A visit to Mohawk Trail State Forest, in Charlemont, Massachusetts, with my friend Bob, who knows every square inch of this forest. I've been out a half-dozen times with Bob in Mohawk, and I am amazed at what I learn each visit. Today, we had Jared joining us from Central Massachusetts.
I got to the forest early, and took a run from the Headquarters up the south side of Thumper Mountain. This is a fairly new path that the staff has been opening up; it is really awesome as it allows a loop over Thumper Mountain, rather than an out and back from the summit. The other nice thing about the new route is the trail passes fairly close to the "Gateway". I didn't have a camera with me, but will remedy that in the future.
Once back to the car, it was a short wait for Bob and Jared, and we spent an enjoyable and informative 3-hours searching for and measuring trees, namely white pine, black birch, and striped maple.
All told, I got six good miles on my legs today. To top it all off, Bob named a white pine for me. It is located at the leach field, the "Alibozek Leach Field Pine" measured 149' tall. What a day!
I got to the forest early, and took a run from the Headquarters up the south side of Thumper Mountain. This is a fairly new path that the staff has been opening up; it is really awesome as it allows a loop over Thumper Mountain, rather than an out and back from the summit. The other nice thing about the new route is the trail passes fairly close to the "Gateway". I didn't have a camera with me, but will remedy that in the future.
Once back to the car, it was a short wait for Bob and Jared, and we spent an enjoyable and informative 3-hours searching for and measuring trees, namely white pine, black birch, and striped maple.
All told, I got six good miles on my legs today. To top it all off, Bob named a white pine for me. It is located at the leach field, the "Alibozek Leach Field Pine" measured 149' tall. What a day!
Bob getting a fix on the Jake Swamp Pine.
Jake Swamp's Crown, 173'.
Bob and Jared verifying measurements.
A walk through Stafford Meadow, just prior to the Algonquin Stand.
