1st snowshoe ramble of the season in the Suffield Swamp.

Ran 3-miles on the Metacomet Trail from Phelps Road north to the stonewall turn-a-round.

Hoot, Toot & Whistle 5km Snowshoe Race
January 24th, 2015 - Catamount Ski Trail - Readsboro, VT

Didn't make the race after yesterday's course markings.

On our way (Tippi and I) to assist with the marking for the Hoot, Toot and Whistle Snowshoe Event, we stopped off to explore North Road in Monroe, part of the old snowmobile path I was once familiar with.

We ended successful at both trails - nice day in the snow.  Ended up with 5-miles for the day.

The connector along North Road

 Hoot, Toot and Whistle Course

Visited Falls Brook and the Falls Brook Trail off Route 20 with Tippi; 2-miles.

Hilltop Orchard 5Km Snowshoe Race
Hilltop Nordic Center
January 18th, 2015 - Richmond, MA

26th out of 59 finishers in this new event for our series.

Drove out to family property on Florida Mountain to snowshoe.  Wuzzam was game, and we planned on checking the route of the new snowmobile trail, climbing Bakke Mountain, paying respect at the  Martin Tower Cemetery, and if possible taking the old snowmobile route into Vermont.

All worked out fine, with the exception of the route into Vermont...  that section of snowmobile trail is closed.  I'll need to explore when the snow leaves, or wait until the route re-opens someday.  From my research, Bliss Road traveled all the way into Vermont at one time.

We managed a total of 6-miles for the day on our snowshoes.

Wuzzam and the old Subaru

Climbing

The Meadow and Windmills 

The Martin Tower Cemetery

Wuzzam at the Lookout

Farmer at the Lookout

Greenwood Gallop 5Km Snowshoe Race
Prospect Mountain Nordic Ski Center
January 11th, 2015 - Woodford, VT

60 Finishers in the lead off event to our series.

And, closer to home...

Visited Granby Land Trust Properties; Mary Edwards Mountain Property and the Godard Preserve.  Noticed that the trail system has been extended a bit, totaled up a 5-mile run.

Notchview Reservation Snowshoe Demo
January 10th, 2015 - Windsor,  Massachusetts

I helped out the Trustee's of Reservations at their Winter Trails Day event at Notchview Reservation.  Loaned out Dion Snowshoes for the duration.

Mohawk Trail State Forest in Charlemont & Florida, Massachusetts.  Performed some trail work while on the visit, and managed 8.5-miles of running.

Mohawk is full of interesting rock formations

Mohawk's Cave

Mohawk's Cave

 Tippi moving through my tree cleanup

Wheeler Grave Site

Tips rambling through the old sheep pasture

Hills surround us in Mohawk

3.7-miles on the Metacomet, from Phelps Road south.

Happy New Year 2015!

Drove out to North Hollow at the junction of Granville State Forest in Massachusetts and the Tunxis State Forest in Connecticut for a run along Valley Brook for 5-miles.

I hiked out from the Eastern Portal of the Hoosac Tunnel with Tippi, to see the Twin Cascades.  The path was clear, and about a half-mile each way, more or less.

The two falls are impressive.  Well worth a trip during any type of decent water flow.

Once back to the parking area, two young friendly fellows approached me, and began asking about hiking and the area.  They seemed very excited, and finally the truth came out...

They had some small motorcycles in the back of their vehicle, and were planning on riding the 4.5-miles through the Hoosac Tunnel, on the railroad tracks, from Florida Mountain to North Adams.

After mentioning to them that I thought they were "nuts", and that I wished they would reconsider, I finally told them to be as safe as possible, since I wasn't going to change their minds.

I also had asked them to contact me after through email to verify that they were safe, which they did later that evening.

My photos will get posted soon, but for now, here is the 'bikers video:

An enjoyable snowshoe adventure with K2 and the Jedi Turtle, from North Pond to the Cold River in Savoy Mountain State Forest.

Snowshoe adventure in Windsor State Forest, exploring the "Jambs".

Marker for 1st House in Windsor (Seth Wilder - 1787)

Perched Stones at the Jambs

Windsor Jambs Brook

Jambs

Tippi ready for the ride home