All posts by Ben Kimball

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

Western Mass, Site 34: Sugarloaf 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 34 Map: Sugarloaf Mountain icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 4+ Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
South Sugarloaf and the Connecticut River from North Sugarloaf
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along the trail on the east side of North Sugarloaf
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
View of the Connecticut River and the Holyoke Range from South Sugarloaf
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Westward view from the open ledge near the summit of North Sugarloaf
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Running at North Sugarloaf Mountain
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Southern end of the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail at South Sugarloaf Mtn.
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
A section of smooth doubletrack trail at North Sugarloaf
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
Singletrack at North Sugarloaf Mtn.
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Pocumtuck Ridge Trail near the summit of South Sugarloaf Mtn.

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 33: Mt. Toby

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 33 Map: Mt. Toby icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 5 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Mt. Toby Trail Run (an annual trail race tradition)
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Robert Frost Trail on Cranberry Ridge at Mt. Toby
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Running up Tower Road at Mt. Toby
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
About halfway up Tower Road on Mt. Toby
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The gentle lower section of Tower Road at Mt. Toby
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Springtime cascades along Gunn Brook on the west side of Mt. Toby
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Cranberry Pond below Mt. Toby

BONUS SITE: Bull Hill (Mt. Toby south) (Sunderland)

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 32: Wendell State Forest

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 32 Map: Wendell State Forest icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 5.5 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Late afternoon on the lower portion of the Lookout Trail at Wendell State Forest
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Whale Head rock at Wendell State Forest
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Ruggles Pond Loop Trail at Wendell State Forest
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
At one of the “Look Out” ledge vistas along the ridge at Wendell State Forest
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Metacomet-Monadnock (M-M) Trail / New England Trail (NET) at Wendell State Forest
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along the Carlton-Dirth Trail at Wendell State Forest


BONUS SITE: Mormon Hollow loop at Wendell State Forest

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 31: Mt. Grace

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 31 Map: Mt. Grace icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 5.5 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
View from the fire tower on top of Mt. Grace
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along the M-M Trail on Little Mt. Grace
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail junction along the Round-the-Mountain Trail on the east side of Mt. Grace
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Southwest-facing vista from Little Mt. Grace
Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail sign at Ohlson Memorial Field on the east side of Mt. Grace
the fire tower on top of Mt. Grace
Around the Mountain Trail at Mt. Grace
NET just south of the summit of Mt. Grace
Around the Mountain Trail at Mt. Grace

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 30: Northfield 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 30 Map: Northfield Mountain icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 6.2 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Lower portion of the doubletrack Tooleybush Turnpike trail at Northfield Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The winding road of 10th Mountain Trail at Northfield Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Spring along the powerline portion of 10th Mountain Trail at Northfield Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Lots of trails to choose from at Northfield Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Connector path to the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail from the Northfield Mountain trail system

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Stairs to Nowhere at Rose Ledge on Northfield Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
“The Chute” section of the Tooleybush Turnpike Trail at Northfield Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Singletrack trail at Northfield Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
(Temporary?) boardwalk planks along the powerline section of 10th Mountain Division Trail at Northfield Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
Snowshoe running on singletrack trails at Northfield Mountain

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Signpost at Northfield 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 29: Greenfield Ridge

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 29 Map: Greenfield Ridge icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 5 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Sachem Head near the southern end of Greenfield Ridge

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
A pleasant section of trail along the northern part of Greenfield Ridge

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Typical stretch of trail along the crest of Greenfield Ridge

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Greenfield from the vista at Poets Seat

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Red Trail along Bears Den Road on the southeast side of Greenfield Ridge

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Sachem Head stairs

photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
A section of the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail near Poet’s Seat

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 28: Colrain Ridge Trail

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 28 Map: Colrain Ridge icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 4 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Colrain Ridge Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
View from the powerline swath along the Colrain Ridge Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Along the Colrain Ridge Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Colrain Ridge Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Southern end of the Colrain Ridge Trail at Chandler Hill Cemetery

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 27: Mahican-Mohawk Trail

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 27 Map: Mahican-Mohawk Trail icon_pdf
(large file; may take a while to load)

IMPORTANT NOTICE: The middle section of this site, from Conway Station Rd to Bardwells Ferry, is currently closed. The smaller of the two washouts along the old road bed (the one without a trail relocation yet) has apparently eroded just far enough that the trail there is considered unsafe. There is currently no re-route, but hopefully there will be soon! The eastern and western segments of this site are still open (however, the powerline crossings at the eastern end are somewhat overgrown and the trail needs some maintenance). 

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Scenic stretch of the Deerfield River as seen from the Mahican-Mohawk Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Railroad bridge over the Deerfield River as seen from the Mahican-Mohawk Trail north of Bardwell’s Ferry

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Mahican-Mohawk Trail passes through a rock cut in Deerfield

A singletrack section of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail above the Deerfield River

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Polly’s Crossing bridge over the South River in Conway

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
A rugged section of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail in Shelburne

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Log stairs along the western part of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail in Shelburne

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Mossy section of trail above the dam along the Deerfield River in Shelburne

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Deerfield River from the Mahican-Mohawk Trail

A singletrack section of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail above the Deerfield River

A singletrack section of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail above the Deerfield River

A singletrack section of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail above the Deerfield River

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Cascading forest stream (Sluice Brook) at the current northern end of this portion of the Mahican-Mohawk Trail in Shelburne

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 26: Bear Swamp Reservation

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 26 Map: Bear Swamp Reservation icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 3 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Open water and marsh as seen from the Beaver Brook Trail at Bear Swamp Reservation

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
Rich forest wildflowers along the Lookout Trail at Bear Swamp

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Irises at the Orchard Outlook

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Berkshire vista at the end of the Orchard Outlook spur

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
The Beaver Brook Trail at Bear Swamp

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
Cascade and pool along Beaver Brook at Bear Swamp

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2015)
The Lookout Trail briefly pops out on a ledge with a partial view above Bear Swamp

copyright 2021 by Ben Kimball
Snowshoe running at Bear Swamp Reservation

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Trail signs at Bear Swamp Reservation

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Bear Swamp Reservation trailhead

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 25: Two Bridges Trail

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 25 Map: Two Bridges Trail icon_pdf

Suggested Route Distance: 5 Miles

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Bridge at the crossing of Chapel Brook along the Two Bridges Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Scenic seat along the Pebble Trail at the Bullitt Reservation

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Chapel Falls along Chapel Brook

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
Wildflowers along the Pebble Trail at TTOR’s Bullitt Reservation

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
The Two Bridges Trail

Photo by Ben Kimball (copyright 2014)
View from Chapel Ledge on Pony Mtn. just to the west of Chapel Brook Falls

Bonus Site profile:
Chapel Brook to D.A.R. Trail
Connects Site 24 and Site 25

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.