CIVILIZED HIKING: Mt. Wachusett Finale (Mt. Wachusett State Reservation)

Tuesday, June 14, 2022

Mt. Wachusett Finale (Mt. Wachusett State Reservation)

Hike Type: Figure 8 Loop-ish
Distance: 7.01 miles
Elevation: 1831 feet
Time: 3 hours, 17 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Wachusett Mountain Redliner

The Hike

Time to finish hiking all the trails in Mt. Wachusett State Reservation! The Wachusett Hikers Facebook group has four pre-planned hikes that cover all the trails. I have already done hikes #2 and #3 from that selection, and today I was combining #1 and #4 to make a longer hike and connect the final dots. I bolted out of school, stopped at my new favorite Cumberland Farms in Leominster, and parked at the Bolton Pond Trail trailhead. From the parking lot, I got a preview of the Mountain Laurel that was in full bloom!

The Bolton Pond Trail was easy with a few short inclines, and blue-blazed like apparently half the trails on this mountain. The pond itself was buggy but pretty, and the trail terminated at Balance Rock, appropriately named after the two boulders that are stacked ontop of each other. I turned left onto the Balance Rock Trail, which ran concurrently with the Midstate Trail, to the ski area parking lot, which felt like a desolate wasteland (but in the cool way). I walked around the pond, saw one person on their laptop, and headed towards the ski slopes. The Donbrowo Trail starts at the top of the magic carpet hill, which there seems to be a footpath (even if it felt wrong). The Donbrowo trail was relatively featureless, it just climbed the hill gently. There was one old chimney/fireplace, but aside from that it was just a trail in the woods. This trail terminated at the auto road toll area.

There was a short walk along the auto road that led to Park Headquarters, which is where the bicentennial trail starts. The Bicentennial Trail is a fascinating one. The first section is well-landscaped and manicured, with crushed gravel and new stone steps throughout. The second section is literally just a long pile of rocks that you do not want to fall on (or in), and the third section is a classic trail in the woods. I passed the junctions with the Pine Hill Trail and Loop Trails, but I would see them soon enough. At the junction with the mountain house trail, I hiked to the parking lot, then hiked to the High Meadow Trail, and finally headed up the Mountain House Trail. The baby squirrels and chipmunks were out and about and FEARLESS. Which was equally exciting and unsettling.

The Mountain House Trail got my heart pumping! Visually, it was an interesting trail. Very wide, like an old road, but rock slabby. Kind of like a lava flow? It was cool! I thought about heading right to the top, but decided to save my legs and keep with the plan, so I headed down the Loop Trail to re-join the Bicentennial Trail. The Loop Trail was nothing to write home about - a little rock with a gradual descent. There was a great view of Worcester which was a welcomed surprise!

The final challenge of this hike was the Pine Hill Trail. It started off as a nicely manicured stone staircase, but..... it never stopped being a stone staircase. What started off as a nice gentle surprise slowly became the bane of my entire existence. People have described Mt. Tecumseh as the "stairmaster from hell" but the Pine Hill Trail up Mt. Wachusett takes that title EASILY. I was fighting for my life. I was truly at my most dramatic. Either way, it was a quick way up and before I knew it, I was enjoying the views from the summit. I love getting to see Mt. Monadnock, but I wish the radio tower wasn't there in the way. Oh well! I rested for a little bit, but the summit area was getting busier with sunset hikers, which I took as my cue to head back down.

The trip down was quick and easy, minus having to pass some "enthusiastic" children. Took the Old Indian Trail for its entierty. It was a little steep towards the top, but quickly mellowed out. The best part of this trail was crossing the ski area. Very cute and unique views. The Old Indian Trail terminated at the Balance Rock Trail, and the Bolton Pond Trail was right after that. I was back to the car in the blink of an eye! My legs were tired, but I loved this hike and my challenge was officially complete! I will definitely be back to Mt. Wachusett, though.

Step-By-Step

Park at Bolton Pond Trailhead.
Hike Bolton Pond Trail to terminus, turn left onto Balance Rock Trail.
Hike Balance Rock Trail to terminus at Ski Area.
Walk along buildings at Ski Area, loop around the pond, walk the hill next to the magic carpet tube to the Donbrowo Trail.
Hike Donbrowo Trail to its terminus at Auto Road Toll Area.
Walk along auto road towards Park Headquarters.
At Park Headquarters, enter Bicentennial Trail.
At junction with Pine Hill trail, continue on Bicentennial Trail.
At junction with Loop Trail, continue Bicentennial Trail.
At junction with Mountain House Trail, turn left, hike to parking lot, and return.
Back at the same junction, turn left to rejoin the Bicentennial Trail.
Hike Bicentennial Trail to its terminus at High Meadow Trail, turn around.
Back at the same junction, turn left to ascent Mountain House Trail.
At junction, turn right to descend Loop Trail.
At terminus, turn left to re-join the Bicentennial Trail towards Pine Hill Trail.
At junction with Pine Hill Trail, turn left to summit Mt. Wachusett via Pine Hill Trail.
At summit, enter Old Indian Trail and hike to its terminus.
At terminus, enter the Balance Rock Trail and at the rock, turn left onto the Bolton Pond Trail.
Hike to its terminus at the parking area.