" Nice hike this morning. Started out at 14 degrees in the parking lot and light flurries at 7 a.m. Already 4 or 5 cars in the parking lot, probably from early-birds who wanted to take in the sunrise. Snow on the trail, not enough for snowshoes, but micro spikes were needed for the smooth ice under a thin snow layer. Met no other hikers on the way up to the summit. Summit itself was pretty breezy under an overcast. Eastern horizon was tainted orange but there was no real visible sunrise. Could see Mount Wachusett in the distance but the new north along the Wapack trail was obscured by snow squalls. Stayed on summit just long enough for a drink of hot tea and then off to Nutting Hill. The trail to nutting hill had more snow but still not enough for snowshoes. One Hemlock had fallen across the trail quite close to the Watatic summit but it was an easy walk-around. Saw two other hikers on Nutting Hill itself and headed quick back to the parking lot which, at 9:15 was almost full with 10 cars. Very nice 2.5 hour hike. " — rjnick • Jan 3, 2026

"Started in the dark with a headlamp. Nobody in the parking lot at all. Hike was uneventful but had some slippery patches of black ice. Reached the summit just before sunrise. It was about 32 F with a brisk wind that required putting a hard shell over my fleece layer. Took some nice pictures of the sunrise in light snow flurries." — rjnick • Nov 28, 2025

"The original plan was to do this hike in reverse, saving the summit for last to watch the sunset. However, holiday traffic significantly added to our drive leaving us with just over an hour until the sunset, so we hiked to the summit first. We left the trailhead just after 3pm. The trail up to the summit only has one brief steep section, otherwise it is a steady incline all the way up. We reached the summit just after 3:45, but the best place to watch the sunset is at a large rock outcropping about a tenth of a mile away that has 270-degree views from the north to the southwest. We watched the sunset then continued along the Midstate Trail to Nutting Hill, which is roughly where we lost the rest of the twilight and relied on a headlamp. The Massachusetts-New Hampshire state line along the Midstate Trail is about a three-quarters roundtrip detour from Nutting Hill so we checked that out, along with some stone border markers, and then headed back to the parking lot. After some stargazing, we reached the trailhead around 5:30pm. I also intended for this hike to be my first test of microspikes, but despite heavy rain the prior day and freezing temperatures overnight, there was no ice o..." — JCalautti • Nov 27, 2024

"Lots of people on the trail this morning. About half had masks. One large group of teens had no masks fans were all bunched up. Lots of trash on the trails, water bottles, paper, masks. Next time I'll bring gloves and a trash bag. On summit, crystal clear views. Could make out the Boston skyline and a nice view from the false summit up the Wapack ridge all the way to North Pack Monadnock. " — rjnick • May 31, 2020

"Started around 6:30 a.m. Met a few folks coming back from a sunrise hike to the summit. Everyone keep a minimum of 6 ft separation as they passed in compliance with COVID-19 headlines and two hikers were wearing masks. There was some snow when we started but traction was not needed if you kept your eyes to the trail and looked for black ice, especially in the ledges up around Evans marker. Could see the Boston skyline. Returning via Nutting hill, there was a bit of snow in the col between Watatic and Nutting but it was rapidly melting as the temperature rose above 40 F. Lot of mud after Nutting, especially where the Wapack trail turns to the north. Great morning to spend with the wife and enjoyed a concert of woodpeckers on the Nutting Hill summit. " — rjnick • Apr 19, 2020

"Lot was very full for a weekday. People generally kept their distance and controlled their dogs, which was appreciated. Weather was perfect, warm in the sunshine with lots of small cumulous clouds floating by at the summit. No bugs at all. Not much mud on the climb up. Lots of mud between Nutting Hill and the parking lot....the trail is basically a flowing stream. Tried not to walk on the embankment and add to the ever increasing erosion. Did notice a tot more trash than usual. Plastic bags full of dog poop, empty water bottles, used kleenex etc. Never have understood why folk who want to enjoy nature and the outdoors would themselves pollute it!" — rjnick • Apr 15, 2020

"Nice 18 degree start to the day. Arrived at the trailhead at sunrise. Surprisingly, no ice on the trails. Slowly plodded to the summit as well as the false summit to the east. Breezy at the top but in sunshine even though I could see the overcast in the distance. Headed over to Nutting Hill on the Wapack Trail and then back to the trailhead via the Midstate trail which did have some avoidable areas of ice. Met very few people on the loop but there were 20 cars overflowing the parking lot when I returned at 10:30." — rjnick • Nov 17, 2019

"First hike after surgery for salivary gland cancer. It was slow going, taking lots of rests and averaging only 1.0 mph. But finally made the summit and have to say it was the best hike I ever went on. Feel as if I'm on the mend." — rjnick • Aug 24, 2019

"Cold start at dawn, only 7 degrees. Very icy all the way to the summit requiring microspikes. Not enough snow for snowshoes. Did not see another should the whole morning until I returned to the parking lot." — rjnick • Jan 13, 2019

"Started in the dark with a headlamp. Did not need crampons; ice was spotty and could be circumnavigated if careful. Overcast skies did not make for a spectacular sunrise, but it was a nice hike nonetheless." — rjnick • Dec 30, 2018