Mt. Wachusett Double via West Side, Pine Hill, Harrington (Wachusett Mountain State Reservation)
Hike Type: Lollipop Loopty Loop
Distance: 4.70 miles
Elevation: 1,450 feet
Time: 2 hours, 6 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026; Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026; Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge
The Hike
My favorite tradition the past couple of years has been taking a break from the Massachusetts Music Educator's Association Conference and do a little "solo session" on Mt. Wachusett. I was feeling a bit socially drained and possibly hungover, so a first-day-of-spring romp was just what I needed. I opted to start from my favorite trail, the West Side Trail, and just see where the day took me! The road in was a little soft, but didn't pose much of a problem besides an occasional swerve in and out of a rut. It was absolutely beautiful out in the upper 40s, so I threw on shorts and a long sleeve with a fleece and spikes in the backpack just in case.
There was no snow to be seen at the start of the hike with just a few small, avoidable ice flows. At the first steeper push there were some impressive iciles off-trail, and I found myself just feeling wonderful with the sun shining on my body (minus the upset stomach...). The trail got a little wet near the junction with the Semuhenna Trail, but nothing of problem. I loved hearing the chair lift through the woods, ski season isn't over yet!
There was a decent patch of ice after the Midstate joined the West Side Trail, but it was fine with a few careful steps. There were bits and pieces of rotted monorail leftover, too. The steep part of Old Indian was completely fine, and before I knew it I was at the top of the ski area! There were a good amount of people up there unloading from the new six-pack, but I was delighted to see there was almost nobody up at the true summit. It was chilly and breezy up at the tower, and the view to Monadnock made me excited to venture out there again hopefully soon.
I decided against my better judgement to descend via Pine Hill to make an almost double summit loop. Thankfully, Pine Hill is just a series of well-structured stairs. I also found the third disc finally! There is one near the Harrington terminus at the summit, one nearish the railing on the way to Pine Hill Trail, and the third was to the left of the pedestrian walkway (almost like you were joining the trail early) in an area with a strange amount of old chimneys - yay!
The descent was completely fine minus one 10-foot patch of deeper snow, but no traction was needed. I was definitely feeling the hike (and lack of previous hiking) in my legs. I turned onto Bicentennial, which was rugged but dry, and continued up the Loop Trail, past the lovely view, and over the endless rocks (it's actually a pretty nice trail). I decided to take Mountain House to Link to Harrington, because I remember the final bit of Harrington before the road to be a doozy, and I was right! Decent ice flows and usual scrambles had me glad I was not descending them. I got a little gassed on the final push, but was relieved to make it up again! I don't fully consider this a true double summit becuase my rule is usually that I need to touch a trailhead to make it a double, but I still felt satisfied.
I went down Mountain House from the summit, which was a bit cloudier, windier, and chillier this time, and took it back onto Link and then to Harrington/Semuhenna. Semuhenna was a little muddy but still not nearly as bad as I anticipated. It looked like it WAS a whole lot worse a week or so ago. My final descent down West Side Trail was quiet and lovely, and soon I was back in the car and headed up to Vermont. The drive up had everything from blue skies to torrential rain to rough, slippery snow. Fun!
Step-by-Step
- Park at West Side Trail trailhead.
- Start hike on West Side Trail.
- At terminus, turn right onto Old Indian Trail.
- From summit, descend via Pine Hill Trail.
- At terminus, turn right onto Bicentennial Trail.
- At jct., turn right onto Loop Trail.
- At terminus, turn right onto Mountain House Trail.
- At jct., turn left onto Link Trail.
- At terminus, turn right onto Harringtoin Trail.
- From summit, descend via Mountain House Trail.
- At jct., turn right onto Link Trail.
- At terminus, turn left onto Harrington Trail.
- At jct., turn right onto Semuhenna Trail.
- At jct., turn left onto West Side Trail.
- Follow West Side Trail to car.
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