Part Two - Dunbar Brook

[bogorchis]

Oops! I must have exceeded the limit! Anyway, there were a few people taking pics of the waterfalls at Monroe Bridge, but we didn't linger too long! Off we went down the other side of Dunbar Brook. Met a hiker, carrying an extra boot that he said belonged to his buddy? That meant that his buddy was hiking only with one boot - go figure??

The rest of our hike was just as nice, as the trail follows the brook most of the way. Went by a beat-up looking shelter and then by a few campsites to the bridge. Crossed over and retraced our trail to the car. Met a photographer and a couple of other hikers.

Checked out the Hoosac Tunnel entrance on our way home - a beautiful hike. The wind had howled overhead all day, and we figured that anyone hiking in the Whites was experiencing some bad weather!

Now, we got to go back to Crum Hill!

 

[RoySwkr]

Now, we got to go back to Crum Hill!

The 2 peaks across the road from Crum Hill are also in the top 10, a group including myself and DC did all 4 in a day (but walked out in the dark as it was fall)

 

[bogorchis]

How far to the shelter?

I think that it is about 1.2 miles in from the road at the confluence of Haley Brook and Dunbar Brook, but that shelter's outhouse has been trashed. Coming in from River Road, if you go left before the bridge and go uphill about 25 minutes, there is another shelter, but it is not near the brook. It doesn't appear to get much use.

 

[bcskier]

Monroe State Forest Map

Here is a link to a map of the forest:

Monroe State Forest

The three shelters are marked on the map. The Dunbar Brook Trail trailhead parking lot is just about opposite the entrance to the parking area for the Dryway takeout.

 

[bogorchis]

Thanks for the link!

My friend had printed out the Monroe State Forest link map; I had Xeroxed a map from a hiking book, plus printing out the topo of that area.
Bogorchis

 

[RoySwkr]

However, places to legally camp for free-sleep in your car are hard to find out there.

They're not so hard to find if you buy a GMNF map, I've camped just out of Heartwellville.

There is also a driveto leanto near Plainfield MA (track down the map of that SF) that I had to myself one Saturday night.

 

[Jazzbo]

Monroe and Mohawk State Forests of western Mass

Munroe State Forest is home to some fine old growth forests stands. The place is not 100% oldg growth. They tend to occur is groves or areas. Stream terraces along the Dunbar Brook is good. Of course if you liked the area you should check out trails in Mohawk State Forest. Mohawk has the finest old growth forest stands in New England. The area has remarkable stands of White Pine and American Ash easily seen from forest roads and also in areas reached by trails. The forested summit ridge of Clark and Todd Mountains are nice to visit when leaves are down so you can better appreciate the views. Happy trails!

See link to Mass Forestry here:

Mohawk State Forest