This year’s hiking adventures have not exactly gone as planned and when my trail sista, Songbird proposed hiking New Hampshire’s MSG Trail, I was eager to get back to my favorite pastime of heading into the forest carrying everything I need to survive in my pack. Although VA is where Songbird lives when not adventuring or organic farming in far flung places, NH is where she grew up and in particular the Sunapee area. We hadn’t backpacked together since CO in 2021, although we do make a habit of day hiking in SC with our friend Sunset on his birthday. Although we keep in touch, I had missed hiking with my fun and compatible trail friend. In addition, there was then the option to add on the Cohos Trail while in the area. A road-trip to New Hampshire was quickly organized and put on the calendar!
The MSG Trail is approximately 48ish miles long and is bookended by each mountain. An additional 2 mile hike on each end is required to get to the respective trailheads. We decided NOBO was our preferred direction and left my vehicle at Sunapee.
The climb up Monadnock was quite the slog with fully loaded packs but the payoff quite spectacular. Evidently some crazy locals make a habit of climbing up to the top on a daily basis and year round!
We hiked 4.5 days, camping at the designated shelters which were appropriately spaced for comfortable daily distances. The trail was well maintained and signed plus a FarOut app available for navigation. We saw only one other backpacker, though often ran into day hikers near trail heads.
Took advantage of an honor system roadside vegetable stand. Songbird settling on a fresh cuke and I, on handfuls of cherry tomatoes. Yum!
Everyone we met was so friendly though we didn’t stop for directions here! Hopefully tongue in cheek signage but we quickly moved on after a chuckle.
Lots of interesting fungi observed!
Oh the things you see on the trail, especially when you slow down and take your time.
The days were hot and always refreshing to get in a swim and to rinse off the trail grime! Center Pond was delicious!
Halfway! Interesting that NH has a fee system using a QR code to pick blueberries in the state forest. We evidently missed that harvest and were told by locals it was a poor year anyway.
We arrived in the quaint hamlet of Washington and headed over to the bustling General Store. We devoured an excellent breakfast, chatted with some fun locals, and purchased minor resupply.
Closing in on the completion. It was a foggy day but incredibly beautiful in its own way.
We did it and of course a celebration was in order!
After a much needed shower at Lake Sunapee State Park we retrieved Songbird’s vehicle at Monadnock. My PCT friend Dillon aka Lobster recently moved from his VA home for a new job in NH and generously hosted us for the night at his Peterborough apartment. So great to reconnect and reminisce about the PCT and whoa, that man can cook up a mean steak dinner.
I had so much fun on this hike with Songbird! Great trail and excellent company! I loved our conversations and her expert take on life’s dilemmas. She always makes me think a little deeper about everything! Hoping further adventures are in our future!
You must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong.” -Sue Fitzmaurice
Hi Nemophilist!
It looks like you are still hiking and contacting with friends!
Thanks for sharing! Stay safe and keep out there! Always your friend John C.