Worcester County Highpoint Trip Report
Date: October 15, 2010
Author: Adam Helman
Pine Hill Trail coordinates
note: All coordinates are in the WGS84 datum.
This effort was part of a larger journey
collecting New England county highpoints in October 2010.
Previous reports will get you to the
parking lot
3.9 road miles from Route 20 and with coordinates (42.49179° N, 71.87993° W).
It is raining heavily this morning, just as the forecast for a "noreaster" predicted.
To get something out of the day I consider a drive-up - Wachusett Mountain, presumably
doable even with the inclement weather.
I add ascents for the entirety of my trip at the Peterborough, New Hampshire
public library, providing today's date, October 15, for tomorrow's ascent of Monadnock,
the Cheshire County, New Hampshire highpoint - as well as this afternoon's "ascent" of
Wachusett Mountain. In my written notes I indicate that the former date should be amended
on returning home.
Before leaving I decide to check the
Wachusett Mountain State Reservation website;
and learn that the summit road is under repair through 2011.
So the Pine Hill Trail it will be regardless of the weather.
From the parking lot take the Bicentennial Trail on the lot's west side as it heads south.
There is a
trail split
at (42.48883° N, 71.87986° W), with the Pine Hill Trail to the right (west) and "up".
You cross the summit road
at (42.48892° N, 71.88338° W) after gaining a few hundred feet elevation.
Walk the road left (south) about 40 feet, and locate the trail's continuation on its opposite side.
The trail
"tops-out"
onto the general summit area at (42.48838° N, 71.88585° W).
From here, walk on nearly level ground northwest about 150 yards to the
highest ground
at (42.48920° N, 71.88701° W) and a measured 2,024 feet.
The cited summit coordinates in decimal minutes are (42° 29.352' N, 71° 53.221' W),
values comparable with those reported by Brennan Connelly at
(42° 29.350' N, 71° 53.221' W). The two locations differ by 7 horizontal feet - well within
the error range of standard GPS devices.
Owing to the pitiful skies I take a room for tonight - my only one for twelve nights away from home.