AZ Combo Event: Earth Day Clean Up at Wachusett (May 21, 2005)

[thetrailboss]

Date(s) Hiked: May 21, 2005

Trails(s) Hiked: Various Ski Trails including Hey Mom, Conifer Connection, Balanced Rock, Mass Pike and 10th Mountain Trail (a view up Smith-Walton as well) up Wachusett

Total Distance: Abouot 2-3 miles rt

Difficulty: Easy way to break in the legs

Conditions: Trails were surprisingly DRY with few bugs. Patches of SNOW for us to play in Sunny breaks and temps in the low 50's...perfect day!

Special Required Equipment: Trash Bags, Coupons for Lunch, Gloves, Camera, good sense of humor.

Trip Report: The ski season is over. But that doesn't mean that we can' think ahead to the next. That's why this was a great rite of passage for the ski-hike seasons. Chilemass, Bob R (and his two funny, well-behaved kids ), Ms. Trailboss, and Myself attended the annual Wachusett Earth Day Clean Up and BBQ at the mighty Wachusett in Central Mass. We arrived at 8:45am promptly to find Bob, his kids, and Bill in the parking lot along with a handful of other folks. The mountain was green with some patches of snow on the trails.

After registering and getting our bags and gloves, we began the easy ascent underneath the Minuteman Express Quad. Here we found easier grades, some new clearing underneath the quad, and lots of trash that we removed with some fun and good conversation. The terrain park had a 25-50 yrd horseshoe shaped patch of snow that we played in. I did some nice turns while Bob R and his kids threw snow at each other. "It's so great to see the snow again...makes me feel great!" Bob R said with a We also met another young man who we hope will join us soon in AZ here (Trailboss would not have given a salespitch now would he? ). The terrain park was full of debris, so we cleared it and then cut across the Toll Road, checking out Smith Walton and heading up the final pitch via 10th Mountain Trail under the lift, which was surprisingly clean .

We summited at about 10:15 or so...about 75 mins after our start. Here we had good local views and views into Southern NH. The breeze was brisk so bugs were not an issue. The summit area had lots of hikers (the norm) but no cars (not the norm) which was nice. The view of Monadnock and the Wapack Area was very nice

After some discussion and views, we headed back to the Summit Quad for some photo ops and then down Conifer to Balanced Rock. For skiers/riders: it appears that Wachusett is adding some new snowmaking. Construction was underway and excavation near the summit was evident. Snowmaking lines had been removed and there were stacks of pipes... Good question for the AZ Challenge.

The descent down the Balanced Rock Trail was fun and reminscent of Burke's trails. We hit Lower Conifer and headed to the base for the free BBQ (good burgers) and more good joking around and chatting. We lift the place better than we found it...with vouchers in hand for a day of skiing this coming season...can't wait!

We arrived at the base at 11:30 am...so 2.5 hours of good hiking for a good cause. The weather held as well which was great! Thanks for coming, guys! Pictures coming SOON!!

[Bob R]

Its a ski event--no its a hiking event. Great time. Posted my story in the skiing side.