Friends of the Wapack -
Frequently asked Questions

We'll be posting more FAQs. If you have a question that is not answered here, please email us at info@wapack.org. Thank you!

Camping on the Wapack Trail

The Wapack Trail is primarily a day-use footpath. There are a few primitive shelters, and some tenting areas, about at the halfway point, on the property of Windblown Ski Touring, on Rte. 124 in New Ipswich. To camp there, you have to make a reservation with the landowner, and pay a small fee. The landowner is Al Jenks (603-878-2869). Al is a great supporter of the Trail and the Friends of the Wapack.

See: http://www.windblownxc.com/
and especially: http://www.windblownxc.com/Pages/wapack.html

Camping is not allowed officially in any other place along the Wapack Trail. Much of the land the Trail crosses is private land. Most Wapack landowners do not permit fires, camping, etc. We pride ourselves on our excellent relationships with Trail landowners.

Unfortunately, some hikers do not abide by the usual Trail courtesies. Wapack work crews have had to clean up and disassemble fire rings and other structures cobbled together by illegal campers in various locations along the Trail. Historic stone walls have even been disassembled to build fire pits! We mention this because it shows what some of our landowners are up against, and why some are wary of campers.

There was an old very tumbledown "shelter" on the south face of Mt. Watatic (near the summit) for several years, but it was increasingly trashed by party-ers, and was torn down in conjunction with the (now-defunct) tower-building project on Watatic. We mention this only because the shelter is listed in some old hiking guides and trail references.

Some Wapack hikers choose to leave a car at a more-or-less halfway point (such as on Rte. 124 near Windblown), drive over to stay at Monadnock State Park campground in nearby Jaffrey (603-532-8862), and resume their hike the next day. Other options include staying at one of the privately owned campgrounds and several bed-and-breakfasts and inns in the region. Check the yellow pages, or listings on the www: http://www.bnbassociations.com/nh_1566_62500.html

End-to-Ender

Once or twice each year, a small group of intrepid Wapack hikers does the famous "end-to-ender" of the Trail -- the whole Trail, one way, in one day. Check our calendar page for the next hike, contact Tom Brumaghim (603-878-6167) for details and plans for future end-to-enders.

Dogs on the Wapack Trail

The Wapack Trail is composed of a "patchwork" of ownership/management -- state, federal, private. For the protection, safety and comfort of other hikers, the protection of wildlife, and simple courtesy, all dogs should be under leash control at all times when on or near the Trail. Some parts of the Trail may restrict dogs entirely, or place other controls on their presence or activities. If you plan to hike with your dog, contact the responsible agencies to learn their current policies on dogs.

The northern part of the Trail, The Wapack National Wildlife Refuge, is managed by the Great Bay National Wildlife Refuge. Dogs are allowed, but must be on leash at all times. Contact is:

Parker River National Wildlife Refuge
Graham Taylor - Refuge Manager
6 Plum Island Turnpike
Newburyport, MA 01950
978-465-5753
graham_taylor@fws.gov

Between North and South Pack is the Joanne Bass Bross Preserve, owned and managed by The Nature Conservancy. A very small part of the Trail runs through the Bross Preserve. For information on Preserve rules, call the NH Chapter of The Nature Conservancy in Concord: 603-224-5853.

The area around South Pack Monadnock Mountain is part of Miller State Park, managed by the State of NH. Dogs are permitted, but must be on leash at all times. There is an on-site park manager during the summer months. For details, call miller State Park directly (603-924-3672) or State Parks Headquarters in Concord (603-271-3556).

Continuing South is the Temple Mountain State Reservation, formerly Temple Mt. Ski Area. Dogs are permitted, but must be on leash at all times.

In New Ipswich, the Trail runs through several tracts of privately owned land. Call the landowners for their policies on dogs on their property. Major landowners include:

Hampshire Country School: (603-899-3325).
Windblown Cross Country Ski Area: Owner is Al Jenks (603-878-2869).

The area around Binney Pond in New Ipswich is a NH State Forest. Call the NH Dept. of Fish & Game (Public Affairs Dept., Concord: 603-271-3211; Region 4 Office, Keene: 603-352-9669) for their current policies.

Near the summit of Mt. Watatic, at the southern end of the Trail, is the Watatic Mountain Wildlife Area, owned and managed by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. The summit of Watatic and some surrounding land is owned by Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management (DEM), Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, the Ashby Land Trust and the Ashburnham, Conservation Trust. There are no regulations excluding dogs from the Watatic Mountain Wildlife Sanctuary or other Mass. Wildlife properties. Courtesy and common sense should be applied by dog owners with respect to other trail/property users and the wildlife inhabiting the area. Contact the MA DFW for their current policies on dogs.

Bill Davis, District Wildlife Manager
Central Wildlife District
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
Temple St.
West Boylston MA 01583
508-835-3607; Fax: 508-792-7420
Bill.Davis@state.ma.us

Much of the rest of the Trail is privately owned, and/or managed under Trail easements (under NH Municipal Trails Act provisions) held by the towns through which the Trail passes. Some landowners own fairly large parcels and discourage many kinds of activities on their lands. The wishes of private landowners should always be respected, insofar as they are known. If they are not known, a conservative (and courteous) approach is called for.

We at Friends of the Wapack are dedicated to preserving and enhancing our ongoing relationships with all our Trail landowners. Therefore, we ask that you be extremely conservative and courteous in all your uses of the Trail, and in your decision to hike with your dog.

Play it Safe

Hiking with your dog is fun -- and good exercise for both of you. But if Rover's been lazing around for months, his only exercise a stroll to the food bowl and a brief daily walk, don't just strap a doggy-pack on him and expect him to scale mountains. Take it slow! Start with short excursions around the neighborhood before tackling the Wapack.

Before taking your dog on any outdoor excursion, including a walk on the Wapack, make sure he's welcome. Wherever you're headed outdoors with your dog or other companion animal, always call ahead to the appropriate federal, state or local government agency, or landowner, to make sure your animal is welcome. For your animal's safety, and the health and safety of wildlife and other visitors, always be prepared to keep your pet leashed at all times.

Come prepared to clean up after your dog. Bring a pooper-scooper and supply of plastic bags.

Always be sure your dog is welcome before you go. Never leave your dog in a parked vehicle while you hike. Temperatures in a closed vehicle can soar to dangerous levels quickly, even with the windows partially opened.

Never count on finding safe, drinkable water on any trail, including the Wapack. Always carry plenty of fresh water for both you and your dog. Take frequent water breaks to make sure you and he stay properly hydrated. Watch for hot surfaces (like exposed rocky ledges) that can cause painful burns to sensitive paw pads. After your hike, inspect your dog's paw pads for injuries, and check him thoroughly for ticks.

Hiking with your dog elsewhere in the Monadnock region

Monadnock State Park (603-532-8862): No dogs allowed at any time on trails or in Park.

Greenfield State Park (603-547-3497): Day use: no dogs allowed. Campground: Dogs must be on leash at all times, and never left unattended in any vehicle, campsite or other location.

Mountain bikes and other wheeled vehicles

The Wapack Trail is a footpath. It is not appropriate for use by wheeled or motorized vehicles of any kind. The tread way is fragile and easily damaged by wheels of any kind. Damage made in a moment can last for years, causing severe erosion and serious damage to fragile plant and animal species. Most, if not all, of the federal and state agencies, and private landowners who own the Trail land, do not permit wheeled vehicles to traverse the Trail across their lands. Please respect their wishes, and respect this historic, fragile Trail's integrity as a footpath.

Walk softly. Listen. Observe. Carry out everything you carry in. Take only pictures -- and your memories.