**DATE: Apr 21, 2018 to Apr 21, 2018**
*Hiking/Walk*	FULL MEMBERS ONLY: Mt. Watatic Hike Meeting Time: 11:00 AM Event Coordinator: Gandalf Ashburnham, MA US Max # People: 15 Trip Guiding / Event Fee: No, I will not be asking participants for money Difficulty Level: Easy to Moderate
SUMMARY: Get to know our fellow sustaining members! One of the most popular hikes in Massachusetts, this mountain is very rewarding in terms of views! Mt. Watatic [1832 feet] stands as the southernmost summit on the 22 mile Wapack Trail and lies just east of the end of the Midstate Trail. We will leave the parking lot and proceed up the logging road until the trail takes a sharp right towards the summit. We will have some moderate sections. We will pass by some rocky sections where it will level out with good views towards Mt. Wachusett. After a short steep section, we will reach the rocky summit with excellent 360 degree views. If we have a clear day, we will be able to see the skyline of Boston to the East. To the West, we should have clear views to Mt. Monadnock and North towards Pack Monadnock. After reveling on the summit, we will head Northwest on the trail across a couple of small summits. Moving down the Mid-State Trail we will return on a loop back to the parking lot. Bring water and lunch; along with what you normally carry for a day hike. Round trip distance: 3 miles Elevation gain: 688 feet
Driving directions to the location and spot to meet at: The Mount Watatic trailhead is located on the North side of Massachusetts Route 119 [Rindge State Road], about 1/2 mile east of the New Hampshire border, at the height of land just west of the center of Ashburnham, MA. If coming from the east go past the town of Ashby and stay on the road past the summit of Mt. Watatic. A small sign marks the entrance to a gravel parking lot. Additional parking is available along Route 119.