Pre-hike of Dynamite Box Trail today…one section about an hour in has a washout but its crossable..two downed trees including the one on the 2nd girder bridge…still lots of ice everywhere and a few inches of snow..spikes are needed for the group hike next Saturday March 30th! #westernmasshilltownhikers #hikethehilltowns
Saturday, May 4, beginning at 10am
Meet at the boat launch parking lot at Littleville Dam.
The Friends of SHAEC is partnering with the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers for a fundraising walk/hike at the Littleville Dam, on Saturday, May 4, at 10am, in celebration of the twentieth anniversary of the Southern Hilltowns Adult Education Center.
For 20 years, SHAEC has been providing free classes in GED preparation, computer training, business development, sustainability and wellness to residents of the Hilltowns and beyond. Walkers may register and donate on the SHAEC website at http://www.shaec.org, and encourage their sponsors to do the same.
Donations will also be accepted the day of the walk/hike. Please join us, and enjoy the beauty of Littleville. For more information, go to http://www.shaec.org or email Southernhilltownsaec@gmail.com
Prizes will be awarded to walkers raising the most money. Participants should meet at the boat launch parking lot at Littleville Dam. Take Route 112 to Littleville Rd, then turn right up Goss Hill rd. Dam is 7/10ths mile on the left.
Trail maintenance today with Westfield Wild and Scenic at the Keystone Arch Bridges Trail! Big thank you to everyone who came out!! #westernmasshilltownhikers
I have been getting requests for shirts so I ordered a few to start…look for these plus safety orange at the next group hike and soon to purchase on the website. #westernmasshilltownhikers
Friday November 17th 2017 we toured CM Gardner State Park in Huntington and Chester Blandford State Park and Campground with Commissioner Roy and Dom Sacco of the DCR from Boston. These places are closed state parks and campgrounds. Today all of us who each are a part of numerous civic associations in the Hilltowns networked together to help solve the problems we face now and give our input for what we want to see happen in the future, such as creating a connecting trail network throughout the Hilltowns, opening up Windsor State Forest, opening up the Chester Blandford Campground and having an outfitter on Route 20 with bike, ski and kayak rentals. Our open spaces and recreation areas are key in attracting tourists and boosting economic development in the hilltowns. We need to stay diligent and keep these places full of their natural beauty while also promoting them to visitors. Our natural resources are priceless and they attract home buyers, tourists and small business entrepreneurs. Commissioner Roy shares the same passion as us Hilltowners and listened to our ideas as well as informing us that the State will be investing more dollars in Western Mass in 2018. We will work closely with the DCR in the upcoming year to make improvements where needed and create some great new attractions here as well.
🌲 Special thank you to Derrick Mason of Russell organizing this event. Its not too often Western Mass gets some Boston attention. Wild n Scenic Westfield River, Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway Trail, Jacob’s Ladder Business Association, Highlands Footpath, Route 20 Association, the Town Of Huntington and Western Mass Hilltown Hikers all were a part of todays agenda.🌲 #supportthehilltownsofwesternmass
Pictured are Commissioner Roy and Dom Sacco of the DCR, Elizabeth Massa, Michele Kenney Bryan Farr Jeff Penn, Meredyth Babcock, Jeanne Mansfield LeClair, Linda Hamlin, Huntington Police Dept., Anne Wellington, Andrew Myers, Derrick Mason
Sunday afternoon hike and trail maintenance at the Keystone Arch Bridges Trail #westernmasshilltownhikers http://www.keystonearches.com
Trail maintenance at Keystone Arch Bridges Trail…update to the trail where everyone goes straight and ends up on the railroad tracks..never hike on or near the tracks, remember follow the KAB blazes! #westernmasshilltownhikers
http://www.keystonearches.com
No lack of amazing views of Lee and the Catskills at today’s hike at Monterey Land Trust on Mt. Hunger Road and we only hiked half of it, saw bear claw up a tree and deer running freely by us #westernmasshilltownhikers
SPECIAL NOTE FOR THE HIKE! Saturday February 23rd
Hi all I want to make sure everyone knows the trail conditions….as of today Monday February 18th the trailhead received an additional 4″ of snow, this is on top of the 6″ or so we had on the ground of ice covered fall through with your boot kinda snow. The parking lot at Chester Blandford State Forest on Round Hill is NOT plowed, however the road to it, the Cemetary, Park Knox Road and additional parking areas are plowed, there is still plenty of room to park. Please look out for the signs of where to park, there are a few places just steps away from the trailhead.
When you enter Round Hill Road there will be a parking lot on your right, if you go up the road a bit further there will be parking at the Cemetary and also parking along the road to the right of the Cemetary, your GPS will read Park Knox Road, you can park along there as well. The trailhead is to the left of the Cemetary. Please wear spikes or snowshoes and bring poles or going will be tough! This is a solid 2 hour in and back hike with no snow/ice on the ground, trail is a wide road and easy. Thanks for listening and hope to see you all Saturday!
