NewEnglandTrailConditions.com
NewEnglandTrailConditions.com:
MA
|
ME
|
NH
|
RI/CT
|
VT
|
Ski
Hiking Trail Conditions Report
Peaks
Peaks Mt. Watatic, MA
Trails
Trails: Unnamed trails
Date of Hike
Date of Hike: Friday, December 4, 2015
Parking/Access Road Notes
Parking/Access Road Notes: I parked at a paved pullout along Rt. 119 in Ashburnham, about 3/4 mi. east of the regular trailhead for Watatic. 
Surface Conditions
Surface Conditions: Dry Trail, Leaves - Significant/Slippery 
Recommended Equipment
Recommended Equipment:  
Water Crossing Notes
Water Crossing Notes: None. 
Trail Maintenance Notes
Trail Maintenance Notes: For unofficial/closed trails, they are in good shape. The second side trail I found, marked in various blue spray paint markings, showed evidence of maintenance and blowdown clearing. 
Dog-Related Notes
Dog-Related Notes: If they like steep terrain. 
Bugs
Bugs: Nope. 
Lost and Found
Lost and Found: Nope. 
 
Comments
Comments: From the parking area, I followed what appeared to be an old powerline cut complete with old utility poles (no wires). I noted one painted over yellow triangle blaze on one of the poles, so I am assuming this is a former route of the Wapack Trail. There is also a sign just in from the road stating this trail is closed, but there are no prohibitions about hiking it. It's very well worn and I always see cars parked here.

I followed the cut about due north. Walking is easy at first, then becomes rocky, steep, more steep, then very steep as the trail shoots straight up the south side of the mountain. The very steep section almost looks like a slide at this point, as the soil has been washed away leaving exposed granite.

After the steeps, the trail gets easier and an unmarked side trail goes right toward the small col between the two summit knobs. I continued straight on the cut to the main summit. From there I dropped down into the col and went over to the south knob. Back in the col I picked up the side trail and followed it down until it rejoined the cut. I retraced my steps back down.

On the way down, I followed a side trail leading right. It's marked with various blue spray paint markings, including random letters and smiley faces. There are also a few cairns. I followed this until it started to reclimb the mountain, where I turned back. I'll come back another day to see where that goes.  
Name
Name: KenM 
E-Mail
E-Mail: kmacgray@gmail.com 
Date Submitted
Date Submitted: 2015-12-04 
Link
Link: https:// 
Bookmark and Share Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense.

Copyright 2009-2024, All Rights Reserved