Saturday, June 13, 2015

June 11


The north road on Wachusett Mountain begins as an access trail, two-track with tufts of poverty grass and stone bedding in between. It starts at the base of the ski buildings and winds upward criss crossing the cleared ski slopes and rising steadily counter-clockwise up the mountain, through several patches of what appear to be old growth forest.

After approximately 2 miles, the road has gained nearly 1000 feet of elevation, and the landscape is transformed to a state of vegetation that we experienced two to three weeks ago. In short, we felt as if we’d stepped back in time to late spring, with bluets in the roadside ditch, hyacinths doting the rocks, and patches of violets in the wetland glades seen from the path.

The air was noticeably cooler here and cleaner feeling somehow, and we had the road to ourselves as we ascended to the point where it exits onto the paved mountain road. Here, at the gate that prevents cars from gaining access from the mountain road, we skirted the iron crossing by going round near the woods. Just there in the shady wetland of the woods stood a singular and perfect lady slipper, back lit by a shaft of sun that found entry through a hole in the canopy overhead.

Notes:
Orange hawkweed in bloom.

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