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HIKE AND BIKE THE WATERSHED |
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DRWA is leading
fun tours throughout the watershed Events are free
and open to the public, priority given to DRWA members. |
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2008 Calendar |
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| Date | Location |
| April 20 | |
| May 3 | |
| May 17 | |
| June 7 | |
| June 15 | Mahican-Mohawk Trail , Shelburne |
| June 15 | Mohawk Trail Sate Park , Charlemont |
| July 12 | |
| Past hikes | |
High Ledges to Davenport Sugar House, Shelburne - SundayApril 20, 9 am
This hike will start at Davenport's and includes hiking to High Ledges with a return to Gould's Sugar House for brunch. Often good boots are all that is necessary to enjoy this half mile hike on snowmobile trails to the Massaemet Ridge, followed by a mile-long trek down the ridge to High Ledges with its spectacular views up the Deerfield River and down into Shelburne Falls. Please register with Polly Bartlett at 413-625-6628 |
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Wildflowers at Bear Swamp, Ashfield - Saturday May 3, 11 am
This is a joint hike with the Appalachian Mountain Club. Bear Swamp is located adjacent to Hawley Road in Ashfield, south of the intersection with Tatro Road. Take Rte 116 North through Ashfield. At the intersection with Rte 112, keep going straight, to Hawley Rd. At the fork, keep right. Pass a couple of old beaver ponds and the trail head will be on your left. There is a sign: Bear Swamp Reservation. Meet at 11am at tht trail head or at 9am for breakfast. Call Polly Bartlett (413) 625-6628 for details.
The Greenfield Conservation Commission and the Deerfield River Watershed Association invite the community to a Wetlands Appreciation Event on May 17 th , from 8:30 to 11:30 am (rain date May 18 th , same time), beginning at Highland Park, in Greenfield. This event is free and open to the public. From Highland Park we will carpool to one or two other wetlands, depending on time and weather constraints. Pat Serrentino, local biologist and naturalist, will lead this event.
May is American Wetlands Month. Wetlands support an incredible number of plants and animals, but many people have never visited one. Participants will learn why wetlands support an abundance of plants and animals, how to identify frogs by their distinctive calls, and become familiar with some new critters, such as the predaceous diving beetle. Participants should wear sturdy shoes or rubber boots, and bring insect repellant.
Directions: The Park is located off Highland Avenue; from Highland Ave. take a left after the tennis courts onto the dirt road; the parking lot is located just south of Highland Pond. We will meet at the parking lot. Please contact Pat Serrentino at (413) 772-0520 or pserr@crocker.com with questions or for more information on the event.
Breeding Bird Survey on Green River - Saturday June 7, 6:30 am
Jay Rasku will lead us on a Breeding Bird Survey for the Mass Audubon Society along the Green River. This walk can be for any experience level. Bring binoculatrs, insect repellent, water and a snack.
Meet at Foster's Supermarket at 70 Allen St. in Greenfield at 6:30 am. We will return at noon.
More details contact Jay.
Mahican-Mohawk Trail Shelburne Falls, Sunday June 15, 9:30 am
This hike is suitable for families with small children, from Shelburne Center down to the main Mahican-Mohawk Trail and upstream coming back out at the Route 2 Trail Head jus east of the State Police barrracks. This hike is about two and a half miles long, and includes lots of flowers to enjoy, Sluice Brook as it tumbles into the Deerfieve River, Wilcox Hollow access to the river, and the former forestry nursery with its many non-native plants.
Call Polly Bartlett (413) 625-6628 for details and to register
Mohawk Trail Park Charlemont, Sunday June 15, 9 am
This second hike on Riverfest Sunday will be in the Mohawk Trail State Park in Charlemont and will climb to the ridge above the campground to Todd Mountain and its view down the Deerfield River valley. Although this hike is only abot four miles long, it climbs 1200 feet in three miles and may not be suitable for young children.
Call Polly Bartlett (413) 625-6628 for details and to register.
Caves ,Vernal Pools and Lake Colrain -Saturday July 12 10:00 am
Join Muriel Russell, local expert in Catamount history, for an exploration of caves and wildflowers in the Catamount State Forest. Bring unscented bug repellent, flashlight to explore caves and lunch to enjoy at McLeod Pond. Directions to start: From Rte. 112 in Griswoldville, Colrain, take Adamsville Rd. to Lively Rd., then quick left onto East Catamount Rd. (steep and dirt) to end where there is parking. Please register with Muriel Russell (413) 624-3920.
Catamount History and Spring Wildflowers, Colrain
Join Muriel Russell, local expert in Catamount history, for an exploration of caves and wildflowers in the Catamount State Forest. Bring a flashlight to explore caves and lunch to enjoy at McLeod Pond. Directions to start: From Rte. 112 in Griswoldville, Colrain, take Adamsville Rd. to Lively Rd., and then a quick left onto East Catamount Rd. (steep and dirt) to the end where there is parking.
Please register with Muriel Russell (413) 624-3311.
Deerfield River Trips from Source to Connecticut River
These are repeat trips from last year. Two trips for people to see and understand the flow of the river and how the power facilities work.
June 16: We will meet in Shelburne Falls and (the first 15 people to register-DRWA members have priority) will ride in a van to Somerset Reservoir in Vermont. The flow regulations will be explained by Matt Cole, Community Relations Officer for the TransCanada Hydro Northeast Inc. power company. We will follow the river and its many diversions and power plants to the Massachusetts line. Although we will not be hiking the many trails which parallel the Deerfield River, we will take note of their trail heads for future enjoyment.
July 21: The second trip will tour the facilities form the Massachusetts line to the Number Two power station. These trips are by reservation only. Contactl Polly Bartlett at 413-625-6628
This is an unique place of water plants and trees accessed by board walks. This very short walk will be follow an old road out to a beautiful view point in the Hawley highlands. This is not a climb but the footing may be irregular so good walking shoes are recommended. We will have lunch at the view point then return to our cars on East Hawley Road. For more information, times and directions, please contact the leader, Polly Bartlett at 625-6628.
We will follow the Pocumtuck Ridge in Deerfield from Pine Nook Road to North Sugarloaf when the fall colors should be at their height. This hike is between four and five miles with the option of climbing South Sugarloaf . Since car spotting in south Deerfield is necessary, please contact the leader,Polly Bartlett at 625-6628 to register.
We will climb Spruce Hill in the Savoy State Forest on the Busby Trail. This is a short hike, about a mile and a half to the summit, but affords spectacular views down into the Hoosatonic River, Adams and over at Mount Greylock. The first mile is an easy trail through beautiful woods with the last half mile being steeper and rockier to the top. This hike is apropriate for families, but not dogs. We can return the way we went up or do a loop through beautiful woods making the return trip a mile and a half longer. To preregister or for more information, contact the leader, Polly Bartlett at (413)625-6628
Courtship Display of American Woodcocks
The male woodcock's mating display is one of our area's most amazing spring events. Join Pat Serrentino to look for woodcocks in old fields and wetlands in Leyden and Greenfield. This event will be coordinated through email only as the time and date depends on local weather conditions. Please register with Pat.
Please register with Pat Serrentino (413-772-0520).
Dubuque State Forest Hike, Hawley
Join Polly Bartlett and Pat Serrentino for this early spring hike with little elevation change but lots of interesting natural history. We'll look for spring flowers, frogs and salamanders, migrating birds, beavers, and other inhabitants of forests and wetlands. There are also impressive stone remains of previous mills. The entire loop, starting at King Corner on Route 8A, is about four-five miles but shorter loops with car spotting can be arranged. Hikers should meet at 9:00 for car pooling from Greenfield.
Please with Polly Bartlett (413) 625-6628.
Bird Migration at Poet's Seat Tower, Greenfield
Join Pat Serrentino to look for spring migrants at this well-known hot spot. If conditions are right, we will see migrating warblers, vireos, thrushes, raptors, and local resident birds, too.
Please register with Pat Serrentino (413-772-0520).
Late Spring Birding in the Lower Valley (Greenfield and Leyden)
Join Pat Serrentino to look for spring migrants and breeding birds in a variety of habitats throughout the lower Deerfield River watershed. Meet at Staples in Greenfield to carpool.
Please register with Pat Serrentino (413-772-0520).
Invasive Plants: Identification and Ecology, Greenfield
Join Pat Serrentino and Jen Strules for an educational nature walk through forest and wetlands at Highland Park and other areas in Greenfield to learn how to identify invasive plants and why they are a threat to both natural areas and your back yard.
Please register with Pat Serrentino (413-772-0520).
Spruce Hill in Savoy State Forest. This is an easy hike which is relatively flat for the first mile then climbs steeply to the ridge which overlooks Adams and North Adams. We will meet at the Shunpike Rest Area on Route 2 West of Charlemont Center at 10:00 to car pool as necessary. Preregistration with the leader is requested. Polly Bartlett, 625-6628
Moths, Bugs, and Other Creatures of the Night, Turners Falls
This event will take place at the Conte Anadromous Fish Laboratory to look for night-flying moths, beetles, and other insects, as well as bats, frogs, and other creatures active at night.
Please register with Alex Haro (413-772-0520).
Wetland Ecology at Tannery Falls and Pond, Savoy
Join Pat Serrentino and Alex Haro for an exploration of Tannery Falls and Pond to look for plants and animals found in ponds, streams, marshes, and swamps. This part of the Savoy Mountain State Forest is chock full of goodies, including high elevation birds, stream salamanders, beavers, dragonflies, and native fish. Car-pooling from Greenfield is possible. Meet at Stpales parking lot at 8am.
Please register with Pat Serrentino (413-772-0520).
Join us on this winter walk in beautiful Dubuque State Forest in Hawley, led by biologist Jen Strules. Winter is a challenging season for mammals. From voles to black bears, our resident species have unique and fascinating ways to overcome the difficulties of snow, cold temperatures, and other winter hardships. Learn about these survival strategies in this mostly off-trail hike in Dubuque State Forest.
Vernal Pools in Highland Park, Greenfield
Join Karl Meyer and Pat Serrentino for an exploration of vernal pools in Highland Park, located in Greenfield. We will identify the frogs, salamanders, insects, and other critters who require these unique habitats to survive. Be prepared to get wet.
Participants will meet at the parking lot off Peabody Lane. Directions: From the center of Greenfield (intersection of Rtes. 5&10 and Rte. 2A) go east on Rte. 2A and bear right at the blinking yellow light; continue on Crescent Street for about 0.1 mile and take a right onto Highland Avenue. At the fork go left onto Peabody Lane and look for the entrance to the parking lot (a left) after the tennis courts.
Negus Mountain, Rowe
Hike to Negus Mountain, located above the Deerfield River, to enjoy spectacular views and the fall colors, and maybe migrating hawks along the updrafts caused by the ridge. Most of the climbing will be done by car. Bring lunch and meet at the Shunpike Park on Rte. 2, 2 miles west of Charlemont Center.
Dragonflies and Damselflies of the Lower Deerfield River Valley
Join Naturalist Dave Small on a hunt for these exciting animals that are found in ponds, rivers, and marshes and even on mountaintops! Learn about dragonfly natural history and identification. Be prepared to get wet. Meet at the Staples parking lot in Greenfield to carpool. Directions: Staples is located on Rte. 2, west of the Route 2/I-91 rotary and adjacent to the Big Y Supermarket.
Berkshire East Summit
We will meet at 10:00 at the Berkshire East parking lot in Charlemont and car pool to our starting point in Hawley. We will take beautiful woods roads and trails from there to the back and top of Berkshire East where we get spectacular views of the Deerfield River valley. After lunch at the top we will descend one of the less steep trails to some of our cars left at the parking lot. Total distance is about five miles.
North and Green Divide
We will meet at the Brick Church parking lot in the center of Colrain at 9:30 and car pool as much as possible to the trails on the top of Franklin Hill. From there we will hike on historic ways and modern snow mobile trails having lunch overlooking an orchard and the the view of the "Hill with the Mohawk Tree Cut.". We pass an old graveyard and a modern horse farm on our way back to our cars. Again, all the serious climbing is done by car. The total distance is under five miles.
Big Night for Salamanders and Frogs
Join biologists Pat Serrentino and Alex Haro as we look for signs of the annual migration of amphibians from their wintering areas to vernal pools during the beginning of their breeding season. This event will be coordinated through email only as the exact time depends on local weather conditions and occurs on the first warm, rainy night in early spring. We will be driving to several sites; carpooling is possible.
Please register with Pat Serrentino (413-772-0520).
Meet at the Shunpike on
Rt 2 in Charlemont (one and a half miles west of the center) at 9:30. This hike
will be an
easy five to six miles with little climb in elevation. Starting at Kings Corner
on Rt 8A in Hawley and using old roads through the cool woods, we will arrive
at Hallockville Pond for a nature hike around the pond and lunch. (Bring your
own). The hike on woods trails past the stone works of the old mills will bring
us back to Kings Corner.
Bike the Green River -Marlboro, VT to Greenfield, MA
An easy 25 mile bike from the top of the Green River watershed in Marlboro, all the way downhill to Greenfield. We will leave cars in Marlboro and carpool back there at the end of the tour. You can meet an hour early at the Skyline Restaurant and have breakfast before getting on your bike. Bring a lunch and water, helmets required. 10 people maximum. Registration required with Françoise 413-774-7025
Spring will come and the snow will go away. Then it will be the time to hike the Mahican-Mohawk Trail while you still can see through the trees to the Deerfield River . That portion of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail (M-M Trail) most-hiked is between Route 2 in Shelburne, just east of the State Police Barracks, and Hoosac Road in Deerfield. The Deerfield River Watershed Association (DRWA) is the steward for these eight miles of mostly rough foot-trail running parallel to the river with some spectacular streams tumbling down rocks of the steep river banks to the main river.
Starting on the western end of the trail on Route 2 in Shelburne, there is a pull off for leaving cars at that trail head. The trail heads toward the river though tall Red Pine and other planted trees left over from the Franklin Forestry in the 1930s. Some of this part of the trail is on the old Indian trail which the settlers later used as their road . At Wilcox Hollow, the trail meets the river just below the outflow of the Gardner's Falls Dam. The trail continues along the bank for a while, giving some beautiful views down the pond for the next dam, the # 2 Dam of US Gen. Although the trail is following the river down stream, the trail itself makes many ups and downs as it finds its way along the steep banks. Early Spring hikers will be rewarded with many wildflowers in this stretch of the trail.
After about four and a half
miles of woodland delights, the trail comes out onto the Boston and Maine Railroad
tracks. These tracks
carry heavy freight trains, and hikers should stay away from the tracks but
follow the road next to the tracks to Bardwell Ferry Road
and the highway bridge across the Deerfield River. This bridge is a lenticular
truss bridge (because it looks like the lens of an eye)
and was featured in a movie recently.
After crossing the bridge,
hikers should follow the road up the hill until the high tension lines cross
the road, at which point is a
M-M Trail sign on the left, pointing over the bank. The trail here picks up
the long ago abandoned New Haven Railroad right of way,
which used to connect New York and Shelburne Falls. The walking is easy along
the old railroad bed, with one detour to avoid a
spectacular washout. Finally you arrive at the old Conway Station site on the
New Haven Line and where the trolley used to come down from Conway's industrial
center to meet the railroad . There is a dirt road from the Bardwell Ferry/Shelburne
Road which comes to the station site allowing cars to pick up hikers or start
their hike here.
At this point the New Haven
Railroad used to cross the South River on the highest steel truss bridge in
New England. The bridge was 550 feet long and 175 to 200 feet above the water.
All that is left of the bridge now are the impressive stone abutments at the
higher
levels and the four stone piers in the river bottom. To be able to see this
impressive stone work is anther reason to hike this area
before the leaves are on the trees.
The trail goes down the
steep banks to the South River but at this writing, Spring of 2004, there is
no bridge across the South River .
Adventuresome souls may walk across, using three steel cables strung between
two of the piers. In low water, it is sometimes possible to hop between stones
in the river or to wade across. This property is owned by USGen, and Conservation
Restrictions have been given the Massachusetts Division of Conservation and
Recreation. In cooperation with these organizations the DRWA is seeking grants
to build a foot bridge between the piers in the bottom of the river. We all
hope that this will be accomplished by the end of the Summer of '04.
Assuming you were able to
cross the South River, follow the trail up the steep bank to the old railroad
right of way again. Here hikers
have a choice of just following the level roadbed the two miles to Hoosac Road
(be sure to see the impressive stone work as the right of way crosses stream
valleys) or taking three woodland trail loops toward the Deerfield River. The
trail could not be made as one
continuous woodland trail because of the severe steepness of the incoming streams.
We have hopes of sometime connecting the Hoosac Road end of the trail with a trail through farmland along the river to Deerfield then up to connect with the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail which connects South Deerfield and Greenfield.
The trail does not stay open by itself but needs volunteers to help with clearing blowdowns and constructing bog bridges over wet spots. There will also be opportunity to help with access trails to the South River Bridge.
Update (4/20/05): A hike on the Mahican-Mohawk trail this time of year is especially beautiful because the hikers can see through the budding trees and enjoy the emerging Spring wild flowers. The winter's storms have done their damage though and there are blow downs to be removed and trails to be raked. The Deerfield River Watershed Association which is steward for this section of trail between Route 2 in Shelburne and Hoosac Road in Deerfield is looking for volunteers to prepare the trail for the hiking season on Saturdays April 23 and/or 30, 2005. The sections of trail to be worked on will depend on the people volunteering. Those interested in helping should contact Jim Vieira, 628-3881.
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web site made possible in part by the Valley Charitable Trust Fund administered
by Fleet National Bank, and by the Community Foundation for Western Massachusetts
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