| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wachusett Mountain , MA |
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 | Trails: |
Midstate Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, April 27, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
We spotted a car at Barre Falls Dam where there is plenty of paved parking (I've been here a few times now and while I thought it might be the sort of place to get busy, I've never seen more than a few cars here), then drove over to Redemption Rock on Rt 140. It's a 20-25min drive. Redemption Rock has a dirt lot with room for maybe a dozen or so cars. Very sharp and narrow turn into the lot with some rocks protruding so low-clearance cars may need to exercise some care. I think there were at least a few others here around 9:30am. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
One small but unbridged brook crossing about 15min in that was definitely very elevated but crossable. Much more rain and it may have required wet feet. Another much wider crossing between Wachusett and Wachusett Meadows. Again, elevated but (barely) doable with dry feet. Right now I'm sure it's much worse and would require wading! Another crossing or two but they were bridged. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
The Midtate Trail is marked with yellow triangles tacked to trees and some older yellow triangular blazes on trees. Some blowdown work just a few mins in with some smaller brush just above head height that could be taken care of. Small stepover blowdown about 10min south of the Dickens Trail jct. Small stepover in between Gates Rd and Old Colony Rd. Small duck under 10min south of Rt 62 followed by a small widowmaker over the trail 5-10min later. A coupe of stepovers 5min later. Mid-sized blowdown that you've got to step over (not difficult) that's over a bog bridge somewhere not too far south of North Rutland I think. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Good trails for dogs but I think there are areas in which they are not allowed. |
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 | Bugs: |
None |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
1st hike of the day with a dear friend! Crocamole was kind enough to let me drag him along on a traverse of sections 4&5 of the Midstate Trail and give me a car spot. Note that there is a short relocation immediately south of Redemption Rock as beavers have flooded the area here. The hike up Wachusett Mtn is the most significant of the day but ascends the mountain in what I'm imaging is probably the gentlest way possible thought the trail's footing is not always terribly nice. The guidebook is a bit confusing as to what trails the Midstate Trail follows to the summit. From the jct of Old Indian and Semuhenna trails, it follows Semuhenna Trail, then West Side Trail, then Old Indian Trail again to the summit. From the summit, it descends Mountain House Trail, Link Trail, and Harrington Trail. Very busy at the summit and you cannot climb to the top of the tower but there are great views nonetheless. There is a section of trail just south of the summit that was blocked off by fencing and you had to walk along the road to reconnect with it on the other side. The trail entirely coincides with Chapman Trail (though the guidebook's description of that trail makes it sound as if it coincides with West Border Trail; again, confusing) through Wachusett Meadows and you could add the Beaver Bend Trail - Pasture Circuit easily enough for redlining purposes too. There is another reroute of the trail around here it crosses South Wachusett Brook as there is beaver flooding here. The trail is cut into a side hill rather roughly before finally crossing the brook on a cool little bridge and eventually rejoining the main trail. When the trail reaches Brigham Rd, turn right on it, then left on to Tracy Rd and follow it into a field. Where the road bends right continue straight behind a gate and look for blazes beyond.
There was a great deal of mud and puddles after all the rain we'd gotten and I'm sure it's all the worse now. Overall, this maybe wasn't my favorite sections of the Midstate Trail but there were some cool and unexpected sections of pine forest and scenic wetlands. Gaia had us at 18.7mi, 1750ft of gain, 8hrs. Sorry for another very late trail report! |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney and Crocamole |
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 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-10 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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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. |
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