Ted’s
Trail, Cliff Trail, Wapak Trail, and Carolyn’s Trail at Wapack National Wildlife Refuge in Greenfield, New Hampshire is a moderate 6.6-mile loop hike featuring stunning views of the Monadnock region.
Trail head Location: Old Mountain Road, Greenfield NH
Trail name(s): Ted’s Trail, Cliff Trail, Wapak Trail and Carolyn’s Trail
Allowed activities: hiking, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, birding, geocaching, berry picking is allowed on the Wapak trail only,
Forbidden activities: No fires, No hunting, No fishing, No camping, No trapping, No motorized vehicles, No horseback riding, No mountain biking
Hours: Trails are open daily during daylight hours
Parking: There is limited street side parking as well as limited lot parking across the street from the trailhead.
Pets: Dogs are allowed on the trails as long as they are leashed and waste is carried out with the hiker.
Accessibility: The trails here are not wheelchair accessible or stroller friendly. There are plenty footing hazards along the trails that are typical for a mountain trail: tree roots, leaf litter, rocks, mud, rock scrambles, and tree debris. Hikers should be able to traverse, hilly and sometimes steep terrain. There are wooden bridges, and also wooden planks placed along the trail to assist hikers over streams or muddy or marshy areas.
Sanitation: There are no restrooms or trash bins. Please carry out any waste.
Trail information: The trail blaze markers along Ted’s Trail and Carolyn’s trail are yellow rectangles. The trail blaze marker along Cliff Trail is a Blue triangle. The trail blaze marker on the Wapak Trail is yellow triangle. There is a posted map at the trail head across from the parking area. Hikers can print a map before heading out by going to the link below. The map is on page 2 of the downloadable guide.
https://www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Wapack_TrailGuide_Color.pdf
Length and features: This hike on Ted’s Trail, Cliff Trail, Wapak Trail and Carolyn’s trail is a moderate to hard 6.6 mile trek done as a “loop” hike. North Pack Monadnock is part of the Wapak National Wildlife Refuge which was New Hampshire’s very first wildlife refuge. The Wapack National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972 thanks to a generous donation made by Laurence and Lorna Marshall. The refuge is 1,672-acres and includes 2,278 ft. North Pack Monadnock Mountain which is 2,278 feet high.
A short distance from the trail head, the hike begins as visitors cross over wooden planks spanning a muddy area into a forest pathway. The trail leads to a stream that is easily crossed by using the sturdy wooden bridge that spans the water. The forest here has many mature Hemlock, Birch and Beech trees creating a canopy from the summer sun and a pleasant forest walk. The trail leads hikers through an old rock wall to a sign posted by the Wapak National Wildlife Refuge. This large information Kiosk posted gives information about the refuge and also a trail map. The trails are well traveled and well-marked. The trail will lead to another wooden bridge to make crossing the stream easy. Not too far from the Wapak sign, Hikers will notice a change in the trees to a Pine forest. There is a bench to sit and rest if need be. The trail continues on to a rocky section with another wooden bridge bringing hiker’s right to and over a small, but beautiful waterfall. Ted’s Trail will then lead visitors to a steady uphill climb that will closely follow along this stream. The trail will continue to become rockier and will continue its incline. The trail crosses by several rocky outcroppings with lovely viewpoints. Trail blaze marker and rock cairns will guide all hikers in the right direction. Ted’s trail terminates at the intersection of Cliff trail, there is a sign marking the spot with great views of Pack Monadnock to the South. From this spot, the Cliff trail descends steeply and hikers will need to use caution on the rocks. The trail blaze marker for the Cliff trail is a Blue triangle. The trail meanders through a hemlock forest and intersects with the Wapak Trail. Taking the Wapak Trail to the right, with its yellow triangle trail blaze markers will enable hikers to reach the summit of North Pack Monadnock. There is a sign that points the way at this junction. Hemlock, Spruce and Blueberry bushes can be found in abundance leading to the summit of North Pack Monadnock. The summit is well marked with a huge rock cairn (N 42 53.209 W 71 49.736) and is itself flat and rocky. It’s a great place to stop for a snack or lunch while taking in the views of Mount Monadnock, or searching for a hidden geocache. From the summit, Carolyn’s trail will begin the steady descent down the mountain. There are sections of rock to cross, but none are too steep. The decline is mostly through forested trail but at the base there is a marsh section where a wooden plank path will help traverse the wetter sections of the trail. There is another bench for resting in this area. From this spot the trail is mostly flat and easy and will lead to another Wapak sign and then back to Ted’s Trail and back to the trailhead.
For more information about the Wapak Refuge, please visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Wapack/ or call 978-465-5753.
