Mt. Wachusett 2/12

Date(s) Hiked:2/12 today.

Trails(s) Hiked:Ascend via Echo Lake Trail/ High Meadow Trail/Jack Frost Trail to summit. Descend via Harrington Trail/ Lower Link Trail/ Jack Frost Trail/ High Meadow Trail/Echo lake trail.

Total Distance:Aprox. 3 miles.

Difficulty:Easy to moderate

Conditions:Some snow, some ice, some bear spots.

Special Required Equipment:Ice Stabilizers could have been used but bear booting was easy enough, Wind Proof Jacket.

Trip Report:Decided to stay some what local. I have wanted to go back to he whites or hike something more substantial, but time has not been on my side. Decided to hike Wachusett Mt.. I have done this hike 4 or 5 different times but never in the winter. Actually after hiking it today I would have to say that it is 100 times better in the winter. NO CROWDS!!!!!!! Echo Lake trail was relatively easy, high Meadow trail was really unique, as the name suggests it goes through a small meadow after coming out of the woods. Trails where all well marked, and there where actually maps at the gate of the trail head!

Start time was 8:30ish, reached the summit by 10. Hung out there for a while and was back at my car by noon time. Just a nice walk in the woods. Highly recomended!

Pics are here!

Trail Head


High Meadow Trail Sign


High Meadow, on the Ascent


Summit Photo


Second Summit Photo


Mid-State Trail Sign at summit


Upper Meadow Trail descending into the Meadow


COBOL Blue Sky

Oh man, When I lived in CMASS I used to hike this bad boy all the time. I hiked it so many times I stopped keeping track Never did every variation of the trails, but came close. I used to hike Mountain house barefoot, backwards, you name it 8)

I still call it "Monadnock Jr" as there are quite a few similarities (except no bald top)

MarcHowes said:

I still call it "Monadnock Jr" as there are quite a few similarities (except no bald top)

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Yeah but without the crowds of Monadnock, (well not as bad anyways)!

Oh believe me, Wachusett gets crowded especially with the auto road. but like everything with Wachusett its "Junior sized" compared to Monadnock I have had it to myself a few times tho, but then again the same is true with Monadnock...

MarcHowes said:

Oh believe me, Wachusett gets crowded especially with the auto road. but like everything with Wachusett its "Junior sized" compared to Monadnock I have had it to myself a few times tho, but then again the same is true with Monadnock...

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Yeah deffinatly Jr. sized compared to Manadnock, speaking of which that is another one that I have not done in the winter yet, maybe that will be next.....