Date(s) Hiked: Sunday, September 13, 2004
Trails(s) Hiked: Wapack and Midstate Trail Loop up Watatic, Wapack Trail South Approach to Kidder Mountain Spur.
Total Distance: Watatic: 3.6 miles. Kidder: 3.2 miles.
Difficulty: Both are easy, but Kidder is easiest. We took Midstate Trail to the top of Nutting Hill and then the Wapack up to Watatic before taking the steeper Wapack trail section back down to the base.
Conditions: Excellent. Both trails were in good shape. No bugs to speak of. Pleasant breeze on Watatic, but a bit warmer on Kidder.
Special Required Equipment: None. Trekking Poles helped :wink:
Trip Report: The GF and I left the greater Boston area and headed back to an old favorite and a new gem. Mount Watatic is a monadnock that rises just south of the NH/MA border on Route 119 and is interesting because it has the remains of the former Mt. Watatic Ski area on its north slopes (the trails are still clear with the lights still on the poles!). This is the southern terminus of the 21-mile Wapack Trail, which runs north over several mountains and ends on North Pack Monadnock. The mountain has two peaks with three trail approaches. We began at the Wapack/Midstate trailhead just off of 119 and ascended the dirt road. At the intersection, we went straight up the road to Nutting Hill where we turned east. The views on Nutting Hill are nice and include Monadnock and Watatic just ahead of you. The grades are pleasant. From Nutting, we followed the Wapack Trail to the top of Watatic, which only took about 20 minutes. The views at the top are great and are beginning to fill in. Walk the 400 feet or so to the second peak for almost 360 degree views. There are always people there watching birds and yesterday we only saw four or five there with their equipment. :blink: In the past, this open rock summit has been crowded with bird fans.
From here, descend the Wapack Trail South down the steep southside of the mountain and back to the parking lot. There is a rundown leantoo on this stretch as well as another ledge with a nice view.
This tour took us only a couple of hours with stops, so we decided to head up 123 to Kidder Mountain in New Ipswich, MA and within sight of Watatic (a mere 3.5 miles away straight as the crow flies). The parking area is off of 123/124 on the north side of the road. The first leg of the trip is on Wapack North and passes through the base of an old ski area (I think) before reentering the woods. At the power lines, turn east onto the Kidder Mountain Spur, which ascends the power line road and then turns to the north. The grades were gradual. It took us a half hour to hike to the summit. There are clear cuts on the trail which have some undergrowth and restricted views.
The summit area is a large, sloped meadow with great views to the E, S, and SW. There is plenty of legroom and a recent clearcut at the summit allows for restricted views to Monadnock.
All in all, a great combo. Watatic is a great short hike and Kidder is a great evening hike or sidetrip. 8) Enjoy!
Trails(s) Hiked: Wapack and Midstate Trail Loop up Watatic, Wapack Trail South Approach to Kidder Mountain Spur.
Total Distance: Watatic: 3.6 miles. Kidder: 3.2 miles.
Difficulty: Both are easy, but Kidder is easiest. We took Midstate Trail to the top of Nutting Hill and then the Wapack up to Watatic before taking the steeper Wapack trail section back down to the base.
Conditions: Excellent. Both trails were in good shape. No bugs to speak of. Pleasant breeze on Watatic, but a bit warmer on Kidder.
Special Required Equipment: None. Trekking Poles helped :wink:
Trip Report: The GF and I left the greater Boston area and headed back to an old favorite and a new gem. Mount Watatic is a monadnock that rises just south of the NH/MA border on Route 119 and is interesting because it has the remains of the former Mt. Watatic Ski area on its north slopes (the trails are still clear with the lights still on the poles!). This is the southern terminus of the 21-mile Wapack Trail, which runs north over several mountains and ends on North Pack Monadnock. The mountain has two peaks with three trail approaches. We began at the Wapack/Midstate trailhead just off of 119 and ascended the dirt road. At the intersection, we went straight up the road to Nutting Hill where we turned east. The views on Nutting Hill are nice and include Monadnock and Watatic just ahead of you. The grades are pleasant. From Nutting, we followed the Wapack Trail to the top of Watatic, which only took about 20 minutes. The views at the top are great and are beginning to fill in. Walk the 400 feet or so to the second peak for almost 360 degree views. There are always people there watching birds and yesterday we only saw four or five there with their equipment. :blink: In the past, this open rock summit has been crowded with bird fans.
From here, descend the Wapack Trail South down the steep southside of the mountain and back to the parking lot. There is a rundown leantoo on this stretch as well as another ledge with a nice view.
This tour took us only a couple of hours with stops, so we decided to head up 123 to Kidder Mountain in New Ipswich, MA and within sight of Watatic (a mere 3.5 miles away straight as the crow flies). The parking area is off of 123/124 on the north side of the road. The first leg of the trip is on Wapack North and passes through the base of an old ski area (I think) before reentering the woods. At the power lines, turn east onto the Kidder Mountain Spur, which ascends the power line road and then turns to the north. The grades were gradual. It took us a half hour to hike to the summit. There are clear cuts on the trail which have some undergrowth and restricted views.
The summit area is a large, sloped meadow with great views to the E, S, and SW. There is plenty of legroom and a recent clearcut at the summit allows for restricted views to Monadnock.
All in all, a great combo. Watatic is a great short hike and Kidder is a great evening hike or sidetrip. 8) Enjoy!
