3,165 ft | Monadnock | 0 routes
As of October 17, 2026
Trail conditions on Mount Monadnock are currently rated Moderate. At 3:20 AM ET it was 34°F at the summit (3,165 ft), feeling like 23°F, with NW winds at 16 mph. See the hour-by-hour Mount Monadnock weather forecast for summit temps, wind chill, and the best hiking window.
No routes available for this peak.
Smith Summit Trail (0.6 mi) · White Arrow Trail (1.0 mi) · White Dot Trail (1.7 mi) · Dublin Trail (2.1 mi) · Pumpelly Trail (3.9 mi) · Monadnock Sunapee Greenway Trail (7.1 mi)
Feels like 23°F
Conditions summary as of October 17, 2026
Cold, breezy conditions with a summit feels-like in the low 20s and gusts into the 30s, though skies are mainly clear and no new precipitation is expected. Recent rain followed by below-freezing overnight lows means wet rock and trail surfaces may have refrozen into verglas or ice, especially in shaded sections. Plan an early start but wait for daylight and some sun to soften icy surfaces, and allow margin for the roughly 11 hours of daylight.
The trailhead (~2,000 ft) runs roughly 30-49°F while the summit (~3,165 ft) drops to 25-44°F with stronger winds and a wind chill near 6°F; the freezing level is well below the trailhead, so expect icy conditions the whole way. Start with a breathable base and midlayer, then add a windproof shell and insulating layer before leaving the shelter of the forest for the open summit rock.
Best Hiking Window
Saturday late morning through mid-afternoon after sun has softened icy surfaces, or Sunday under clear skies with the lowest wind risk; descend well before sunset around 6 PM
Last synthesized Oct 17, 3:20 AM ET
Planning a hike here this week?
Trailblazer adds the full 7-day summit forecast, the best day to go for every peak, and conditions for each route up.
Trail: White Dot Trail, White Cross Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“Super dry trail. Well maintained.”
Trail: Wapack Trail, Cliff Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable
“This trail should be fried out a great deal by Sunday. Beautiful forest, interesting trail, and some views.”
Trail: White Dot Trail, Cascade Link, Red Spot Trail, Pumpelly Trail, White Cross Trail
Conditions: Dry Trail
“Up Red Spot Trail, down White Cross Trail. This is one of my favorite loops on the east side of the mountain. Red Spot is much less crowded than White Dot, but it has some decent scrambles near the top. This loop also includes a beautiful section of Pumpelly Trail. Sheep laurel and three toothed cinquefoil are blooming. The blueberries are coming. Summer won't slow down. Enjoy it while you can.”
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Trail reports across the Whites this week · Trailhead parking
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25°F
Summit low
Microspikes
Summit lows near 25°F, so expect ice on rock and the upper trail.
10h 52m
Daylight
Headlamp
Sunset around 5:56 PM, so a late start or a slow descent ends in the dark.
The rest of the list: Winter gear guide · How I pick gear
Conditions synthesized from: NWS Higher Summits Forecast, NOAA Open-Meteo, Mount Washington Observatory, NETC Trip Reports, NOHRSC Snow Depth.
Standing in southwestern New Hampshire, this iconic 3,165-foot summit is one of the most climbed mountains in the world, drawing hikers with its relatively accessible elevation and remarkable above-treeline experience. The upper mountain is largely open rocky terrain, offering sweeping 360-degree views that stretch across multiple New England states on clear days, including the Boston skyline to the southeast. Several well-established trails approach the summit, ranging from direct rocky scrambles to more gradual wooded routes, giving hikers options based on fitness and preference. The extensive exposed rock near the top provides a true alpine feel unusual for a peak of this modest height. As a fixture on the 52 With A View list, it rewards visitors with panoramas far exceeding what its elevation might suggest, making it a favorite for both beginners seeking a rewarding challenge and seasoned hikers revisiting a classic New England summit.
Elevation
3,165 ft
Range
Monadnock
Difficulty
Moderate
Coordinates
42.8615, -72.1081
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AI-generated from public data. Always verify conditions before heading out — backcountry weather can change quickly.
3 incidents on file · 2 fatal · drawn from NH Fish and Game releases and regional reporting
20-year-old male from Lancaster, MA
On June 13, 2026, Joshua Luth, 20, of Lancaster, MA, suffered a medical incident while hiking solo on the Cascade Link Trail approximately 0.75 miles from Monadnock State Park Headquarters. Good Samaritans discovered him, called 911, and began CPR as his condition deteriorated. Despite response from numerous agencies, Luth was pronounced deceased; the cause remains under investigation by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.
Two teenage hikers, ages 15 and 18, from Salem, NH; separately, an 81-year-old man hiking with family on Mt. Chocorua
On July 26, 2010, two separate rescues occurred: two teenagers lost near the summit of Mt. Monadnock were located by Conservation Officers several hundred yards west of the Pumpelly Trail around 9:00 p.m., lacking food, water, and flashlights. Separately, an 81-year-old man became fatigued near the summit of Mt. Chocorua while hiking with family and required Conservation Officers with flashlights to assist him and his son down the trail, reaching the trailhead at 12:30 a.m.
59-year-old male from North Berwick, Maine
Thomas Pummer, age 59, died during a moonlit night hike up Mount Monadnock on the Pumpelly Trail in icy, snow-encrusted conditions. He had gone ahead of his four companions and was found unconscious above treeline, approximately 3/4 mile from the summit, at around 2:00 a.m. CPR was unsuccessful and the exact cause of death had not been determined at time of release; his body was carried down the mountain the following morning.