A Sunny-Sunday Hike at Wachusett Mt. Reserve (central-Mass)

 

We had an exceptionally warm and sunny patch of weather last weekend so we went in search of a good hike. Massachusetts has lots of state parks and nature reserves but isn't known for mountainous terrain. The western half of the state does have the Berkshires where the Appalachian Trail crosses through, but heading east towards the coast the topography becomes sandy and mostly level. Most of the state was under-seawater during the ice ages and over time the land was shaped by rambling glaciers. We've checked out a few nearby nature reserves and enjoyed the winter scenery. However, they felt more like walks than the hikes we've become accustomed to in the Northwest. We have both been hankering for some elevation and more strenuous terrain. During the week we looked up some outdoor books at the library and ear-marked hikes specifically labeled "Difficult". Sunday was a beautiful 50+ degree and sunny kind of day. We got up early, packed up the Subaru and steered west of Boston on the Concord Turnpike. In one hours time we found the mountain we were looking for . . .

How happy we were to be in the outdoors again and at the foot of a real trail-head. It's still winter here but temps have been rising into the 40s and today the glorious 50s. There was one big difference between here and the city that we hadn't anticipated. . . Lots of snow on the trail.

Luckily we had our trekking poles stored in the car's roof-rack . . .

Wachusett Mountain has an elevation of 2000 feet (yes, minor by west coast standards) but it is the highest point in Massachusetts between the Connecticut River and the Atlantic Ocean. With 360 degree views at the top, on a clear day it's possible to see Boston's skyline, nearly 60 miles away. 

Though the buds on trees were still fairly dormant, all around we spotted hints of spring materializing on the forest floor . . .

As the day wore on and the sun rose higher in the sky the snow pack loosened up which made the uphill climb even more challenging. . .

It was a real bun-burner!!!

Jack Frost gets his picture taken and points the way to the North Pole.

Hailey loved every minute of the hike and considering how much she trotted back and forth on the trail, she probably hiked twice the distance we did.

She worked up quite a thirst. . . 

When asked if she wanted to have her picture taken she said she was too busy enjoying her water. . . 

Later though she didn't mind posing at the summit.

Now that spring is fast approaching and there's more and more light thanks to daylight savings time, we're looking forward to exploring more of New England, from mountain to sea.

There are more adventures ahead. . . stayed tuned.