Visited old friend Tim Z for a hike in Monroe State Forest, with a goal of locating the Sigurd, Grandfather and Thoreau Pines. We bushwhacked a bit to check on some potential old growth that Tim had on his mind, before heading back down to the Dunbar Brook Trail. Stayed on the trail until it splits, and then made our way up the north-facing side hill toward the three big pines.
First up was the Sigurd Olson Pine, Measured in 2011 at 12.3 feet around at chest height, and a full 130 feet tall.
The following are additional photograph's from our trip today.
First up was the Sigurd Olson Pine, Measured in 2011 at 12.3 feet around at chest height, and a full 130 feet tall.
Photo of Sigurd Olson Pine with our friend Bob L (from Bob's Archives)
Heading further up-hill, we next took in the Thoreau Pine. This is an incredible tree, measuring an impressive 13.3 feet around at chest height, and a height of 160.1 feet.
Seeing Thoreau from the Olson Pine (from Bob's Archives)
Looking up to Thoreau's top (from Bob's Archives)
Bob at Thoreau's base (from Bob's Archives)
It
isn't far from Thoreau to the Grandfather Pine. Grandfather measures
in at a breast-height girth of 14.2 feet, with a height of 146.5 feet.
Old Growth Wizard Bob L at the Grandfather Pine (from Bob's Archives)
After our hike to the pines, I decided to drive up Kingsley Hill Road to check snowmobile trail crossings, and hopefully explore from the trail-head at the top of the Dunbar Brook toward a destination of "the Titanic. The "Titanic Rock" is a 30' high boulder that leans against a second 20' high boulder creating a passage or cave that can be walked through. The "Titanic" may be the largest glacial erratic in western Massachusetts.
Completed the day with a stop to visit my parents, which was fantastic as always.
