All posts by Ben Kimball

Ben Kimball is a New England-based writer, runner, and photographer.

EASTERN MASS, SITE 3: Mt. Watatic

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Eastern Massachusetts guidebook (Ben Kimball 2022, UMASS Press).

Site 3 Map: Watatic

Suggested Route Distance: 3.5 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2021)
Wapack / Midstate Trail on Mt. Watatic
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Panoramic view at the top of Mt. Watatic
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
trail racing along the Wapack Trail at Mt. Watatic
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
rock passage at Mt. Watatic
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Watatic signage
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
steep rocky trail on the side of Mt. Watatic
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Open ledges along the Wapack Trail on Nutting Hill, looking towards Mt. Watatic

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Eastern Massachusetts guidebook (2022), please visit a local bookseller or order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or UMASS Press.

All photos copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.

EASTERN MASS, SITE 2: Brooks Preserve

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Eastern Massachusetts guidebook (Ben Kimball 2022, UMASS Press).

Site 2 Map: Brooks Preserve

Suggested Route Distance: 4.7 Miles

Photo Copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Moccasin Brook Trail at Brooks Woodland Preserve
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
winter at the Brooks Preserve
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
wildlife at the Brooks Preserve
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
meadow near the southern end of Burn’s Farm Trail at Brooks Woodland Preserve
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Tumbledown South trail at the Brooks Woodland Preserve
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Big Pine Trail at Brooks Woodland Preserve
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Stone walls and glacial erratics in the forest at the Brooks Preserve

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Eastern Massachusetts guidebook (2022), please visit a local bookseller or order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or UMASS Press.

All photos copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.

Eastern Mass, Site 1: Tully Lake

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Eastern Massachusetts guidebook (Ben Kimball 2022, UMASS Press).

Site 1 Map: Tully Lake

Suggested Route Distance: 4.4 Miles

copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Tully Lake Loop Trail across Tully Dam
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Tully Lake Trail
Photo Copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Tully Lake
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
“Bike Trail” along a marshy stretch of Tully River north of Tully Lake
Jacobs Hill Trail / Tully Trail north of Tully Lake
Copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Doane’s Falls along the Tully Lake Loop Trail
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Springtime at Tully Lake
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Trail racing along the western shore of Tully Lake
copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Old-school Tully Trail marker

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Eastern Massachusetts guidebook (2022), please visit a local bookseller or order from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or UMASS Press.

All photos copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.

Western Mass, Site 51: Peaked Mountain

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Western Massachusetts guidebook (Kimball 2015, UPNE).

Site 51 Map: Peaked Mountain icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 4.5 Miles for both loops

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Typical section of singletrack trail at Peaked Mountain in Monson

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Vista ledge along the Valley View Trail at Peaked Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2020)
Running along the ridge just below the summit of Peaked Mtn.

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Forest Loop Trail at Peaked Mountain’s Miller Tract

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Lunden Pond at Peaked Mountain’s Miller Tract

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Lunden Pond at Peaked Mountain’s Miller Tract

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Temple Brook Loop trail at Peaked Mountain’s Miller Tract

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Temple Brook Loop trail at Peaked Mountain’s Miller Tract

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2020)
Running up the rugged patch along the Valley View Trail just below the summit of Peaked Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Ruth’s Mountain Road trail on Peaked Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The West Rock Trail at Peaked Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2020)
Running along the ridge just below the summit of Peaked Mtn.

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2020)
Typical section of wide doubletrack trail at Peaked Mountain in Monson

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2020)
Sandy section of trail about half a mile from the summit of Peaked Mountain

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Western Massachusetts guidebook (May 2015), please click here (Amazon), here (Barnes & Noble), or here (the publisher). Or better yet, pick it up at a locally-owned bookseller!

All photos copyright 2014 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.

Western Mass, Site 50: Minnechaug Mountain

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Western Massachusetts guidebook (Kimball 2015, UPNE).

Site 50 Map: Minnechaug Mountain icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 5 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Southwestern view from Goat Rock

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along Bob’s Trail at Minnechaug Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Minnechaug Mountain Conservation Land sign

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
West-facing vista at the top of Minnechaug Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along Kathy’s Trail at Minnechaug Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along Algonquin Trail at Minnechaug Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail sign at Minnechaug Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along Bob’s Trail at Minnechaug Mountain

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Western Massachusetts guidebook (May 2015), please visit a local bookseller or click here (Amazon), here (Barnes & Noble), or here (the publisher).

All photos copyright 2014 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.

Western Mass, Site 49: Robinson State Park

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Western Massachusetts guidebook (Kimball 2015, UPNE).

Site 49 Map: Robinson State Park icon_pdf

Robinson east side inset map icon_pdf

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Typical winding singletrack trail at Robinson State Park in Agawam

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail through dry upland forest on the flat, higher terrace at Robinson State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Playground of trails and bridges by a brook in Robinson State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Swooping singletrack at Robinson State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Afternoon shadows along a trail above the Westfield River at Robinson State Park (East Side) in spring

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Section of trail beneath powerlines at Robinson State Park

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Western Massachusetts guidebook (May 2015), please visit a local bookseller or click here (Amazon), here (Barnes & Noble), or here (the publisher).

All photos copyright 2014 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.

Western Mass, Site 48: Stanley Park

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Western Massachusetts guidebook (Kimball 2015, UPNE).

Site 48 Map: Stanley Park icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 3 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Woodland trails of Stanley Park

Floating trail bridge at Stanley Park

Woodland trails of Stanley Park

Woodland trails of Stanley Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Late afternoon on the winding trails of the Frank Stanley Beveridge Wildlife Sanctuary in Westfield, MA

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
On the trails at Stanley Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Boardwalk section of trail at Stanley Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Riverside trail at Stanley Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along the River at Stanley Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail bridge at Stanley Park

copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Stanley Park trails

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Western Massachusetts guidebook (May 2015), please visit a local bookseller or click here (Amazon), here (Barnes & Noble), or here (the publisher).

All photos copyright 2014 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.

Western Mass, Site 47: East Mountain

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Western Massachusetts guidebook (Kimball 2015, UPNE).

Site 47 Map: East Mountain icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 4.5 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Metacomet-Monadnock Trail (M-M Trail / NET Trail) along the crest of East Mountain in early May

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail system entrance sign at Holyoke Community College

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
A rare east-facing view along the M-M Trail on East Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trolley Trail just west of the Holyoke Community College campus

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trolley Trail near the intersection with Hellgate Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Ridgetop vista along the Hoco Co Express Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along the Fraidey Kat Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
M-M Trail on East Mountain in Holyoke

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Glacial erratic boulder along the M-M Trail on the crest of East Mountain

Bonus Site (borders the southern end of site 47)
Ashley Pond area (Holyoke/West Springfield)

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Western Massachusetts guidebook (May 2015), please visit a local bookseller or click here (Amazon), here (Barnes & Noble), or here (the publisher).

All photos copyright 2014 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.

Western Mass, Site 46: Chicopee State Park

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Western Massachusetts guidebook (Kimball 2015, UPNE).

Site 46 Map: Chicopee State Park icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 4.5 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail along Cooley Brook at Chicopee Memorial State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Singletrack trail rising along the bank above the brook on the west side of Chicopee Memorial State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail along Cooley Brook at Chicopee Memorial State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
Pond and beach at Chicopee Memorial State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
Singletrack trail through the pines at Chicopee Memorial State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
Typical width of the singletrack at Chicopee Memorial State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
Typical character of the winding singletrack trail at Chicopee Memorial State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
Trail bridge over the upper reaches of Cooley Brook in the northern part of Chicopee Memorial State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
“The Desert”; a sandpit in the somewhat remote northern part of Chicopee Memorial State Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Entrance sign

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Western Massachusetts guidebook (May 2015), please visit a local bookseller or click here (Amazon), here (Barnes & Noble), or here (the publisher).

All photos copyright 2014 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.

Western Mass, Site 45: Quabbin Park

This map is intended to be used in conjunction with the site profile text in the TRAIL RUNNING Western Massachusetts guidebook (Kimball 2015, UPNE).

Site 45 Map: Quabbin Park icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 3+ Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
View from the south shore of the Quabbin Reservoir

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Old Enfield Road at Quabbin Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail along the north side of Quabbin Hill

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail along the south shore of the Quabbin Reservoir

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The view from Enfield Lookout at Quabbin Park

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail on the east side of Quabbin Hill

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Grassy woods road at Quabbin Park

To purchase either a hardcopy or ebook version of the Trail Running Western Massachusetts guidebook (May 2015), please visit a local bookseller or click here (Amazon), here (Barnes & Noble), or here (the publisher).

All photos copyright 2014 by Ben Kimball unless otherwise noted.