Home > Hiking > Hiking Trip Reports > Sunrise On Wachusetts

Date: 10-20-2001
Trails: Administration & Summit Road up, Mountain House & Jack Frost Trails down 
Conditions: Dark with low light as twilight approached, dry otherwise
Distance: Unknown but I'd guess about 2 miles each way
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate depending on how headlamp is working
Conditions: Dark with low light as twilight approached, dry otherwise
Special Required Equipment: Head lamp & warmth layers & wind proof clothing good if you did not want to hide behind rocks

Trip Report: I had to be back in CT by 10:15 so this was a natural place to see the sunrise. I had hoped to pack at the visitor center but it was gated & not scheduled to open until 9:00. So I went to the trailhead on the south side near the wind farm. This was my first trip where I had to start with a headlamp & it was cloudy so no star or moonlight available. I was at one of the first outlooks on the summit road as the first streaks of light began to brighten the sky. I got to the summit about 30 minutes before sunrise & while waiting for the sun to come up, a local resident pedaled up to the summit. He had started with a light & had the same thought I did. While I had envisioned being alone on this 2,006 foot peak, the company was good & I found out he makes the ride 2-3 times a week.

As an added bonus, Saturday was the day that the sun rises directly behind the Boston Skyline which made for a real visual treat. I'll try & schedule a return visit 30 days before the Spring Equinox & bring a better camera & lens to see if the sun rises again behind Boston.

The trip down was uneventful but I managed to pass & converse with a few people on the way up. As a side not, also visited Little Wachusetts which is home to a Wildlife Sanctuary, was just about a 10 minute walk & offered some partial views but for views & stuff not comparable to the main peak.

Submitted by Michael Paggioli
Colchester, CT
Thu, 25 Oct 2001