"Sunshine, Snowfall, and something called Frost"

Robert Frost Trail
Novemember 16, 1997

Sunderland - Amherst, MA

I am fairly sure that when organizer Keen-Eye scheduled the Robert Frost Trail Runs he wasn’t expecting the course to be covered with snow, not 4”-8” of it anyway. While this kept many potential runners away, I was in my glory and welcomed the snow with open arms, wool garments and snowshoes!!

The peaceful start from Cranberry Pond in the Mt. Toby Reservation (Sunderland, MA) was even more tranquil as only Keen-Eye and I would be willing to attempt the journey. Off we shuffled in unbroken virgin snow huffing and puffing steadily up the side of the hill that would turn into Mt. Toby (1269’), a 900+ foot climb in the first two miles. Five minutes into the jog we both ripped off our outer jackets as the chore of the climb materialized plenty of warmth around us, despite temperatures in the 20’s. Keen-Eye was kind, running slowly in front of me the whole way to keep me on course, as I am sure my snowshoes slowed us down plenty. I noticed plenty of uniform orange blazes on the trees throughout the course, so getting lost wouldn’t seem to be a problem (right).

As the shuffling continued, I was able to remember plenty of trail that made up the 1995 Trail Championship put on here. It really is amazing how memory works so selectively. The blast down hill from the firetower at Toby was a real treat as we kicked up snow propelling ourselves headlong off the mountain. As we chugged up and over Roaring Mountain a great big rise loomed directly in front of us, causing me to ask, “what is that?” It was Bull Hill (937’), which looked much bigger than it was but still contained about 500’ of climb.

That’s pretty much how it went for the Mt. Toby section of this run, up a mountain and back down only to do it all again. The snow was layered upon the tree limbs, sinking branches down towards earth, the numerous brooks were barely perceptible under the pure blanket of white, the air was clean and cool and crisp and there was nothing and no one but the two of us making our way through the forest. As the sun began to warm things up, a great blue sky opened and I was truly glad I was taking part in this event on a most magical day. Winter and its snow bring a whole new look to many of our forest, making them appear to be entirely different entities. The lonesome and secluded nature that arrives with the first snowfall is welcome as crowds disappear.

The route sent us towards the wooded ledges of Pulpit Hill, past the scenic and slowly icing Puffers Pond, sharp steep rises to a wonderful bluff overlooking Cushman Brook and views under to rollicking cascades, all in all continuing to send a smile to my face. The majority of the trail is pleasant to the eye, forever changing terrain that keeps one taxed physically but relaxed mentally. Although I enjoyed the uninterrupted 7-mile section through the Mt. Toby Reservation most, the remaining sections I covered were wonderful also.

After cresting Mt. Boreas and reaching Atkins Reservoir (which I believe I have run past when I used to race roads in the DH Jones 10 miler) I knew my day was done with a total of 15-miles in 3:03:56. Keen-Eye told me the next aid station / bailout point was merely a half mile downhill, and after that was a four mile section that would take us over the backwoods of the Pelham Hills and the 957’ Mt. Orient, complete with it’s outstanding views from ledges. Simple decision for me as three hours for the first snowshoe run of the year was plenty (my mind said to go on, continue -- the legs were trashed though).

Keen-Eye continued and I rode the sag wagon to Amethyst Brook to pick him up, close to 20 miles of running in snow for Keen-Eye (3:50:33). He looked very fresh at the end, no doubt due to the slow pace he kept to stick with me. Although we tried to convince him to continue, nail the 33 miles, he was ready to relax too. That ended it up, both of us willing to wait until next year to tackle the 33 miles. The only trouble is the trail has been extended to 40 miles (a new northern section) and plans are to go south from the notch ten more to make it a 50 miler.