyline is visible to the east and on the best days Mount Washington and many of the White Mountains are visible to the far north. Other landmarks visible from the top include: Mount Wachusett, Quabbin Reservoir, Mount Greylock, many of the Green Mountains in Vermont and Mount Ascutney.