Knox Trail Otis with the National Parks Service narrated by Tom Ragusa Special Event
May 7 @ 1:00 pm - 4:30 pm
#hikethehilltowns with us!
May 7th, 2023
Knox Trail Otis 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
GPS 42.175683, -73.063875 Hike Start and Parking along Norton Road Extension in Otis drive to the end and look for our tent.
We will start on Norton Road in Otis and hike on the Knox Trail to Route 8 in Otis. Hike Rating: Easy to Moderate, approximately 2.8 miles in and back
Narrated by Mr. Tom Ragusa, local historian and retired DCR. During the winter of 1775-1776 General George Washington held the high ground around Boston while the British were firmly in control of the city. If Washington had artillery, he could dislodge the British and retake Boston. The nearest available artillery was at Fort Ticonderoga, which was under Continental Army control, in up-state New York.
General Henry Knox then was commissioned, in December 1775, by General Washington to secure these artillery pieces and transport them from New York, through Massachusetts, to Dorchester Heights outside Boston. To do this General Knox successfully crossed the Berkshire Mountains and several large rivers, in winter, with fifty-nine pieces of artillery. When the artillery arrived in Boston, in early March 1776, General Howe realized the hopelessness of his position and evacuated the city.
We will go back in time with Mr. Tom Ragusa in Otis to hike those same steps. Tom has spent 30 years working on achieving National Historic Designation for the Knox Trail. This event is in collaboration with the National Parks Service, Springfield Armory National Historic Site. Learn more at Massachusetts (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) and Springfield Armory National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Please Register per carload on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Hike is free and volunteer lead; suggested donation is $5.00. Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs are allowed. Please bring hiking poles and a snack. We hike rain or shine. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com. Be prepared for muddy conditions, some road walking, and deep woods.
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Tees, hoodies, hats, window stickers, patches and photos will be for sale at the hike, the complete free catalog of printed hiking maps will be there too. See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com
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Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
