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)