MOUNT WACHUSETT

'Mount Wachusett' is located in the towns of Princeton and Westminster in Worcester County of Massachusetts. It is the highest point in Massachusetts east of the Connecticut River. The mountain is named after a Native American term meaning "near the mountain" or "mountain place". The mountain is a popular place to ski in the winter (Wachusett Mountain Ski Area) and hike in the summer, when it is also possible to drive to the summit. Summit views include Mount Monadnock to the north and (on clear days) Boston to the east.
The name Wachusett can be also found locally in Wachusett Regional High School, Mount Wachusett Community College, Wachusett Reservoir and the Wachusett Brewing Company.

Contents

Features

Ski Area

External links

Features

The mountain is the location of the largest known Old Growth Forest east of the Connecticut River in Massachusetts, with trees dating over 350 years old. Glacial activity which shaped the mountain can be seen at Balance Rock; two large boulders were stacked one on top of the other by moving glaciers thousands of years ago. The mountain is also a "Monadnock" or lonely mountain. This means that it is one lone mountain situated on a relatively flat landscape. The closest sizable mountain to Wachusett is Mount Watatic to the north on the Ashby/Ashburnham/New Hampshire border.

Ski Area

Wachusett Mountain is home to a 22-trail ski area serviced by 2 high speed quads, 2 fixed-grip triples and 3 magic carpet lifts. It features approximately 1,000 foot of vertical, a 50,000 square foot base lodge, 100% snowmaking and night skiing on 18 trails, as well as a terrain park and a 300-foot half-pipe. Due to its location, it is a popular skiing destination for residents of nearby Worcester and Boston. The ski area is located within the boundaries of the Wachusett Mountain State Reservation on a 450-acre lease parcel on the northern slopes of the mountain.

External links

★ Wachusett Mountain State Reservation

★ Wachusett Brewing Company

★ The view from Mount Wachusett