GET FIT HIKE #2: BURTON & HOLT PEAKS/TEMPLE MOUNTAIN HIKE

Our goal for our second GetFit Hike this time was a few peaks in the Wapack Range: Burton Peak [2,010 ft.], Holt Peak [2,055 ft.] and the Temple Mt. Ledges. It was chilly for this time of year. It was breezy with a high temperature of 50 degrees so we layered up, wore gloves and a wools hats!

Right from the start we started to see trail runners with race numbers on their clothing. We encountered them all day. Some research when I got home discovered that the race was called TARC WAPACK AND BACK with 100 runners participating. The race consists of a 50 mile ultramarathon and an end-to-end trail race run on the 21.5 mile Wapack Trail. We were fine with our 7 mile hike with 1,500 feet elevation gain for today…LOL!

The trail followed and crossed numerous stone walls with numerous outlooks! About 0.5 mile into the hike we reached the open Sharon Ledges which allowed for some views; one was called the Roger Myrick Outlook with stunning views of the Spofford Gap, Kidder Mountain and well as the southern half of the Wapack Range. Our group of ten enjoyed pleasant conversations, catching up since we last met and making new friends during our journey.

This was a GetFit hike so we took our time going up each peak allowing us to get in shape for the upcoming summer hiking season! At about 1.5 miles we reached the summit of Burton Peak with a fine view of Mount Monadnock where we took a group picture. We then bagged Holt Peak at 2.4 miles and continued onward to Temple Mountain Ledges.

Our first stop was to check out these towering cairns off the trail on open ledges. Then we continued a bit further to check out the stones that were arranged into furniture where we had lunch. We took turns sitting in them and they were very comfortable to sit in! 

We retraced our steps back to our vehicles encountering more trail runners along the way and enjoying the views once more. What a fine group of hikers! Thanks to all for a great hike. Nicely done, everyone!

Our second of four GetFit Hikes to get fit for summer hiking! We are taking it up a notch from our last hike with a hike on the Wapack Trail to Burton Peak [2,010'] with panoramic views of Mounts Watatic and Monadnock, Holt Peak [2,055'] and finishing at Temple Mountain Ledges [1,770'] where rock cairns create an otherworldly landscape. The hike is about 7 miles round trip with 1,500 elevation gain. The

There may be a few spots with snow and mud. Temple Mountain ledges offer a great ridge walk with majestic views of neighboring Mount Monadnock and an almost surreal environment of rock ledges decorated with 10-foot-tall rock cairns and chairs constructed from rocks and boulders! 

Wear clothing suitable for exposed ledges and summits...no cotton or blue jeans. Bring along water, lunch, snacks and anything else you may require for a day hike. Join us on this four hour hike in the great outdoors for some fresh air and some much needed camaraderie!