Mount Wachusett

Trails Used

Echo Lake Trail, Jack Frost Trail, Mountain House Trail, Old Indian Trail, Semuhenna Trail, Harrington Trail, Lower Link Trail, State Administration Road

Trail Conditions

Notes

Group of 9, circuit over the top & down to Balance Rock, starting/ ending at Westminster Road. About 75% snow and ice free, except for ski runs which are still pretty deep and burly. Lingering patches of snow and ice interspersed with bare ground and rock, mostly avoidable without needing to spike up. Mud season trail conditions with standing and running water/ mud / frost heaves in places. Lots of hikers and skiers active today. Ski runs across Old Indian Trail were getting a lot of use and we had to time our crossings with caution.

Water Crossings

Step across and bridges.

Trails Used

Westside Trail, Harrington Trail, Semuhenna Trail

Trail Conditions

Equipment

Notes

A bit of everything today. I started in spikes, then switched to snowshoes to the top. Started down in the shoes, but quickly switched to boots because the top of Harrington is all rock. Went back to the snowshoes at the Semuhenna trail, though there were stretches of just dirt and mud in there. Took the snowshoes off for good near the end, where I'd put them on initially. Most folks were in boots, some with spikes, but where there's snow on the trail, it's really chewed up and I found the snowshoes helpful.

Parking

Westside lot is muddy but plowed

Water Crossings

Open running water everywhere. Waterproof boots a must.