Our journey with five clients from Blackstone Valley Outfitters is Wachusett Mountain . Wachusett is the Algonquin tribe word for the 'The Great Hill' but geologically speaking Wachusett Mountain is a monadnock, the Native American word for mountain that stands alone. At 2,006 feet above sea level it is the highest mountain in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River.

With a clear blue sky, we arrive at the park service's information building and find several groups of hikers thinking the same thing; What a day for a hike. Starting our trek by crossing a small brook along the Bi-centennial Trail, we soon navigate from this trail and start our assent of Wachusett Mountain by the Pine Hill Trail. The Pine Hill Trail is the shortest route up the mountain. This makes it one of the most climbed trails on the mountain; problem is, from the heavy traffic on the trail the snow has been packed down to large patches of ice. Taking our time, the group works their way up the ice covered rock. Arriving at the summit by 10:30 in the morning the clouds are just starting to move in. Enjoying the landscape, a panorama view of Mount Monadnock to our north and the Boston Skyline peaking above the horizon to the east is offered. Talking to the group I change our itinerary and decide to hike along trails that are on the southwest side of the mountain hoping for less ice.

After a short descent along the Old Indian Trail we cross the top of the ski slope were people are getting off the chairlift. Stopping, we watch skiers and boarders glide down the mountain before we disappear into the woods. The Old Indian Trail offers better footing as it follows a sloping ridge through a hemlock and birch forest. During our climb down a carving of the trail name is found in the rock. At the junction with the West Side Trail, we leave the Old Indian and continue along the West Side Trail. This trail takes us through a frozen wetland till we come out onto the Up Summit Road . Stopping here for lunch a group of AMC hikers pass by. Several hikers make comments about Grady and his dog pack but a few from the back of the group call out, 'Hey it's Blackstone Valley Outfitters!' They stopped to pet Grady and to let us know that they have attended a store compass clinic and paddled with us on the Blackstone River. It's great to meet folks that have gone out with us enjoying the outdoors.

Heading south along the Semuhenna Trail the sky is blocked out by the hemlock and mountain laurel. We follow a meandering course through the woods using the Harrington Trail, the Administration Road and the Jack Frost Trail. Stopping at a cascading brook, we look upwards through the dark trees to follow the rocky climb of the trail. The air is thick with the earthy smell of evergreen and decomposing trees. During our assent to the top of the ridge the trail comes to an end and after a short backtrack Evan spots the blaze I have missed. Resting at the top, we live the old saying 'What goes up most come down.' Crossing the ridge the group descends along the boulder field of the Loop Trail. The trail offers scenic views through the trees and a glimpse of Mountain road down below. The Loop Trail merges into the Bi-centennial Trail which follows Mountain Road . The trail is once more covered with ice and from their concentration of foot placement, the trail weary are surprised as they cross the bridge into the parking lot.