Mountain Quest: Wachusett 3

Today I approached the mountain from the north, and slogged up the Bolton Pond Trail and then the Old Indian Trail. It took me about 80 minutes to hike up the super-muddy trail (which at times had actual running water hogging the path), which has many cool sights.

There is a loud and swift river running along the right hand side of the BPT, and the namesake Bolton Pond is a very cool place to stop at while the sun is over it. I got a few good photos there, and at Balance Rock, a famous two-stone marker where the trail splits into several routes. I crossed over several ski trails about halfway up the slope. It was sunny and humid, if a bit chilly, but I brought my sweatshirt (which I wound up donning for the descent).

On the way back down it took me about 70 minutes, including one point where I slipped and fell on my ass. As I have practiced over and over in my head, I reflexively dropped my iPod as I fell, and neither it, nor my camera (or my cell phone which I always forget is in my backpack) was harmed in any way. Mojave 3, Nick Drake and Miranda Lee Richards accompanied me musically on the way down. And i got a few cool pictures of the moon! It's a good thing to occasionally look over one's shoulder from time to time on a descent.

Today's was another great hike, proving that just because one climbs the same mountain several times, it does not mean that one cannot find new and interesting ways to enjoy said mountain. I've climbed three completely separate and distinct slopes of the mountain to date, and there is still at least one more worthwhile (West Side Trail to Semuhenna Trail) route in case I can't go further afield. What a day! Sweat-soaked (yet again), chilly and hungry, but as always, a great use of downtime...