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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 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. It starts near the site of the old Halfway House hotel and uses most of the original trail to the summit of Monadnock, so you are walking in the footsteps of history. Unfortunately a century and a half of history has left a trail worn down to rock most of the way below treeline. Above treeline, the route is mostly on large rock slabs with varying degrees of steepness.
Because the Halfway House served as a base for trail builders, there are many branch trails in this area. The White Arrow Trail receives by far the most use and is the easiest to follow, while the others may require more care and provide a less crowded experience.
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 road. You can either walk up the gated road or use the parallel Old Halfway House Trail to reach this point.
Distance: From end of Old Toll Road to summit, about 1.1 miles one-way
From NH Route 124 to summit, about 2.3 miles one-way
Elevation gain: From end of Old Toll Road to summit, about 1200 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-F2 - Jaffrey
The trail is located on the S side of Monadnock, which is E of Keene
Lower End: End of gravel Old Toll Road about 1.2 miles from NH Route 124, elevation about 2000 feet
Far End: Summit of Monadnock Mtn, elevation about 3165 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 end of the Old Toll Road, the White Arrow Trail enters the woods on a wide rocky eroded road, and soon the Old Halfway House Trail enters from the L providing an alternate route from NH Route 124. After about .1 miles, the trail enters a clearing which was the site of the Halfway House hotel. To the R at the S end of the clearing is the starting point of the Hello Rock, Point Surprise, and Thoreau Trails. Ahead to the R at the N end of the clearing is the starting point of the Do Drop, Noble, Hedgehog, and Sidefoot Trails. The trails to the R all provide longer and less-travelled routes to the summit.
The White Arrow Trail continues ahead on the old road and at .3 miles two trails fork L to Monte Rosa where the road angles R. The gradient soon becomes steeper and the trail narrower and more eroded. After a steeper and rockier pitch at .7 miles, the Amphitheater Trail crosses although the marking on the rock is only for the Sidefoot Trail which rejoins from the R along this path. The White Arrow trail crosses a shallow dip which may be wet and soon starts up the first of the angled rock slabs which continue to the summit. The trail soon breaks out above treeline with views back behind, and alternates moderate going with a couple of steep pitches up rock gullies. Atop the last gully, the trail bears sharp R and joins the Marlboro and Dublin Trails for the last pitch to the summit, which is reached at 1.1 miles. This is obviously not a good place to be in a thunderstorm or if the rock is slippery. The summit itself has a survey marker, the foundation of a former fire lookout, and plenty of bare rock to enjoy your lunch.
On the descent, remember there are trails in several directions and the White Arrow Trail starts off nearly NW in conjunction with the Marlboro and Dublin Trails before suddenly turning sharp L after less than 100 yards to descend the gully. (The Smith Summit Trail also turns off here but is probably too obscure to be noticed.) Park records show that 95% of hiking accidents occur on the way down so watch your step.
The trail can be hard to find on the ledges when snow and ice cover the blazes, and can be very icy after a thaw-freeze cycle.
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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