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A major ice storm in December 2008 caused severe damage to park trails and facilities and resulted in closure of the park - violators may be ticketed and towed. Park officials plan to clear the White Dot Trail first then others as time allows. See the park website for more information.
The Old Toll Road follows the route of the historic toll road to the former Halfway House hotel, and in conjunction with the White Arrow Trail is one of the most popular routes on the most-climbed mountain in NH, except in winter when a lack of plowed parking can discourage use. The road is gated and vehicles are allowed only for official use or by the residents of a house at the end of the road. While the White Arrow Trail traditionally began at the Halfway House site, present signing (and this description) has it beginning at the end of the gravel portion of the road. You can either walk up the gated road or use the parallel Old Halfway House Trail to reach this point.
Whether to hike the road or the trail is a matter of personal preference based on conditions that particular day. The Parker Trail doesn't connect to the Old Halfway House Trail so Parker Trail users should hike the road.
Distance: From NH Route 124 to White Arrow Trail, about 1.2 miles one-way
From NH Route 124 to summit, about 2.3 miles one-way
Elevation gain: From NH Route 124 to White Arrow Trail, about 500 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
From NH Route 124 to summit, about 1700 feet on the ascent, minor on descent
Maps:
Free park trail map with payment of park fee
USGS Monadnock Mtn 1:25,000 (there is also a Monadnock Mtn 1:24,000 which does not show this area)
AMC Monadnock Mtn
Location: Monadnock Region
NH 2003-2004 map P-4
DeLorme NHA&G 20-F1/2 - Jaffrey
The trail is located on the S side of Monadnock, which is E of Keene
Trailhead:
Parking area N side of NH Route 124 about 5.2 miles W of junction with US Route 202 in Jaffrey, elevation about 1500 feet
State park service fee collected during the warmer months
This parking lot is for daylight use only, cars parked after dark may be ticketed
N 42.8348, -72.1140 W (WGS84)
Take exit 5 off I-89 and follow US Route 202/NH Route 9 about 14.3 miles to split, exit onto US Route 202. After another 25.8 miles to Jaffrey, turn R (W) on NH Route 124 and follow it 5.2 miles to trailhead on R
Upper End: End of gravel about 1.2 miles from NH Route 124, elevation about 2000 feet
Owner: state and others
Maintainer: Monadnock State Park, 603-532-8862
Special regulations: State park, no pets and no fires or camping along trails
From the E end of the parking lot by the toll booth, the Old Toll Road leads uphill through a gate, and almost immediately the Old Halfway House Trail leaves L. The road starts off on the E side of the ridge but soon crosses to the W, and at about .7 miles the Parker Trail leaves R near a culvert. The road continues to angle uphill, and after a mile the private residence is visible in the trees to the R. At 1.1 miles the Cart Path leaves L about opposite the private residence on the R and between a culvert and a utility pole. The trail sign is not at roadside but back in the woods by the trail. The road climbs more steeply for .1 miles to where a gravel driveway angles back to the R to the private residence and the White Arrow Trail continues ahead on the old road, now rocky and eroded. The Old Halfway House Trail enters L just beyond.
Parking area not plowed but you may be able to dig a space. The road may be plowed to the private residence.
Sleds and skis are not allowed
Map Notes: The USGS 7.5' map does not show most of the connecting trails. Use the park or AMC map.
Park trail map (online version)
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