Wapack Trail facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wapack Trail |
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View from Pack Monadnock on Wapack Trail
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| Length | 21 mi (34 km) |
| Location | Worcester County, Massachusetts and Hillsborough County, New Hampshire, U.S. |
| Use | hiking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, other |
| Highest point | Pack Monadnock, 2,288 ft (697 m) |
| Lowest point | Spofford Gap, 1,226 ft (374 m) |
| Difficulty | easy, with moderately difficult sections |
| Season | easiest mid-spring to mid-fall |
| Hazards | deer ticks, weather, poison ivy |
The Wapack Trail is a super old hiking path in the United States. It opened way back in 1923! This trail stretches for about 21 miles (34 kilometers). It runs from Mount Watatic in Massachusetts all the way north to North Pack Monadnock mountain in New Hampshire.
The Wapack Trail is mostly for day trips. This means hikers usually go for a walk during the day and then head home. There are not many places to camp overnight along the trail.
The trail goes through several towns in both Massachusetts and New Hampshire. It also passes through cool spots like Miller State Park and the Wapack National Wildlife Refuge. A group called Friends of the Wapack helps take care of the trail. They work hard to keep it in good shape and protect the land around it.
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Discovering the Wapack Trail
The Wapack Trail follows a line of mountains called the Wapack Range. It starts at Mount Watatic in Ashburnham, Massachusetts. Then it goes north to North Pack Monadnock in Greenfield, New Hampshire. This trail is a great place for hiking, snowshoeing, and even cross-country skiing in winter.
The trail passes through different types of land. You'll see forests, hills, and open areas. It goes over Temple Mountain. You can also explore Binney Hill Wilderness Preserve. Remember to watch out for things like deer ticks and poison ivy when you are hiking.
How the Trail Began
The idea for the Wapack Trail started in the summer of 1922. Two friends, Allen Chamberlain and Albert Annett, were talking in New Hampshire. They looked out at the mountains and thought, "Wouldn't it be great to have a path along these ridges?"
Albert Annett then shared this idea with his friends, Frank Robbins and Marion Buck. The three of them started cutting the trail by hand. They used simple tools to clear the path. The trail was ready and opened in 1923. Marion Buck gave the trail its special name. She took "Wa" from Mount Watatic and "Pack" from North Pack Monadnock. That's how the "Wapack Trail" got its name! Soon, the mountains themselves became known as the Wapack Range.
Fun Running Races
If you love to run, there are two exciting races held on the Wapack Trail!
The Spring Challenge
One race happens in May. It started in 2007. This race covers almost the entire length of the trail, about 21.5 miles (34.6 kilometers). It begins at the very northern end of the trail.
There's also a super long version of this race. It's an ultramarathon that's about 50 miles (80 kilometers) long! Runners go from the southern end all the way to the northern end and then turn around and run back. They even add a small extra loop to make it exactly 50 miles.
The Labor Day Race
Another race takes place in September, usually around Labor Day. This one is about 18 miles (29 kilometers) long. It covers the southern part of the trail. Runners start near a former cross-country ski area. They run to Mount Watatic and then turn around and run back to the start.
