HIKE AND BIKE THE WATERSHED
Keep checking this site for updates.		DRWA is leading fun tours throughout the watershed to introduce you to the beauty we can find in the Deerfield River hills and valley.

Elephant's Eye - May 6

Catamounts - June 3, 2-5pm and June 30. 10am-2pm

Preregistration is requested by calling 624-3311

Muriel Russell will lead us on a loop through the northeast part of the Catamount State Forest led. This trip will feature old cellar holes, caves, McCloud Pond and vernal pools. Ms Russell is an acknowledged authority on this part of what was once a thriving community of farms and now is covered by forest as the inhabitants moved to the West for easier farming conditions.

To reach the meeting place, take Adamsville Road at Route 112 in Griswoldville to East Catamount Road (dirt and steep) and follow it to the end where there is parking on the left. This is an easy to moderate hike with a small amount of bushwacking. Hikers should wear hiking shoes or boots, bring water and a snack (lunch June 30), and bring/wear "low scent" bug dope.

Biodiversity Walks - June 9 & 10

For Further information about the hikes, contact the leader by phone or check the Biodiversity Web Site
If you would like to lead a hike, please contact Polly Bartlett at 625-6628

Biking and Birding by Ear - June 15, 7-9:30am
Meet at McCuskers Market, Shelburne Falls for easy biking and listening to birds. Bring water. Helmets required. Led by Lloyd Crawford, register at 339-4265.

Bear Swamp - June 16, 2-5pm
Hike Bear Swamp, Ashfield, with Professor Tilley noting vegetation types, birds and wildlife. Bear Swamp Reservation is reached by taking Hawley Rd West 1.7 miles from intersection of Rt 112 and Rt 116 in Ashfield. Limited to 15 people. Register with Dick Muller, 628-3895.

Negus Mountain - June 24, 9am-12pm
Bill Lattrell leads this hike featuring laurel bloom and spectacular views. This will be driving most of the way up the mountain, but still moderate to strenuous.

Catamounts - June 30 and September 29, 10 am -2pm
Hike and explore NE Catamount State Forest including old cellar holes, MacLeod Pond and caves. Some bushwacking. Bring water and lunch. To reach starting point, take Adamsville Rd. from Rt 112 in Griswoldville to East Catamount Road, (steep and dirt) and follow it to the end where there is parking on the left. Register with Muriel Russell, 624-3311

Ashfield Bike - July 7, 9-11am
Bike ride, moderate, starting in Ashfield Town Hall, going through Conway along the South River, Bardwell Ferry, Rt 2 to Shelburne Falls, then on Baptist Corner Rd to Ashfield. Helmets required, Maximum 10 people. Register with Dick Muller 628-3895.

Pocumtuck Ridge - July 29, 9am
Hike the Pocumtuck Ridge trail from Sugarloaf South to Old Deerfield. Spectacular views. Meet at 119 Main St. Deerfield. (Driveway is on the West side of street opposite end of white picket fence on East side of street.) Led by Hattie Ball and Polly Bartlett. Register with Polly Bartlett 625-6628

Mountain Bike Raycroft's Lookout - July 29, 10am-2pm
Dunbar Brook Trail to South Road and Raycroft's Lookout. This is a difficult ride and bikers should be fit and wearing helmets. Meet at Dunbar Brook Trail Head in Monroe approximately 1/2 mi. up river from the Bear Swamp Visitor's Center. Limited to 10 people. Led by Phil Pless. Register with Dick Muller 413-628-3895.

Davis Mine - August 5, 1-3pm
Hike and explore the Davis Mine in Rowe with Floyd Sherman . The Davis mine was particularly famous for the high quality sulphur mined there. Also iron pyrites, copper and zinc were present. Some bushwacking necessary. Meet at the Wells Store, Charlemont, Junction of Routes 2 & 8A North. Register with Polly Bartlett 413-625-6628

Bike the Green River - October 7, 9am-2pm (Raindate October 14)
An easy bike from the top of the Green River watershed in Marlboro, all the way downhill to Greenfield. We will leave cars in Marlboro and carpool back there at the end of the tour. You can meet an hour early at the Skyline Restaurant and have breakfast before getting on your bike. Bring a lunch and water, helmets required. 10 people maximum. Register with Françoise Walk 413-774-7025.

Fall Catamounts - October 13, 9:30am-3pm
A hike in the Northwest of the Catamounts will give participants a view of the Deerfield Valley from Pocumtuck Mountain in Charlemont. as well as old roads and cellarholes and optional side trips to MacLeod Pond and the caves. This is a must for foliage fans. Meet at 9:30 at the West Branch Cemetery on the Adamsville Rd. near the bridge (reached from Rt 112 in Griswoldville) Bring water and lunch. For more information, contact the leader Muriel Russell at 624-3311.

Negus Mountain - October 14, 9:30am-?
Negus Mountain is the rocky shoulder overlooking Zoar Gap and the upper Deerfield River valley in Rowe. This trip will offer three options. The easiest option is to drive most of the way up the back of the mountain before leaving the car for a mile hike on woods road with little climbing. The second option is a five mile loop around the top of Negus Mountain with a view of Bear Swamp Pumped Storage pond as well as the view from the summit. This route is on gravel roads and snowmobile trails. The third option is to climb the steep, but not technical, rocky face of Negus Mountain from Zoar Gap. Any of these trips can be combined if arrangements are made for car spotting. Hikers should meet at the Kiosk at the Shunpike in Charlemont two miles West of the center of town at 9:30. Preregistration is requested with leader, Polly Bartlett, 625-6628

Mahican-Mohawk Trail - October 20, 10am - 2pm
To celebrate Watershed Week, join us on this hike on the Mahican-Mohawk foot trail between Shelburne and Bardwell Ferry Bridge on the Shelburne-Conway town line. This is a 4.8 mile part of the trail named for the Indian tribes who traveled the valley from the Connecticut River to the Hudson River. Although this trail follows the river, it is a rough foot trail with many ups and downs as streams join the river. The start will be at 10:00 at the turnout just East of the Police Barracks in Shelburne on Route 2. Because car spotting at Bardwell Ferry will be necessary, please pre-register with the leader, Polly Bartlett, 625-6628.

Hallowe'en in the Catamounts - October 27, 11am - 3pm

If you dare, join us on this Hallowe'en hike in Colrain: It will feature MacLeod Pond in the Catamount State Forest and the caves or bears dens which are said to have had a spell cast on them. The route will also pass the site of the first school house in the U.S. to fly the American flag . This Hike covers old roads not previously explored on hikes this Summer. Bring a lunch to eat at the pond and a flashlight to explore the caves. To reach starting point, take the Adamsville Road from Rte 112 in Griswoldville to East Catamount Road on left (steep, dirt) and follow it to the end where there is parking on th left. Hike will leave promtly at 11:00 a.m.. The leader is Muriel Russell, 624-

Updated 1/11/02 DRWA Home