Little Wachusett Loop (Minns WMA)

HIKE NAME:  Little Wachusett (Minns) Loop   DISTANCE: 4 Miles     DIFFICULTY: Moderate

Restrictions: No motorized vehicles

Trailhead: Princeton. Park at the gate area at Administration Road  off Westminster Road, about one mile up from Mountain Road.  Princeton’s windmills will be visible at the parking area. https://goo.gl/maps/ayAi3zxf2SSFsBVQ8

Hike Description:  

This is a lovely hike up through Minns Wildlife Area, which encompasses Little Wachusett Mountain. There are no views from the top but there is good blueberry picking in season.  There is a 300 foot ascent up the hill near the start of the trail, which includes hikes along Thompson Road and the Midstate Trail.       

Links:  None

Hike Details: 

Walk back on Westminster Road toward Mountain Road for about a half mile. About 200 feet before hitting Mountain Road, the Little Wachusett Trail starts on the south side of the road (not marked). This trail is steep for about a quarter mile, ascending Little Wachusett for about 300 vertical feet. The trail then winds through an semi-open area, crosses a stone wall and heads to the right. Follow the trail out to some rock ledges and low-bush blueberry bushes. This is a good spot to stop for a while!

The descent is via a fine little path that winds through the pine forest. The trail can be difficult to find, but head down off the ledges to the west (you may find a weak red arrow on a rock showing the way).  Then descend through the woods to Thompson Road.

Take a right on Thompson Road, which is a gravel road. This goes out through a large beaver pond with views up toward Mount Wachusett and the Windmill Farm, and descends a hill to the Chapman/Dickens/Midstate Trail (yellow triangular blazes). The Midstate Trail goes left to Mass Audubon Wachusett Meadow Sanctuary, but you will take it to the right, toward Wachusett Mountain.

The Midstate Trail starts as the Chapman Trail and turns into the Dickens Trail when it leaves Audubon property. The trail runs for about a mile and hits Westminster Road. A right will take you back to the parking area in about a half mile.

Other Options to Consider: 

An interesting half mile can be added by crossing Westminster Road onto Harrington Trail , then proceeding through the windmill farm Green Line).

It is also possible to park on the side of Westminster Road down near Mountain Road, where the trail heads up the mountain. A shorter loop can be made by turning left on Thompson Road and returning via Mountain Road.

Historical Notes: 

Minns Wildlife Management Area (WMA) was one of the first wildlife parks donated to the State of Massachusetts. It was donated by Susan B. Minns, a summer Princeton resident,who was a biologist, philanthropist, and collector, and one of the first women to study at  MIT. She was an avid birder, and was very protective of the Little Wachusett Summit, wishing to preserve it for future generations.

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Princeton HIkers on Little Wachusett Summit

The Trail over Little Wachusett can be hard to follow. Cross this stone wall and bear right!