A hairpin turn along the upper section of Roller CoasterDark forest along the lower section of the Roller Coaster trail at Batchelor StreetBeneath conifers on the start of Entrance Exam at the Batchelor Street trailsSwooping singletrack along the lower portion of the Serpentine Trail at Batchelor StreetAt the Lower Access / Upper Access trail split, about a quarter mile north of the parking areaJunked car remains at the unmarked start of IMBA Access Trail (left) just north of the Lower Access / Upper Access splitAlong a flattish section of upper Roller CoasterA particularly pleasant section of the Private Investigations trail.
NOTE: In the “Nearby” text of the profile for this site, several unofficial trail names are given. The Private Investigations trail should be added to that list.
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.
Rattlesnake Knob in the late afternoonRecently re-routed section of the M-M/Robert Frost Trails beneath powerlines near The Notch in the Holyoke RangeWintertime view from ledges near the summit of Mt. Norwottuck in the Holyoke RangeThe Robert Frost Trail gently rises and falls as it traverses the north slope of Mt. NorwottuckMultiple trails, each marked with a different colored blaze, share the same route for about a quarter of a mile just east of The NotchA tight squeeze where the M-M Trail passes though the Horse Caves on the east side of Mt. Norwottuck
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.
Singletrack through a forest cove at Earl’s TrailsTypical stretch of trail at Earl’s Trails, with bridgeA fairly standard swoopy trail at Earl’s TrailsThe fenced-in bunker below Bare Mtn.Flat portion of doubletrack trail along an old road near the Hadley ReservoirsThrough the woods at Earl’s TrailsPathside wildflower orchid at Earl’s 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.
Westward view from an open ledge along the Seven Sisters portion of the M-M Trail in the Holyoke RangeLithia Springs Reservoir and the south side of the Seven Sisters from Black RockConglomerate Rock in Skinner State ParkThe Summit House on top of Mt. HolyokeA runner descends into Taylor Notch on the M-M TrailThe M-M Trail / Halfway Trail just west of the summit of Mt. HolyokeSnowshoeing an open ridge portion of the M-M Trail on Mt. Holyoke in February (Note: As of 2015, the trail has been re-routed down off this particular stretch of the ridge in order to protect sensitive species habitat).
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.
Bray Loop Trail along the east side of Lake BrayLake Bray at Mt. Tom State ReservationUniversal Access Trail at Lake BrayBray Loop Trail at Mt. Tom State ReservationBridge over Bray Brook near the south shore of Lake Bray
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.
Ridgerunning the M-M Trail along the cliffs of Mt. TomM-M Trail at Mt. TomCascade Brook at Mt. TomRunning along the M-M Trail above the western cliffs of Mt. Tom in AprilThe rocky and rooty (but switchbacky and fun-to-run) Kay-Bee Trail at Mt. TomRunning on Mt. TomRunning on Mt. TomLate afternoon on a mid-summer Mt. Tom trail runRidgerunning on Mt. TomTrail along the western shore of Whiting Reservoir near the south end of Mt. Tom
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.
Summit Trail across the crest of Mineral HillsOld quarry at the Mineral Hills Conservation AreaMarsh Marigold in bloom during early May at the Mineral Hills Conservation AreaTrailside bench near the high point at Mineral Hills Conservation AreaTrail at Mineral Hills Conservation AreaIntersection signs at Mineral HillsBridges over a wet area along the access trail into Mineral Hills Conservation Area from Sylvester Road
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.
Boardwalk section of trail at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation AreaFitzgerald LakeBoggy Meadow Road at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation AreaLakeside trail at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation AreaBridge on the western half of the Loop Trail near the eastern edge of Fitzgerald Lake Conservation AreaAlong the western end of the Lake Trail at Fitzgerald Lake Conservation AreaBridge along the Halfway Brook Trail in the northeastern section of the siteAlong the Marian Street TrailAlong the Marian Street Trail near junction with the spur trail to the wildlife blind
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.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Spring 2017: Recent timber operations on the southwest side of Mt. Orient have significantly changed the appearance of the forest there, but the Robert Frost Trail is still well-blazed and easy to follow.
Bridge over Amethyst Brook.View across the Pioneer Valley to the Holyoke Range from the ledges of Mt. Orient.Amethyst BrookRobert Frost Trail along Amethyst BrookInto the woods by the community gardens near the trailhead at Amethyst BrookAmethyst Brook along the trail at Buffum Falls Conservation AreaAlong the trail at the Buffum Falls Conservation Area
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.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Spring 2017: Recent timber operations on the north side of Pulpit Hill have made it somewhat difficult to follow about a 0.25-mile stretch of the Robert Frost Trail there (just south of the powerline crossing). Take care when navigating there, and look for remaining orange blazes.
The Robert Frost Trail on Pulpit Hill above Puffers PondThe loop trail at Eastman Brook Conservation AreaThe trail around PuffersPondBoardwalk route at the Lower Mill River Conservation Area near Puffers PondThe Robert Frost Trail on the north side of Pulpit Hill near Puffers PondMore board bridges at the Mill River Conservation AreaWoodland path along the Mill River below Puffers PondEllsworth Barnard Trail loop at Eastman Brook Conservation Area
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.
