Frog Hollow & the old RR

Long LONG ago the railroad in Crescent Mills, Russell, came southward and crossed the Westfield River to it's west side. Hugging the base of Turtle Bend Mountain and eventually traveling down the route now occupied by Frog Hollow Road. I believe by 1860 that railroad route was left on the River's east side. A group of Hilltown Hikers covered this area which also plays host to part of Unkamit's Path. Evidence of a possible river crossing (such as abutments) was scant.

Later on, back more towards the center of Russell, we looked of a definite abutment leftover from the old trolley route through town.

Old Times in Middlefield

On a Sunday afternoon with a short amount of daylight to exploit. a small group of the Hikers descended upon Middlefield. This was near the southern end of where a succession of several reservoirs once existed for the benefit of factories in the nearby area. We rooted bout several old cellar holes the mill owners once occupied, one being 'modern' enough to have remnants of an ancient electrical system. We explored the nearby woods which itself was once the bottom of a reservoir!.

Just downstream from this area was an old CCC project that was going to resurrect a big reservoir for recreational purposes. Although that never came to be, one can see an old stone quarry, partial dam remains and a handful of drill bits left curiously standing in the ground. Out on the main road nearby were several foundations of the old mills.

Curious Geologic Offerings

Returning more to my 'roots' of a geologic theme, a trip into an area reported to have potholes of a possible unusual nature. Unusual they were! Where your everyday pothole is usually a vertical formation down into the rocks, these were formed along a horizontal axis and of a very large size. Right now their exact nature remains a mystery. One appears to be your traditional vertical pothole. But it is of an enormous size with partial collapse in areas around its circumference. Further study will be in the offering!

On the return to our cars, a chance to visit the first cemetery for this remote little Berkshire town.

The Mountain House and Old Mill sites

In the rural confines of the Town of Montgomery, once existed the Moore Mountain House (due note Mountain House Road). Atwater Moore had operated a whip shop along nearby Moose Meadow Brook. Establishment of the Westfield Reservoir eliminated the whip shop as well as other mills along Moose Meadow. On this day we covered all those sites, locating foundations, well sites, mill sluices and eventually following Moose Meadow Brook down to the Westfield Reservoir. After partially circumnavigating the Reservoir on a pretty indistinct trail, we were fed back out onto a woods road that would eventually take one down into Tekoa Mountain. However, our course lay back to the north towards our point of origin. Branching off into the woods a couple of times, a few old fountains were located. One (a probable school house) had an assortment of buried pottery and other artifacts.

Giving Thanks at Tekoa Park.

A beautiful late fall Thanksgiving morning brought me to the the borders of Westfield and Russell. Here lay Tekoa Park, an under used tract of public land I had seen marked on maps for many years. Thanks to our friends at the Hilltown Hikers, a blazed trail that followed much of a lot older trail can be used for access. A steep - but short - climb up a ridge will eventually take you to Hosmer Lookout. Several metal remnants remain, anchors to a tower that once existed. Sans foliage, there is an impressive view of majestic Tekoa Mountain across the Westfield River. Geologically, a possible old quarry site in the summit area and an old stone quarry site near the trailhead where one first enters the Park.

Chester. Oh, Chester!

Out in the wilds of Chester MA once again, is a lost burial site. A couple of previous attempts to find it by Hilltown Hikers had proved fruitless. With a larger group - and hopefully a bit more information - we descended near Chester Center The original center for the town pre railroad days.

A large tract of land was covered that constituted a pretty thorough search. But again, we left empty handed with three graves still hiding somewhere out there. As we parted ways with our noble hike leader Liz, several us us took off on our own exploring. Nearby was Hiram's Tomb so that was next on our agenda. We finished this trip with a visit to a quartz quarry right in Chester Center followed by the Center's cemetery. Here, one can find the parents of Hiram Smith (of Hiram's Tomb fame) resting away in a more conventional fashion.

School House Trail - Washington

Meeting once again with a small band of WMHH - or just the "Hilltown Hikers", as they like to use nowadays - we met on a back road in the sleepy little town of Washington. It was not far from our meet/hike on October 7th. We took the Schoolhouse Trail in a ways, seeing a town boundary marker and an old mill site. We were squeezed somewhat a bit for time this day, so a return was made via our route we had entered upon

All that is gneiss, may not be granite!

Good friend Gary had personal business down in Monson MA where his family had roots. I tagged along for the adventure, having explored the area several times in past years. While he attended to bushiness, I took a walk along the main road looking for any evidence of a rail line that once existed bring the famed Monson Granite (gneiss, really) down from a quarry to the rail line that still runs through town. Finding nothing, I returned and eventually set out with Gary to explore the cemetery and other features in the area.

Eventually we reached the site of the old quarry, mostly filled in, but conservation property presently. Hiking a few of the trails we did not definitively identify the old rail line site. We did see leftover blocks of stone from the old quarrying days and the area does provide an abundance of good hiking. Back at the entrance kiosk, a map was obtained that allowed a little more fruitful search for the rail line. So we moved our area slightly, located a good section of the old line route, and then headed out of town.

On the way home in Palmer we picked up an early dinner at a converted train station. Adjacent, is a site that once belonged to a Baptist church complete with a semi-underground grotto! The grotto had been filled in but now exists as a partially excavated project! The Turnpike was not far off and we we on our way home as the sun was now setting earlier and earlier.

Chester-Blandford State Forest

Meeting in the parking area for the Chester-Blandford State Forest, a group of WMHH set out making a terrifically steep climb along the H. Newman Marsh Trail. This led to several wonderful lookouts with still a descent amount of fall foliage to be seen. Wandering along the Trail further, we exited onto old wood roads. This eventually swung us back in the direction of our parking area, passing by an old CCC camp with intact chimney. A bit farther was a short side trail to Sanderson Brook Falls, another item that had escaped me over the years. A short walk got us back to our cars as the late season sun disappears quickly on these days.

The Keystone Arch Bridges (KAB)

An annual event for the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers is the Keystone Arch Bridges whose trail commences in Middlefield. Something like 75 people turned out for this event that I had hiked some time ago. However, on that occasion I had missed a couple of bridges due to my lack of familiarity with the area.

BUT bridges there were! An old quarry that produced rock for their building. The cellar hole of an old hermit who once inhabited the area lay alongside the old track route. And of course the beautiful Western Massachusetts scenery that comes at this time of year.

After another brief layoff to allow my foot and leg recovery time (honestly: this aging thing isn't working out so well) I though it good to test all the 'equipment'. That included a new waist pack to help make up for a recuperating shoulder.

On a Friday I met a few members of the Hilltown Hikers down Washington way for a hike into Finerty Pond. Most of it rolled smoothly. Some challenges from heavy gravel on the way in and significant tree routes along the Appalachian Trail on exiting.

The next day was a bit different story as we ascended the 'easy' route up Tekoa Mountain, leaving Westfield and entering Russell. I've always found this mountain challenged me but I was keen on seeing (the location, at least) of the fabled Counterfeiters Cave. As I expected, a very tough day of hiking with the Hilltown Hikers once again. But we eventually reached a prominent lookout where a number of people took turns descending by rope to the so called cave. Since there was zero chance I could make that climb, I made an early exit with a small group of individuals. Tough but beautiful hike all the way around!

The result of the two days of hiking showed up once again especially with the 'mystery bump' in my leg several days later. Medical science is mystified!

The Rollstone and Middlesex County sites

Finally arriving at the point I was able to walk and drive some distance, I made the Concord River in Middlesex County my eventual destination. Along the way across the State, I dropped by Fitchburg to view the location of the Rollstone Boulder. Or at least its location for almost the past hundred years. It once lay upon Rollstone Hill, was blasted apart, and reassemble on a small tract of land (traffic island) downtown.

Moving on to Middlesex County it was the Alarm Stone in Acton. This is a memorial boulder marking the home site (now just a cellar hole) of Captain Robbins and the first alarm given in Acton that the British regulars were coming. From here it was on to Bedford a bit of socializing with a friend before heading out to the Two Brothers Rocks. These are ancient land boundaries from 1638 when Massachusetts Governor John Winthrop, and Deputy Governor Thomas Dudley, met on the banks of the Concord River. The purpose was to divide up a large parcel of 2500 acres. In the late 1800s, their last names were carved into those boulders.

Making my way upstream (by land) to the Assabet River was the Town of Maynard. Perched in the near middle of the river is Nanny Goat Rock. The only explanation on this name is that at some point a nanny goat did make its way to the rock. True or not, is lost to history.

The day was finished up in Concord where much more was to be done. Accessing some of the most downstrean sections of the Assabet River, I made my way out to its junction with the Sudbury River and the origin of the Concord River. Along the way, one seemingly little know rock on the river bank carried an inscription to George Bradford Bartlett and dated 1886. But out at the junction of the two rivers was Egg Rock and inscription:

On the hill Nashawtuck
at the meeting of the rivers
and along the banks
lived the Indian owners of
Musketaquid
before the white men came

Late in the day I made my way down the Concord River for my first ever visit to the Old North Bridge and historic sites in the immediate surrounding lands. I had a quick appointment with a local gent at a nearby boat access, then it was on my way home! Later to realize I now had a foot with severe problems [sigh!]

Sidelined at Steepletop

Steepletop in New Marlborough was the destination. Once again joining the Hikers on what was to be an easy going hike due to the possible limitations of one member. Much to my own horror - it displayed my very own limitations! A fall, a dislocated shoulder, then a ride to the emergency room put me out of action for the foreseeable future.

Serpentine and Soapstone

Returning to the parking area for the Keystone Arch Bridges (KAB) in Chester. a small group of the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers met. A couple of us descended to the river to take a look at the double arched bridge before we began our journey up Babcock Brook. This is an area where one can spot serpentine in the streams with great regularity. It was not a long climb along the brook in terms of distance, but conditions still made it challenging. Sure there were rocks of serpentine, but also pot holes and old washing machines carelessly discarded.

Quarried areas of serpentine

Finally, we reached our destination which was the sought after serpentine quarry site. Little evidence remained other than a few rock cuts. Extracting ourselves from the deep stream gorge, we found the main road to walk back to our cars.

Entrance to the soapstone quarry

Moving on over to the next town, it was a visit to a major abandoned soapstone operation. For some reason I always end up here during the hottest - and buggiest - part of the summer. The larger section of the quarry was thankfully dry allowing for a full examination. Following the excavations northward, we found a secondary operation that did contain significant water. Upon returning to the road we ended the hike for this day.

Bryant

This hike at the Bryant Homestead in Cummington was largely an expanded version of the same one done last fall with naturalist Aimee Gelinas. We did the popular Rivulet Trail along with the Pine Loop. Back at the House, we hike along additional trails and roads to visit the Bryant Cemetery. We also poke our noses along an overgrown extension of Bryant Rd looking for a couple homestead/grave sites but realized this was better left for the non-foliage season of the year.

'Historical' remains on the Bryant Property

Snow on Gobble

Another boiling hot oppressive day! This was just a bit earlier in the morning and limited to the destination of the Snow Mine on the side of Gobble Mountain in Chester. Gobble is a VERY steep mountain but fortunately we did not have to climb perhaps more than 500 feet of elevation. The mine is located right along trail side so not too much poking around - at first. But later on we sought out a couple of prospect sites nearby.

Silted in entrance to the Snow Mine

After looking over the mine, which at this point is basically a water filled hole silted in, nearby mine dumps and small cuts rounded out the exploration on this site. With the temperature climbing we made a quick descent to the comfort of air conditioned cars.

A Secret!

A typical cave passage with Gary and guide

Hard as it is to believe - Secret Caverns over in Cobleskill NY is place that just slipped through the cracks! A lesser know commercial enterprise than the nearby Howe Caverns, friend Gary was up for an adventure to the Empire State. We arrived at the entrance building a bit early and scouted around all the exhibits. At the appointed time we left through a rear entrance crossed a short distance to a set of stairs and covered walkway. Going down into a sinkhole that contained the original natural entrance, we made our way deep into the bowels of the Earth! Passing all sorts of nifty formations, often with illustrious names, the commercial accessible part of our adventure ended where a gigantic waterfall plunges from above. It is know this water exits into a whole other cave system and Secret may even have a connection with Howe Caverns itself!

Original entrance where two cows once fell through

After extracting ourselves from said Earthly bowels, we walked the grounds observing several various karst features. Lunch and a local gift shop followed. We ended up over at Howe Caverns but the wait for the cave tour was long so settled for just poking around the gift shop. Another satisfying day to get this one crossed off my list of places to visit!

Baking in the Sun.

On a boiling hot day - one of the hottest this summer - one group of the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers went down to the Ice Gulch/Gorge off the Appalachian Trail. Another, including myself, Tom, and Karen, took on one of the Hilltowns. This was purposely meant to be a relatively easy hike and we did five old cemeteries and the Indian Oven. Except for the brutalizing sun and its accompanying heat, our objectives were met without much exertion.

Western Mass Hilltown Hikers join the Northern Berkshire Mineral Club at the old emery mines. Rocks galore! Shafts and tailing piles left from the old operations.

Moving on to Chesterfield, we accessed the Indian Hollow area where camping can be found. Crossing the Dead Branch River right near its intersection with the Westfield River, we now entered Huntington and the ending point of last weeks long sojourn from the Knighville Dam to this river crossing. Not far further, we once again saw the old charcoal kiln remnants eventually making our way to the beginning of a trail to The Pinnacle. Here we met fellow member Karen,who had started out hours earlier in Knightville, walking towards us. Most of the members went on to The Pinnacle, I walked back to the kilns and across the river with Karen.

Them old emery mines and on to Indian Hollow!

Dayna and Sadie (Liz: background) @ charcoal kiln remains

Another Western Mass Hilltown Hikers event. Taking an extended route from Knightville and the Knightville Dam property, all the way to Indian Hollow near its intersection with the Westfield River. Along the way were a couple of early resident foundations. That included the foundation of an old silo. Slightly before reaching the Dead Branch River, we got the opportunity to visit the site of a couple old charcoal kilns. Then a LONG walk back!

Remains of old 1800s dam that busted

A majority of the hikes that I've done with the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers carry some historical interest. Which works just fine with my own interests that I've been engaged with for the past quarter century. On this very hot Saturday the WMHH joined with Alec Gillman DCR Interpretive Coordinator. The following description is written by fellow WMHH member Tom Hoffman:

"Once upon a time, Middlefield had many prosperous woolen mills on Factory Brook, along lower Town Hill Rd. After a severe downpour in July of 1874, those mills ceased to exist.

Three reservoirs provided water for the mills, that were along the brook. The Lower Reservoir was the biggest (100 acres) at the intersection of Town Hill and Reservoir Rds. The next one farther up was called, appropriately enough, the Upper Reservoir (25 acres) The final impoundment was Goose Pond (10 acres), very close to the Peru border. Yesterday the WMHH’S had the pleasure of a guided tour led by DCR’s Alec Gilman, to the site of these 3 washed out dams. We started at a field on Skyline Trail, that is across the street from a house owned by Harry Meacham. On that day, Harry looked out across the field from his home, and could see something was amiss with Factory Brook (no trees back them). Harry took of in the direction of Goose Pond, and found that the stone dam had collapsed. Running back to warn people down stream, he passed the earthen dam at the Upper Reservoir, which was starting to collapse.

Harry and two other men were able to warn the inhabitants and workers of lower Factory Brook about the oncoming flood, which by now had breached the biggest dam at Lower Reservoir, (135 total acres of water!) Thanks to Meachams and others heroics, there was no loss of life! The many mills along lower Factory Brook did not fare as well. The stone arch railroad bridge at the bottom of the brook in Bancroft also was damaged, as well as more downstream in the Westfield River. Woolen production in Middlefield never recovered."

After trailing through the woods of Middlefield, seeing old reservoir and dam sites, we regrouped at the nearby town hall. A brief journey of a mile and a quarter to the west brought us to the location of old Factory Hollow. Scarcely anything remains as a testimony to history past. We did find one old factory foundation and a dam abutment before adjourning for the day.

Otis Falls from an early 1900s postcard

Back with the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers. This trip to the far southern regions of Berkshire County and Otis. Meeting at the expansive Otis Reservoir, we quickly dove into the woods, following the reservoirs outlet, to access Otis Falls. A beautiful testimony to nature, the falls were not surprisingly low on water. After a bit of cavorting about the top of the falls, there was a descending trail that gave us a good view from the bottom. One could easily imagine the majesty the Falls would present at high water. The trail continued on to Larkin Pond where private property impeded further progress.

A somewhat dry Otis Falls

Back to the cars, a short drive south brought us in the adjacent Town of Tolland and the Tolland State Forest. Two hikes ensued from this point: one took us around the perimeter of campgrounds, a peninsula that juts out into Otis Reservoir. One very old cemetery (mostly the Clark Family) exists within the campground territory. The second hike took us on a nature trail that followed reservoir shoreline before turning more into the deeper woods. One old quarry was encountered that you could only guess as to its purpose. The exploration ended just as thunderstorms started rolling through western Massachusetts.

Part of the old Clark cemetery

It's a small contingent of the Hilltown Hikers once again. This time exploring an entirely different section of the Peru State forest in the town of Worthington. We had reports of a mill and/or possible gold mining operation. We ascended along a tributary to the Middle Branch Westfield River (some refer to this as Lost Brook) and few signs of activity were encountered. These included pieces of rail, a pulley, and assorted odds and ends. Later on, hiking partner Tom concluded from a topo map, that a telephone line ran through this area. Once back out on the main road we walked a ways south looking for a reported entrance to a trial that ran along Fuller Brook. Nothing came out of this jaunt. But on the way home, Tom and myself decided to check a different section of Fuller Brook at a much higher elevation that the Westfield River branch. This did bear fruit as a steep gorge with magnificent waterfall were present. Some old foundations and stonework were present near the falls. But it was not exactly clear as to their original purpose. According to one old map, this area was the site of the purported gold mining operations.

Memorial day brought the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers with myself to the Peru State Forest. Or at least one particular section of it. The goal first up, was a memorial built to plane crash victims on the night of August 15, 1942. After finishing up here, it was on to Garnet Peak itself. Despite foliage cover, there was still some fine views westward. And yes, garnets could be found within the rocks of the surrounding forest.

Picking up again with the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, the object of our adventure was the Conway State Forest. We were accompanied by local resident/expert Pauline along old roads from early in the town's history. We passed a site where a schoolhouse once existed, eventually arriving at the small, well kept, Maynard Cemetery. Across the road was a beautiful cellar hole in superb condition.

We had contemplated visiting Cricket Hill Cave (my last visit: 2008) but passed by its access point as we rambled southward. Continuing on down along Avery Brook we 'bottomed out' in elevation. Here some members elected to take the shortest route north to the cars, completing a circuit of Cricket Hill. A few members went on to check old mill sites further downstream.

On the drive home, my hiking partner, Tom, and I stopped by to looked at Hampshire County's Counterfeiters Cave. Which has once again had its entrance blocked with a large boulder. It had been open for a short period around 2015 and explored by local cavers along with Rhode Island friend Mike.

Again, it's the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers with explorations were into sections of the Huntington State Forest. Old roads were traveled. Old settlement sites, sought out. A pleasant day of discovery among a 'typical' (are they ever?) woodland setting. An old abandoned cabin, terribly beat up (of course!), was stumbled upon. Old mill sites, from the long ago past, with ruins still exist.

Afterwards, an attempt was made to find a reported 'Indian oven' in the area. This proved unsuccessful. :(

Meeting up with members of the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, explorations were continued along a former section of the Huckleberry Trolley Line. This started by accessing an old, abandoned, section of the Lee Westfield Turnpike. The walking started out a bit tough, but soon we entered a more defined section of the former road. An old cellar hole of a long ago resident was encountered as well as magnificent old trees that lined the old lane. Soon we had made our way to the Massachusetts Turnpike. This, being on its southern side from our 5/6 trek along the former trolley route north of the Mass Pike.

A slight bushwhack north, the actual Huckleberry Line route was discovered, which made for a mostly pleasant walk back southeast to Johnson Rd in Becket. We then poked around a few locations along the Becket border with Otis hoping to find other signs of the old Huckleberry but were mostly unsuccessful.

A trolley, a gorillia, rabbits and schoolhouses!

Returning back to the southern Berkshires, after just a few days respite, I called upon my old (and too often neglected) 'cave man' skills. A further, better equipped , investigation into the site of the former Huckleberry Trolley tunnel was undertaken. This passed as a relatively routine experience leaving me only to find my way eastward into the Tyringham Valley.

Rabbit Rock - near the base of Tryingham Cobble

I had enough time to make a quick stop at Gorilla Rock, then on to the Cobble! After the recent experience in Monterey with Elephant Rock, I felt incentivized to follow up with another look at Rabbit Rock. The geologic map showed a slightly different scenario with actual beds of marble near the base of the Cobble. I did not see anything in the way of definitive marble. But Rabbit Rock did provided a vigorous fizz under the acid test (more so than Elephant) and had more pronounced potmarking upon it.

Boulder where a schoolhouse once was built

Gathering up my evidence, I moved on from the Rabbit to the Schoolhouse. Or the namesake boulder that once had a school next to it. MANY years since I first laid eyes upon this Big Boy leftover from the last ice age. I was treated to meeting the owner then finished up my day visiting my sometimes partner Gary at his new home in Lee.

Clang... clang... clang... went the trolley!

Once again joining the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, this day's explorations was my first view of the the old Huckleberry Trolley line. Or more accurately, what remains on its former route. Our journey began with the Jacob's Ladder Trail and (appropriately named) Huckleberry Lane. Working our way southeast we eventually ended up where the Massachusetts Turnpike obliterated the old route. Along the way, old culverts (dated 1911) were some of what remains in the way of relics. Here and there parts of the old electrical system and posts, conveying that electricity, might be seen. At the last point east (quite adjacent to the Pike) we did find an old corner boundary marker for the towns of Becket and Otis.

'O' for Otis side of the boundary

After making our way back near our point of origin, the site of an old tunnel, that was for the trolley's use, could be located under Jacob's Ladder. At least one end. The other had been completely covered and totally disguised. We continued to work towards the the northwest which led to elevated fill and rock cuts. An effort to reduce the grade that the trolley would have to traverse. Near some of the rock cuts, large piles of stone still lay from the days the trolley passed on through. This section was much more of a bonanza in terms of seeing old poles, wires, and wooden insulators. All part of making the Huckleberry Line a success during its limited lifetime. And yes - huckleberries were seen, beginning their first shoots of spring!

One of the old poles that carried electricity

(Note: rock pile behind)

Hunger and the Elephant

A new year. A new season. And further experiments into the experience of aging! ;) So I rolled on down through the Tyringham Valley, passing Gorilla Rock and Rabbit Rock.

Today's adventure brought me to the southern Berkshires, joining the Western Mass Hilltown Hikers in Monterey. The hike took us into a section of the Beartown State Forest, visiting the Mount Hunger Cemetery, and eventually climbing the steep Mt. Hunger itself.

Elephant Rock - early 1900s postcard

The 'geologic portion' of the trip was a short drive to local landmark Elephant Rock. Its been years since I last visited this magnificent boulder and I wished to determine if it be marble or not. The old favorite acid test did react positively but indications (at least at this early point in time) are it may be what it was thought originally: sandstone. BUT, a sandstone with a small calcium carbonate mix.

The final stop was to the shores of Lake Garfield to ponder furture hiking and kayaking in the area.