Mount Wachusett
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mount Wachusett | |
|---|---|
 Mount Wachusett in winter |
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| Elevation | 611 m / 2,006 ft |
| Location | Princeton / Westminster, Massachusetts, USA |
| Prominence | Approx. 305 m / 1,000 ft |
| Coordinates | |
| Easiest route | road (via car) or Pine Tree Hill trail (via foot) |
- This article is about the geological moutain. For information regarding the ski area, see Wachusett Mountain.
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, Wachusett Reservoir and the Wachusett Brewing Company.
[edit] 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.
