Super warm autumn day, around 78F at the base! The hike was great—still getting used to pulling up my mask whenever I pass people on the trail. Surprised to see only about 60% of people reciprocated. I spent a lot longer than usual hanging out at the summit—around 40 minutes. It was just so unbelievably nice, I didn't want to leave.

Initially a bit easier than I was expecting, but Mt Field to Mt Willey was harder than expected and the walk back down was very tiring on my sore feet. I also had a stomach ache most of the hike, which was unusual. About 50% of people I passed had masked they covered their faces with as I passed. On the way back, I passed two young girls and a young guy wearing a GORUCK bag like mine. I said nice bag as I passed and he laughed when he saw mine. Shortly after, I noticed the mountain birds and decided to feed them from my hand. I waited a few mins for the three kids I passed to catch up and showed them how to do it. They were amazed. It felt good passing on the knowledge and I’m sure it’s an experience they’ll both remember and tell others. The weather was nice, a little warm in the 60s and 70s but overcast so that kept the direct sun away. I was surprised how few bugs there were, and another I passed on the trail commented on the same thing.

Fantastic hike. The views were absolutely incredible. I started the hike a bit late but brought a headlamp with spare batteries. Hiked up in 2.5 hours and back down in 1.5 hours. The last 45 minutes were in the dark.

A nice solo hike on hot and beautiful day. I expected the trail to be more packed than it was given the weather and location, but I only passed a little over a dozen people on the way up and there were only about a dozen people at the top. Parts of the trail were much cooler than the air, the views of Lafayette and Lincoln ridge were amazing, as were the views South down I-93 and North towards Vermont Canada. I stopped several times to soak in the immense beauty and even heard two song birds singing in unison, their calls echoing across the valley. Refilled my water at the Cannon Mt. lodge at the top where visitors who came up via the tram were also walking around.

Solo hike on Marlboro Trail to Mt Monadnock, return via Smith Summit Tr., stopping at Monte Rosa, then Great Pasture Tr. back to Marlboro Tr. in Jaffrey, NH, USA.

Beautiful 70-80F partly cloudy day. The Marlboro trail was much more quiet than the usual way up Mt Monadnock and I passed only one person on the Smith Summit and Great Pasture Trails, despite there being nearly 100 people on the summit!