Wachusett Mountain Princeton, Massachusetts
Today we start our hike from the park service information center, heading south along the Bicentennial Trail. The trail begins with a soft climb through hardwoods and loose rocks. At the Loop Trail the group turns off, switchbacking between birch and hemlock as the trail climbs around boulders. To the south a cloudless sky and the failing colors of autumn can be viewed through the trees. Arriving at the intersection of the Jack Frost Trail we meet our first group of fellow hikers, they heading east as us continue west. Descending along the Jack Frost Trail, our small band of adventurers pass through a hemlock forest that block out the sky. During our trek along this trail, we cross over a couple of cascading brooks means of small footbridges. After missing a turn off, we backtrack a short distance to hike along the Lower Link Trail. Trekking through a wooded wetland, the trail parallels an unseen brook reverberating through the forest. Beech trees continuing to hold onto their yellowing leafs block our view of the moving water. The Lower Link Trail merges into the Harrington Trail. Following this trail for a short distance we climb over the rocky trail before veering off once more, now along the Semuhenna Trail. Continuing northwest for the next hour, the trail climbs 330 feet in elevation. The vegetation changes to birch and white pine with openings that offer some nice views to our west. Crossing the Up Summit Road we take our lunch break at a picnic table just short of the tree line. My mooching lab loves this spot as he gets handouts from our group and others. At one point I have to scold him, as he walks over to another table and sticks his head into a hiker’s daypack. Jokingly the hiker asked if Grady was a narc dog, as he bribes him a piece jerky. After a climb up the steep West Side Trail and traveling southeast along the Old Indian Trail we follow the ridgeline, emerging from the trees near the now still chairlift. With a short climb using stone steps, the group reaches the busy summit of Wachusett Mountain. The 360-degree view from the summit is spectator. To the north, the bald summit of Mount Monadnock rises about the tree line. To the east, the Boston skyline breaks up the horizon. The south offers colorful woodlands as far as the eye can see. Scanning the western skyline the sun is already starting it’s descend, soon to be blocked by Mount Greylock and the Berkshires. We leave the summit to the crowds by way of the Pine Hill Trail, returning once again to the woods. About half way down a strange sound is heard. After passing a group of trail workers repairing the stone steps, a distinctive drumbeat can be heard. By the time we reach the Bicentennial Trail, faint chanting can be heard in cadence to the drum. A perfect hike behind us, on the far side of the parking lot a small band of Native Americans greets us with their final song. Live the Experience!
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With a perfect fall morning, our group
travels west for a trek up Wachusett Mountain. Located in
Princeton, Massachusetts, Wachusett Mountain at 2006’
is the highest point south of the White Mountains and
east of the Connecticut River. Although the northern
slope is designated for skiing, the mountain has several
trails running through the reservation including the Mid-State
Trail. A long distance trail that starts on the
Massachusetts/New Hampshire State line and terminates
where Massachusetts meets Rhode Island.