BIGEarl
Well-known member
October 20, 2007: Wapack Trail End-to-End (N-S)
Trail: Wapack Trail
Distance – Elevation: ~22 miles, 5,175 feet (altimeter log)
The day started with a meeting at the south end of the Wapack Trail on route 119 in Ashburnham, MA to spot a vehicle. I arrived a little early at approximately 5:40am and enjoyed viewing the clearing sky conditions with stars everywhere. Soon, Trail Trotter pulled in. We loaded my things into her car and were off for the north end of the trail and a meeting with Amicus, the final member of our group for the day. A few minutes before 7:00am he pulled up and went through his final prep for the day.
Old Mountain Rd. to Route 101
At approximately 7:10am we were on the trail heading for our first summit, North Pack Monadnock. The conditions straight up were generally blue sky but at ground level we experienced a significant amount of fog. We were hoping the sun would eventually burn it off to allow us the enjoyment of the views and fall colors. The climb to the summit of N. Pack Monadnock was a steady, moderate grade that provided a good warn-up to the day. Roughly 45 minutes after starting out we were on the fog-bound summit. We stayed long enough to get a couple summit pictures and headed off for Pack Monadnock Mountain. This 2.4 mile stretch starts by descending from the summit and then passing across the col that includes a couple wet areas before climbing to the summit area of Pack Monadnock. Along the way we passed across the Joanne Bass Bross Preserve. A short time later we entered the Miller State Park and then came to the fogged-in summit. Again, more summit pictures but no views. We still had a long way to go and headed off for the Route 101 crossing. On the way between the Pack Monadnock summit and Route 101 the conditions started to clear. When we reached Route 101 we had generally clear and sunny conditions that would stay with us for most of the remainder of the hike.
Route 101 to Nashua Road
After crossing Route 101 we headed for the summit of Temple Mountain. While climbing to the ridge, Holt Peak, and Burton Peak we were treated to a number of great views and plenty of fall colors. The area was hit with a relatively strong storm on Friday night. The wind and rain brought down a great deal of leaves stripping some trees. The trail was littered with wet, slippery leaves and pine needles which made the hiking a little slower to attempt avoiding a fall, which didn’t always work out. Fortunately, there were many leaves left on the trees. On our way to Holt Peak we were treated to nice views back to Pack Monadnock, to the east, and west. After leaving the area at the top of the closed Temple Mountain Ski Area the trail enters a stand of pines that Amicus labeled the Black Forest – an interesting place. I managed to get an interesting picture of the final traces of fog leaving the area. Continuing south we came across a lesser peak where a large amount of stone work has been done, perhaps by some Boy Scouts. There are a number of stone chairs, cairns, and one lean-to. We stopped there briefly for some pictures and a snack. While there a Boy Scout group came in with several chaperones to explore the site. We headed off for Holt Peak and started to experience a series of viewpoints, some created by logging activities next to the trail. The views in this area are generally to the west including Mount Monadnock. The next key location was Burton Peak where we found another Boy Scout group. They were spread out on the ledges taking a break from their hike. After a few pictures we were back to our hike south. Soon after leaving Burton Peak we came to another ledge viewpoint were we enjoyed views of Spofford Gap, Connant Hill, and Wildcat Hill. From here it is a gradual hike down to Nashua Road which includes a short road walk on Temple Road.
Nashua Road to Route 123/124
The trail leaves Nashua Road following an old logging road. At times the marked trail moves off the road but generally follows the same course. This area is a long and gradual climb to the east side of Conant Hill. Along the way we stopped for a brief break and snack. Just as we were preparing to leave we noticed the group of Boy Scouts we first saw on Burton Peak was gaining ground on us. The hike through this area was generally dry with a relatively mild grade, nothing steep up or down. As we were getting close to Route 123/124 we passed a small ski area with a rope tow. This reminded me of the place where I learned to ski when I was young. Very soon after passing the rope tow we came to the trailhead on Route 123/124. Across the road is the Wapack Lodge site and the continuation of the trail. The Wapack Lodge was lost to a fire in 1993 and all that remains is the foundation.
Route 123/124 to Route 119
It’s mid afternoon by now and we still have over 8 miles to go. We crossed the road, passed by the Wapack Lodge site, and headed back into the woods to finish the final piece of our hike. The initial portion includes a large number of ski trails. Everything is very well marked and the Wapack is easy to follow. The ski trails seemed to continue all the way to the summit of Barrett Mountain. Here we were again treated with terrific views. From Barrett Mountain we could see south to New Ipswich Mountain, our next target. The late afternoon hiking conditions were great as we made our way over New Ipswich Mountain, across Stony Top with more great views, and on to Pratt Mountain. A short distance after clearing Pratt Mountain we came upon a nice viewpoint over Binney Pond that offered a nice view of the area around the pond plus Emerson Hill and Mount Watatic (our final target). After hiking past the Binney Pond area we reached Binney Hill Road which was the start of a road walk on it and a series of old wood roads. These roads generally led all the way to the trail split of the Midstate Trail and Wapack Trail. While hiking through this road walk some dark clouds came in and a light rain started. It didn’t become significant or last long. At the trail split we were essentially out of daylight. A decision was needed to head out or continue to the summit of Mount Watatic. Our plan was for an end-to-end hike of the Wapack which includes a trip over Watatic, and that’s the decision we took. Out came the headlights and off we went to Watatic. Trail Trotter took the lead and led us to the summit as if she had done the hike many times before. At approximately 7:00pm we were standing at the summit of Mount Watatic enjoying some long-range views of city lights. The wind had come up, the temperature started to drop and we decided to keep moving. Again, Trail Trotter at the front leading us back to the trailhead and our waiting vehicle. The hike down from the summit of Mount Watatic is generally quite steep, rough, and littered with wet leaves making for slow going. Slowly we worked our way through the upper parts of the trail and found easier hiking at lower elevations. Finally we reached the trailhead, packed our things into the truck and headed off for Greenfield, NH and the north trailhead.
We had a long day on the Wapack. I think we all really enjoyed the hike, I know I did. Thanks to Trail Trotter and Amicus for a great day in the woods.
I've posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures.
Straight to the slideshow.
Trail: Wapack Trail
Distance – Elevation: ~22 miles, 5,175 feet (altimeter log)
The day started with a meeting at the south end of the Wapack Trail on route 119 in Ashburnham, MA to spot a vehicle. I arrived a little early at approximately 5:40am and enjoyed viewing the clearing sky conditions with stars everywhere. Soon, Trail Trotter pulled in. We loaded my things into her car and were off for the north end of the trail and a meeting with Amicus, the final member of our group for the day. A few minutes before 7:00am he pulled up and went through his final prep for the day.
Old Mountain Rd. to Route 101
At approximately 7:10am we were on the trail heading for our first summit, North Pack Monadnock. The conditions straight up were generally blue sky but at ground level we experienced a significant amount of fog. We were hoping the sun would eventually burn it off to allow us the enjoyment of the views and fall colors. The climb to the summit of N. Pack Monadnock was a steady, moderate grade that provided a good warn-up to the day. Roughly 45 minutes after starting out we were on the fog-bound summit. We stayed long enough to get a couple summit pictures and headed off for Pack Monadnock Mountain. This 2.4 mile stretch starts by descending from the summit and then passing across the col that includes a couple wet areas before climbing to the summit area of Pack Monadnock. Along the way we passed across the Joanne Bass Bross Preserve. A short time later we entered the Miller State Park and then came to the fogged-in summit. Again, more summit pictures but no views. We still had a long way to go and headed off for the Route 101 crossing. On the way between the Pack Monadnock summit and Route 101 the conditions started to clear. When we reached Route 101 we had generally clear and sunny conditions that would stay with us for most of the remainder of the hike.
Route 101 to Nashua Road
After crossing Route 101 we headed for the summit of Temple Mountain. While climbing to the ridge, Holt Peak, and Burton Peak we were treated to a number of great views and plenty of fall colors. The area was hit with a relatively strong storm on Friday night. The wind and rain brought down a great deal of leaves stripping some trees. The trail was littered with wet, slippery leaves and pine needles which made the hiking a little slower to attempt avoiding a fall, which didn’t always work out. Fortunately, there were many leaves left on the trees. On our way to Holt Peak we were treated to nice views back to Pack Monadnock, to the east, and west. After leaving the area at the top of the closed Temple Mountain Ski Area the trail enters a stand of pines that Amicus labeled the Black Forest – an interesting place. I managed to get an interesting picture of the final traces of fog leaving the area. Continuing south we came across a lesser peak where a large amount of stone work has been done, perhaps by some Boy Scouts. There are a number of stone chairs, cairns, and one lean-to. We stopped there briefly for some pictures and a snack. While there a Boy Scout group came in with several chaperones to explore the site. We headed off for Holt Peak and started to experience a series of viewpoints, some created by logging activities next to the trail. The views in this area are generally to the west including Mount Monadnock. The next key location was Burton Peak where we found another Boy Scout group. They were spread out on the ledges taking a break from their hike. After a few pictures we were back to our hike south. Soon after leaving Burton Peak we came to another ledge viewpoint were we enjoyed views of Spofford Gap, Connant Hill, and Wildcat Hill. From here it is a gradual hike down to Nashua Road which includes a short road walk on Temple Road.
Nashua Road to Route 123/124
The trail leaves Nashua Road following an old logging road. At times the marked trail moves off the road but generally follows the same course. This area is a long and gradual climb to the east side of Conant Hill. Along the way we stopped for a brief break and snack. Just as we were preparing to leave we noticed the group of Boy Scouts we first saw on Burton Peak was gaining ground on us. The hike through this area was generally dry with a relatively mild grade, nothing steep up or down. As we were getting close to Route 123/124 we passed a small ski area with a rope tow. This reminded me of the place where I learned to ski when I was young. Very soon after passing the rope tow we came to the trailhead on Route 123/124. Across the road is the Wapack Lodge site and the continuation of the trail. The Wapack Lodge was lost to a fire in 1993 and all that remains is the foundation.
Route 123/124 to Route 119
It’s mid afternoon by now and we still have over 8 miles to go. We crossed the road, passed by the Wapack Lodge site, and headed back into the woods to finish the final piece of our hike. The initial portion includes a large number of ski trails. Everything is very well marked and the Wapack is easy to follow. The ski trails seemed to continue all the way to the summit of Barrett Mountain. Here we were again treated with terrific views. From Barrett Mountain we could see south to New Ipswich Mountain, our next target. The late afternoon hiking conditions were great as we made our way over New Ipswich Mountain, across Stony Top with more great views, and on to Pratt Mountain. A short distance after clearing Pratt Mountain we came upon a nice viewpoint over Binney Pond that offered a nice view of the area around the pond plus Emerson Hill and Mount Watatic (our final target). After hiking past the Binney Pond area we reached Binney Hill Road which was the start of a road walk on it and a series of old wood roads. These roads generally led all the way to the trail split of the Midstate Trail and Wapack Trail. While hiking through this road walk some dark clouds came in and a light rain started. It didn’t become significant or last long. At the trail split we were essentially out of daylight. A decision was needed to head out or continue to the summit of Mount Watatic. Our plan was for an end-to-end hike of the Wapack which includes a trip over Watatic, and that’s the decision we took. Out came the headlights and off we went to Watatic. Trail Trotter took the lead and led us to the summit as if she had done the hike many times before. At approximately 7:00pm we were standing at the summit of Mount Watatic enjoying some long-range views of city lights. The wind had come up, the temperature started to drop and we decided to keep moving. Again, Trail Trotter at the front leading us back to the trailhead and our waiting vehicle. The hike down from the summit of Mount Watatic is generally quite steep, rough, and littered with wet leaves making for slow going. Slowly we worked our way through the upper parts of the trail and found easier hiking at lower elevations. Finally we reached the trailhead, packed our things into the truck and headed off for Greenfield, NH and the north trailhead.
We had a long day on the Wapack. I think we all really enjoyed the hike, I know I did. Thanks to Trail Trotter and Amicus for a great day in the woods.
I've posted some pictures from the day.
BIGEarl's Pictures.
Straight to the slideshow.
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