amstony
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- Apr 24, 2004
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Sunday seemed like as good a day as any to visit someplace in Massachusetts I had not hiked before. With a late start, the Pats on and the Sox getting ready for their Sunday game, a local hike seemed the best thing to do! 
With my planning for a Midstate Trail section hike on my mind, I thought I'd finally check out the trail. The trail is 92 miles long, and starts on the NH/MA line and runs down to the RI/MA line, over Mt. Wachussetts, other smaller hills, and a collection of state forests.
The Guidebook from the Midstate Trail Organization had arrived a few weeks back, and after reviewing it last week I was ready to get it dirty. I figured I'd start at the start line, (makes sense ) and check out section 1, which starts at the MA/NH state line marker deep in the woods.
The trailhead for section 1 is off of Rt 119 in Mass, near Ashburnham. A small, but well maintained and fenced in parking area is there and holds about 10 cars. As I rolled up there were at least 20 cars parked along the roadway, so I decided to buck the trend and pulled into the trailhead where I found an open spot.
I quickly put on my gear and headed out. It was brisk, but clear, promising some good views. As soon as I headed down the trail, there was a big bog off to the right, which actually was overflowing onto the trail, from the heavy rains. So bypassing that slop, after a 1/3rd of a mile or so you came up to the trail junction for the blue blaze Stateline trail and the yellow blazed Midstate/Wapack trail route. The Stateline Trail takes you to the start of the Midstate, .9 miles away. I opted for the Midstate/Wapack route instead, which is longer and has a climb over Watatic, and wanting to avoid blue blazes anyway, off I went up to the summit. The trail was well marked and lead you through 2 giant rocks that appeared to be split. You then wound up to the summit, following a well blazed trail. You also pass an old camp on the left of the trail just below the summit.
At the bare summit (elev. 1832) it was crowded. Lots of folks checking out the just past peak foliage and the views. To the north the entire Wapack Range was visible, and Monadnock really stood out. To the south Mt. Wachusetts and Hunger Mountain (both on the Midstate) looked great with the foliage. I then walked over to the lower summit to the east to check that out.
Heading off the summit involved some quick looking around for the trail blazes, and then it was off to Nutting Hill to the North. As you descended to Nutting Hill you passed over several bare small summits and open areas with cairns. At Nutting Hill, you have a great view back to Watatic.
Arriving at what appeared to be MA/NH stateline, the guidebook said to look for the Marker near a stone wall, and at the Stateline Trail terminus there it was. The marker and the official laying in granite stone locating the start of the Midstate Trail was right next to it. I took some pictures, and then south on the Midstate, over to Nutting Hill, up, over and down Mt. Watatic to the trailhead and thern continued on, crossing route 119 to the continuation of the Midstate. The Midstate followed Pierce road (an obscure road) for a 1/2 mile past residents cleaning up yards, kids playing, and the ocassional hunter driving through. What was cool was the people waving to you as you trekked by with a pack and poles. The blazes were on the light poles to your right.
Then it was off the road (watch this intersection, the other trail can fool you.... ) and I was back into the Ashburnham State Forest. The blazes were fairly well marked and I followed them up to Fisher Hill, where I took a break, ate, and with gathering dark clouds and cooling temps, figured it was time to head back and catch up on the Pats. I reversed direction back and followed the same route back to the trailhead. All in all a nice trail, and a different environment.
Yep, I'll be section hiking to Rhode Island soon, with anyone else whose interested .........and there is an end to end patch too for you patch collectors out there when your done!!!
Tony
With my planning for a Midstate Trail section hike on my mind, I thought I'd finally check out the trail. The trail is 92 miles long, and starts on the NH/MA line and runs down to the RI/MA line, over Mt. Wachussetts, other smaller hills, and a collection of state forests. The Guidebook from the Midstate Trail Organization had arrived a few weeks back, and after reviewing it last week I was ready to get it dirty. I figured I'd start at the start line, (makes sense
) and check out section 1, which starts at the MA/NH state line marker deep in the woods. The trailhead for section 1 is off of Rt 119 in Mass, near Ashburnham. A small, but well maintained and fenced in parking area is there and holds about 10 cars. As I rolled up there were at least 20 cars parked along the roadway, so I decided to buck the trend and pulled into the trailhead where I found an open spot.
I quickly put on my gear and headed out. It was brisk, but clear, promising some good views.
As soon as I headed down the trail, there was a big bog off to the right, which actually was overflowing onto the trail, from the heavy rains. So bypassing that slop, after a 1/3rd of a mile or so you came up to the trail junction for the blue blaze Stateline trail and the yellow blazed Midstate/Wapack trail route. The Stateline Trail takes you to the start of the Midstate, .9 miles away. I opted for the Midstate/Wapack route instead, which is longer and has a climb over Watatic, and wanting to avoid blue blazes anyway, off I went up to the summit. The trail was well marked and lead you through 2 giant rocks that appeared to be split. You then wound up to the summit, following a well blazed trail. You also pass an old camp on the left of the trail just below the summit. At the bare summit (elev. 1832) it was crowded. Lots of folks checking out the just past peak foliage and the views. To the north the entire Wapack Range was visible, and Monadnock really stood out. To the south Mt. Wachusetts and Hunger Mountain (both on the Midstate) looked great with the foliage. I then walked over to the lower summit to the east to check that out.
Heading off the summit involved some quick looking around for the trail blazes, and then it was off to Nutting Hill to the North. As you descended to Nutting Hill you passed over several bare small summits and open areas with cairns. At Nutting Hill, you have a great view back to Watatic.
Arriving at what appeared to be MA/NH stateline, the guidebook said to look for the Marker near a stone wall, and at the Stateline Trail terminus there it was. The marker and the official laying in granite stone locating the start of the Midstate Trail was right next to it. I took some pictures, and then south on the Midstate, over to Nutting Hill, up, over and down Mt. Watatic to the trailhead and thern continued on, crossing route 119 to the continuation of the Midstate. The Midstate followed Pierce road (an obscure road) for a 1/2 mile past residents cleaning up yards, kids playing, and the ocassional hunter driving through. What was cool
was the people waving to you as you trekked by with a pack and poles. The blazes were on the light poles to your right.Then it was off the road (watch this intersection, the other trail can fool you....
) and I was back into the Ashburnham State Forest. The blazes were fairly well marked and I followed them up to Fisher Hill, where I took a break, ate, and with gathering dark clouds and cooling temps, figured it was time to head back and catch up on the Pats. I reversed direction back and followed the same route back to the trailhead. All in all a nice trail, and a different environment.Yep, I'll be section hiking to Rhode Island soon, with anyone else whose interested .........and there is an end to end patch too for you patch collectors out there when your done!!!
Tony
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