Mt. Wachusett via West Side, Semu., Jack, Harrington (Wachusett Mountain State Reservation)
Hike Type: Spaghetti Loop
Distance: 6.42 miles
Elevation: 1608 feet
Time: 3 hours, 40 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge; Wachusett Trail Tracer
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge; Wachusett Trail Tracer
The Hike
Didn't think I would be back at Wachusett so soon, but the weather looked nice and I'm patch hungry (even though I technically already got this patch, the creator made a new version that replaces "Redliner" with "Trail Tracer" - but I decided I need to earn it). It was going to be a chilly morning, also I love my bed, so I only set my alarm for 7:00am, made my way out, stopped at the Leominster Cumberland Farms for breakfast and bathroom, dodged nice potholes getting to the trailhead, and got hiking just before 9:00am. I went back and forth on what to wear for layers, and I eventually landed on tech pants, t-shirt, fleece zip up, and wind breaker, which ended up working well for me. Waterproof winter boots were on, and they were SMELLY from my last hike, thankfully, I needed these boots toady so I made the right choice of being brave. I only wish that I had worn a long-sleeve base layer instead of a t-shirt becuase my elbows got cold when I was just in the T - my new rule is going to be if the feels like is below 32 then it's long sleeve time.
The mountain let me know it was going to be a windy day RIGHT away, but thankfully the West Side Trail was well-sheltered. I love the West Side Trail - it's pretty secluded and off-the-beaten-path, it's scenic, challenging but forgiving, and has a variety of terrain. As I expected, the trail was literally a stream, except for when it was still frozen. There were some old blazes, but thankfully the footbed was well-defined. The woods were beautiful! The further I traveled the more patches of hard/icy snow I came across, and I was delighted to see that the steepest climb was fully defrosted. I really procrastinated putting my spikes on, but there was a second steep climb that required them. There are two open areas marked with cairns (apparently marking the Princeton/Westminster town lines) that don't offer any views but do offer some much-needed lizard time in the sun. The winds were still howling, but the sun felt amazing. There were seasonal views of the summit cone as I continued, and eventually I made my way to the hot mess that is the Semuhenna Trail!
I remembered the upper part of this trail being a literal swamp last time I hiked it, and not much has changed! This trail truly had every trail condition imaginable - hard-packed snow, sheer ice, dry dirt, deep mud, streams, slush, and some wild combinations. My spikes stayed on for the whole trail, and were useful for 80% of it. I realized the upper part parallels Ralph's Run - the blue trail that I was skiing on the other weeked! That was fun for me to connect these dots - you can hear the chairlift and see the skiiers through the trees. I passed a group in rain boots going for a casual hike with friends... I worried for them. I made my way to the terminus at the Old Indian Trail, turned around, and slugged my way back up. The steepest part required spikes, and I was thrilled to have them. I passed the rain boot crew at the top of this climb, and I got complimented on having spikes, jokingly asked to share, and then as I walked away one guy goes "man look how easy it is for him!" - I ususally hate attention, but I apprecaited this! Right before crossing the summit road I noticed some moose tracks in the snow.
Back at the West Side/Semuhenna junction, I now continued on and hiked the rest of the Semuhenna Trial. I passed a couple girls sitting on a bench on a smoke break... which is always interesting. My spikes were on and off a couple times here as the trail altered between all of the aformentioned trail conditions. Spikes went on, off, on, and back off again as I made my way up Harrington to the Link Trail - there was significant snowmelt since my hike on Wednesday. I also got commented on for wearing a t-shit in the wind - I'm a sweaty guy!
I truly found the wind once on the Jack Frost Trial - which is an absolutely beautiful trail. I put the windbreaker on, and realized that it's the same shade of blue as my pants... I'm a blueberry. When I hit the junction with High Meadow Trial, I turned left to hike down to the High Meadow 1) for the view and 2) becuase I still needed this stretch of trail. This descend was steep and I was NOT looking forward to coming back up. There were lovely seasonal views through the trees, and of course the view from High Meadow was delightful. The climb back up was slow, but truly not awful.
Back up at the Jack Frost/High Meadow Junction, I realized all the clouds have disappeared and continued my hike along Jack Frost. I was delighted to see that the steep steep section of Jack Frost was 90% snow and ice free, and the parts that weren't were completely avoidable. I also realized that my frozen butt sweat was stinging my butt skin... oh well. I gave myself a wedgie and moved on with life. The lower stretch of Jack Frost was uneventful and narrow through the Mountain Laurel, and the Lower Link Trail was abysmal. Some areas had at least 8" of standing water. I think I maybe walked 10' on the actual trail. The rest was parallel hiking in the woods or along herd paths. I don't remember it being THIS awful, so maybe it's just a spring runoff issue? I knew I was getting close to Harrington when I heard children (gross), but thankfully that was a group descending so we crossed paths and never saw each other agian.
The final climb up Harrington was tough, but fun! The terrain reminds me of the Mt. Tammany climb - few easy scrambles, lot of elevation in a short distance. There is a great spot for a break and a view below the summit road crossing. It was getting colder and windier the higher up I hiked, but thankfully my furnace of a body kept me going no problem.
The summit was not crowded (no surprise) likely due to the wind, and the views were CRYSTAL clear, specifically of Monadnock. I wish they put the transmission towers on the opposite side of the fire tower, the view would be amazing without them in the way! I took a few photos but quickly moved on with my hike to preserve what was left my internal body temperature.
I descended Old Indian, which skirted the unloading area of the summit chair lift. Some skiiers dropped their skis to hike to the top which was fun. Old Indian was still VERY snowy and spikes were mandatory, especially in the steeper spots. I only passed a few people here, and a few of them were carrying their own skis! It got a little sketchy toward the junction with West Side, but my spikes worked great.
The final stretch of the West Side Trail that I have not hiked was another disaster that was either frozen solid or a riverbed, but I made it through! One short steep descend was actually a waterfall, which was nice I guess? I was grateful that the snow and ice filled in a lot of the gaps between rocks in this area. My final descent via West Side was quick and easy - I was glad I made note of when my spikes were on and off so I knew when I needed them. This was a great hike, and I was now looking forward to my Cumbies Empanata! Also, apparently I parked like an a-hole, whoops!
Step-By-Step
- Park at West Side Trail Trailhead.
- Begin hike on West Side Trail.
- Turn left onto Semuhenna Trail.
- At terminus with Old Indian Trail, turn around.
- At junction with West Side Trail, continue on Semuhenna Trail.
- At terminus, turn left onto Harrington Trail.
- At next junction, turn right onto Link Trail.
- At terminus, turn right onto Mountain House.
- At next junction, turn right onto Jack Frost Trail.
- At next junction, turn left onto High Meadow Trail.
- At junction with Bicentennial Trial, turn around and retrace steps.
- At terminus, turn left onto Jack Frost Trail.
- At junction with Lower Link Trail, turn left to continue on Jack Frost Trail.
- At terminus, turn around.
- At junction with Lower Link Trail, continue straight onto Lower Link Trail.
- At terminus, turn right onto Harrington Trail.
- Follow Harrington Trail to summit.
- Descend via Old Indian Trail.
- At junction with West Side Trail, turn left onto West Side Trail.
- Follow West Side Trail back to car.
"Jack Frost Trail" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th, Ed. (2021)
This trail is named for the late Dr. Harold P. Prost, who scouted and cleared most its length. Located on the south side of the mountain, it climbs the peak's southern shoulder. To reach the trailhead, take Mtn. Rd. 1.2 mi. north from Princeton center. Turn left (uphill) at a Y intersection onto Westminster Rd. Parking is available at the intersection with Administration Rd., which is closed to motor vehicles. Machias Pool is a small pond adjacent to the parking area; the water is not potable, and swimming is prohibited. Proceed on foot up Administration Rd. for 0.4 mi., where the trail begins on a woods road on the right.
Jack Frost Trail crosses a brook and an intersection with Lower Link Trail and then turns right and continues east until it crosses a power line at 0.3 mi. Here it ascends more steeply through old hemlocks, going along the lower ridge and passing the intersection with High Meadow Trial on the right. Jack Frost Trail then turns north along the brow of the ridge before climbing to the jct. with Mtn. House Trail about 0.2 mi. below the summit.
"West Side Trail" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th, Ed. (2021)
This trail, which ascends the less traveled west slopes of Wachusett Mtn., begins on West Princeton Rd. (gravel) in Westminster, 1.0 mi. north of its jct. with Westminster Rd. and 200 yd. north of the intersection with West Rd. Parking is available near the trailhead and at the nearby West Rd. gate. West Side Trail begins in the woods on the eastern side of West Princeton Rd. It passes through a fairly large hemlock stand, goes across rocks, and swings south over a hillside before crossing more rocks and climbing steeply straight ahead along a cliff.
Above the cliff, the trail levels off into hardwoods, mostly small beeches, and then climbs gradually. It swings left and right and climbs steeply before leveling off again. A short distance along, it crosses Up Summit Rd. and continues southeast to an open spot with large, flat rocks surrounded by scrub oak. Nearby, a cairn marks the Princeton-Westminster line.
West Side Trail veers northeast and briefly runs parallel to Up Summit Rd. Then it crosses Semuhanna Trail, passes near a picnic table within sight of the road, and heads back into the woods. From here West Side Trail ascends gradually uphill to its end at the jct. with Old Indian Trail about 0.3 mi. from the summit.
"Semuhenna Trail" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th, Ed. (2021)
This trail, constructed in 1971 and named for a longtime trail volunteer Anne Humes (her name spelled backward), connects the ledges on Harrington Trail southwest of the summit to Old Indial Trail near Balance Rock on the nroth slope. It crosses Wet Side Trail once and Up Summit Rd. twice. It also connects to Link Trail, which offers acces to Jack Frost Trail and Mtn. House Trail, providing opportunities for a variety of loops.
The upper end of Semuhenna Trail starts at the jct. with Harrington Trail 0.2 mi. east of Administration Rd., just below th eledges, and about 40 yd. below the western end of Link Trail. Descending from Harrington Trail, Semuhenna Trail follows a low ridge, crosses a small intermittent stream, rises slightly over two open ledges, and crosses Up Summit Rd. at a picnic site. Almost immediately it goes across West Side Trail at 0.5 mi. and enters a stand of large hemlocks. It passes the top of the west ski lift (right) and gently descends through the hemlocks to the second crossing Up Summit Rd., 60 yd. east of its intersection with North Rd. After this, the trail passes through another old hemlock grove, swings gently left to traverse another intermittent stream, and ascends slightly as it approaches a stone wall. Beyond the wall Semuhenna Trail ends at the intersection with Old Indian Trail 0.2 mi. from Balance Rock.
"Connecting Trails: Lower Link Trail" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th, Ed. (2021)
This 0.3-mi. trail parallels Administration Rd. and a brook. It serves as a short connecting route between the lower end of Jack Frost Trail and Harrington Trail.
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