| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Wachusett Meadows, MA |
|
 | Trails: |
South Meadow Trail, Beaver Bend Trail, Pasture Trail, Fern Forest Trail, Midstate Trail, Goodnow Road, West Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 4, 2025 |
|
 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Goodnow Rd and the parking lot are paved. Parking for well over a dozen cars at the sanctuary headquarters. Maybe just one other there between 3 and 4pm. |
|
 | Surface Conditions: |
Wet Trail, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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|
 | Water Crossing Notes: |
None |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Rather than the individual trails being blazed in different colors, they are merely blazed in yellow or blue depending on whether they lead back toward the sanctuary headquarters or away from it. One easy mid-sized stepover blowdown on Pasture Trail 5min south of where it begins to parallel West Trail/Midstate Trail/Goodnow Rd. Trail jcts are signed. |
|
 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs are not allowed at Wachusett Meadows. |
|
 | Bugs: |
I don't think there were any out at this point. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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|
 | Comments: |
2nd redline of the day after traversing sections 6, 7, and 8 of the Midstate Trail. I hiked the loop described in the guidebook as "Beaver Bend Trail - Pasture Trail Circuit" also looping in the Fern Forest Trail which is described as a spur and doing a quick OAB on the short section of Pasture Trail in between. Note that the trail that begins on the right hand side of the parking lot (facing out toward the fields not the headquarters) is South Meadow Trail, not Beaver Bend Trail which turns right off this trail in a short distance. Also, Chapman Trail entirely coincides with the Midstate Trail (the guidebook makes it sound like it follows West Border Trail but it doesn't) so I did not redline that while here having already hiked the corresponding section of the Midstate Trail.
I waited in my car for a bit for the rain to abate which it did and it only rained lightly on my hike which was quite pleasant. Grades and footing are gentle and this is a great place to bird. I didn't see anyone else out. The trails were wet with the recent downpours but all things considered, not terribly muddy. A boardwalk a 1/4mi or so south of the parking area along Beaver Bend Trail was closed as it was moslty underwater! Gaia had me at 3.1mi, 150ft of gain, 1hr6min. |
|
 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
|
 | E-Mail: |
liamcooney96@gmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-05-14 |
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 | Link: |
 https://www.massaudubon.org/places-to-explore/wildlife-sanctuaries/wachusett-meadow/trails |
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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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