Since Isaac didn’t get to go skiing, we took him out to hike Gap Mountain. Sunday was one of the few proper cold fall days we have had. Needle ice poked up all along the trail. The rock overhang that usually seeps, had long icicles. We hiked the Metacomet Monadnock trail from the north which meant we spent almost the entire hike in the shade. One day before solstice, the sun could barely get over little Gap Mountain.

Isaac surveying the ice needles.

Previous years, in late fall before it snows, we had issues keeping Isaac warm enough in the pack where he couldn’t wiggle, 2014, 2013. This year, Isaac did all the hiking, and Tyson and I were the cold ones. Tyson didn’t even want to stop for lunch. I found a sunny spot near the top where we stopped for long enough to feed Isaac a reasonable lunch.

Monadnock viewed from Gap

At the top of Gap, we looked north to Mt Monadnock. Isaac excitedly declared he wanted to hike that mountain. We had to be the voice of reason and say, no, not today, and probably not until next year when he’ll be stronger.

Tired Isaac

We met a few other people out on the trail. One group had a dog that sniffed out the granola bar in Isaac’s hand and thought it was a treat she could take. They passed us again going down and Isaac pointed out the dog and explained he had no more granola bar for her to steal.

By the time we got back to the parking lot, Isaac was so tired he laid down on the ground and rested while we packed up the car.

2.4 miles total.