Mt Tom Ridge Walk

Mt. T

Rock Scramble  ©wsstern

Mt. Tom Ridge Walk

Easthampton, MA 01027

©wsstern

Reservation Road, Easthampton, MA 01027

or Christopher Clark Rd., Easthampton, MA.

Hike time: As long or as short as you wish--Trail goes for miles and hooks up with other trails.
      Difficulty:  Moderate with terrific views
      Minimum:  1 hour round trip for views
      Maximum: hours and hours of linked trails throughout the park
      Good for kids with experience
Note: Park closes at 8 pm summer or 6 pm before Memorial Day and after Labor Day. Yes, they close the gates! There are places to park outside the gates if you so desire.      
Last hiked: September 2014 

$2.00 entry fee between Memorial Day and Labor Day, or Life Time Senior Pass for MA residents to all state parks available for $10.00 at Reservation Rd. entry

Ridge Overlook  © wsstern

Mt. Tom is a well known Massachusetts state park along the Connecticut River. I'd hiked it years ago as a  new-comer. It's so close to home I ended up ignoring it, thinking I'd 'seen it all' in previous walks. What a mistake! Of the many trails available, the Ridge Walk (Metacoment-Monadnock Trail)   is one of my all time favorites anywhere in the world. And you don't have to do a lot of work to get to the magnificent scenery all along the 2 miles of stunning ridge views.

I've found using the M&M Trail access (Metacomet and Monadnock Trail) from the parking lot off of Christopher Clark Road is the easiest access--but not the only one by a long shot.

If you have Google Maps on a smart phone, you can find the trails marked on your mobile app.  The park provides a trail map which I suggest you carry. There are a variety of other ways to access the ridge, but this I have found to be the fastest way to hiker 'heaven.'

© wsstern

© wsstern

The ascent to the 2 mile-long ridge takes about 15 minutes. Then you pop up onto a trail packed with views and scrambles, climbs and rest stops. On one section of the cliffs parasail-ers take running leaps off the cliffs to float towards the valley floor hundreds of feet below.

©wsstern

How is this for kids? It's terrific for a somewhat seasoned young hikers who love to scamper and scramble over things but also have a sense of respect toward danger. Yes, you can fall over the side--no fences or bars to hold you back.

Mt. Warner Reservation, Mt. Warner Rd., Hadley, MA 01035

Mt. Warner Reservation, Hadley, MA  01035 

Statistics: 
5.8 miles from 'home.' (Northampton)
Mt. Warner: Trustees of Reservations Property
Last visited:  10/21/14
Website for details:  Trustees of Reservations Mt. Warner

Mt. Warner is a quiet walk through the woods on rambling hillsides 5.8 miles from the Northampton/Hadley MA line.This new, 500 acre Trustees of Reservations property
sits near Lake Warner and the Connecticut River, but does not link up to either body of water. The land is beautiful, with ups and downs. There is no specific ‘scenic’ site.

A single main loop trail of approximately 2 miles took me 1 ¼ hour to complete. There are a number of side trails that are for authorized access only and can be somewhat ‘confusing’ in terms of following the official loop. However, signage is placed at appropriate intersections. I found this important in explaining the side tracks versus the main loop.

I enjoyed the afternoon walk so close to home and with the sunlight filtering through the fall colors.  However, since I also walk with energetic and sometimes restless children, I would not pick this as a walk that might keep the kids from complaining, “Are we there yet?” I also would be hesitant to have them “run on a bit ahead” because of the evident side tracks that can resemble the regular trail too much. I actually got sidetracked myself. This is more what I would term a meditative walk for those who love outdoor beauty close to home. 

Directions:  Take Route 9 from the Coolidge Bridge over the Connecticut River into Hadley MA. (Exit 19 off I 91 north).  Follow it to Hadley center (about 2 miles), turn left at the light (Route 47--River Drive). Follow Rte. 47 to stockwell Rd. (about 5 miles), Turn right, go to the end, turn right again onto Mt. Warner Road.  You will see the Trustees of Reservations sign about 1/4 mile up the road on the left.  Turn left into the parking area which holds about 8-10 cars.   

W. Sydney Stern