Mountain Quest: Wachusett 4

I was supposed to work in Seabrook today resetting a Staples, but there was no work info in my e-mail in-box, so I had an unplanned day off (score!). So I decided to climb yet another 'unblazed-by-me' trail on Mt. Wachusett.

I began my hike on what I thought was the Echo Lake Trail, but I set off down the wrong path. After some pleasant small talk with two beautiful women and their dog, and a quick converse with two helpful women further up the path at the Harrington Trail juncture, I turned around and wound up taking the Jack Frost Trail up the mountain. I crossed two streams, and then I came across yet another attractive woman who was making her way down a steep area. She indicated the quite-vertical slabs of rock over her shoulder as the direction I was to proceed, so I thanked her and scrambled up the side of the hill. What fun!

The rest of my ascent was via the familiar Mountain House Trail (Jack Frost doesn't like the summit, apparently). When I got to the top the place was packed. "Holy Tourist Season, Batman!". So I took a few pictures, buried my nose in "Havoc's Sword" for a few minutes, and ate my almonds and apple before I fled the crowds of gawkers. I went back down Mountain House to Jack Frost, but then I took the High Meadow Trail, and then ended the hike with the Echo Lake Trail (finally!). The lake itself was unimpressive, but it was a nice interlude (though there were more people with dogs, and even a pair of mountain bikers). Most of the day's hike was pretty solitary but I did pass a few couples in both directions, either with or without dogs. Miranda Lee Richards accompanied me on my iPod, and a mere two minutes from my car, the skies opened up and poured all over everyone else. A great day, and the people weren't too annoying (whattaya want on a dry cool Saturday?). Mission Accomplished.