Dugan
New member
And maybe 16, depending on weather and dog participation (15.3 or 23.2). Any takers?
Section 18 Mount Grace to Mass. Rte 32, via Whipple Hill and White Hill (8.5 miles)
From the mountain top, the trail descends to MA 78 along the "old Winchester Trail". After another mile eastward, the trail passes just above the attractive Highland Falls and enters a stretch of unbroken woodland and, after climbing up and down over an interesting series of step-like ridges, reaches a high point just south of the MA-NH state line. From here the trail proceeds roughly parallel to the state line to the end of this section. Mainly the track follows old roads through once settled farmland, across rolling, wooded hills, and a steep sided, narrow valley with Grand Monadnock beckoning in the distance.
Section 17 Gulf road, Northfield to Mount Grace Summit (6.8 miles)
Passing across the tops of the Northfield Bald Hills which are covered with hardwoods and some mixed forest, the trail descends to a wood road extension of Warwick's White Road, then continues east on a recent relocation away from and north of White Road to the southern end of Mount Grace, thence climbs on the "Old Snowshoe Trail" to the fire tower at the top of Mount Grace.
Section 16 Mass. Rte. 2, Farley, to Gulf Road, Northfield via the Heights overlooking the Millers River and Crag Mountain. (7.9 miles)
The trail climbs steeply from Farley, in the shadow of the high cliffs of Rattlesnake Mountain, then follows the hemlock ravine of Briggs Brook. From here it proceeds northeast on the ridge and ledges of Hermit Mountain, passing the blue blazed side trail to Hermit Castle high above the Millers River, then abruptly turns north through the Erving State Forest to the bare ledges of Crag Mountain in the Northfield countryside. This is one of the more interesting sections of the trail in Massachusetts.
Section 18 Mount Grace to Mass. Rte 32, via Whipple Hill and White Hill (8.5 miles)
From the mountain top, the trail descends to MA 78 along the "old Winchester Trail". After another mile eastward, the trail passes just above the attractive Highland Falls and enters a stretch of unbroken woodland and, after climbing up and down over an interesting series of step-like ridges, reaches a high point just south of the MA-NH state line. From here the trail proceeds roughly parallel to the state line to the end of this section. Mainly the track follows old roads through once settled farmland, across rolling, wooded hills, and a steep sided, narrow valley with Grand Monadnock beckoning in the distance.
Section 17 Gulf road, Northfield to Mount Grace Summit (6.8 miles)
Passing across the tops of the Northfield Bald Hills which are covered with hardwoods and some mixed forest, the trail descends to a wood road extension of Warwick's White Road, then continues east on a recent relocation away from and north of White Road to the southern end of Mount Grace, thence climbs on the "Old Snowshoe Trail" to the fire tower at the top of Mount Grace.
Section 16 Mass. Rte. 2, Farley, to Gulf Road, Northfield via the Heights overlooking the Millers River and Crag Mountain. (7.9 miles)
The trail climbs steeply from Farley, in the shadow of the high cliffs of Rattlesnake Mountain, then follows the hemlock ravine of Briggs Brook. From here it proceeds northeast on the ridge and ledges of Hermit Mountain, passing the blue blazed side trail to Hermit Castle high above the Millers River, then abruptly turns north through the Erving State Forest to the bare ledges of Crag Mountain in the Northfield countryside. This is one of the more interesting sections of the trail in Massachusetts.
