Seven Sisters Foliage Hike

[HikerBob]

With iffy weather forecast for the Whites I decided on something a little closer to home this weekend.

Karen and I did the Seven Sisters section of the Metacomet-Monadnock trail (again) with the objective of getting some elevated views of the fall foliage in the Pioneer Valley. Was a great day out although it did cloud up earlier than expected.

Spotted Karen's truck at the Mt Holyoke end and headed up the longest climb of the roller-coastering trail from the Notch Visitor Center on Rte 116 south of Amherst. Almost to the top when I asked Karen, "So, those keys I said would be fine thrown in the ash tray... would they be the truck keys????" Doh! Dropped my pack and left Karen to take in the sun from a nice little ledge while I went back for the keys.

Pics for the curious can be found starting HERE

Bob

 

[MichaelJ]

Ouch! Oh, well, at least it was a nice day.

All this great hiking only moments away from where I grew up, and I've never done any of it...

The bigger question - did you go to Atkins Farm afterward for cider doughnuts?!?!

 

[percious]

I have done this hike out and back with my son on my back. It is really enjoyable, and its nice that you can get water at the hotel when you get there. I think it would be great to do the whole range end to end if you had a coupla cars, and add Mt. Tom whilst you are at it. Maybe I'll grab a coupla you guys in a week or two to try this with me and my son.

later.

-percious

 

[HikerBob]

MichaelJ - Passed on the cider donuts but they are yummy! With all the leaf-peepers Atkins was so busy they had a cop directing traffic and parking both sides of the road was full.

Percious - I've done Mt Tom to Harris Mountain Road in three sections. The Connecticut River puts a dent in an end-to-end hike unless you carry a boat or are a very strong swimmer

The Mount Tom and Seven Sisters sections provide the most views but the Notch to Harris Mountain Rd gets you views from Norwottuck and Rattlesnake Knob plus the bonus of the Horse Caves - more big overhangs than caves but still fun.

Many of the brighter maples are starting to lose leaves but overall peak foliage time is going to happen in the next seven days.

Biggest bonus for this hike for me? No 400+ mile commute

Bob

 

[TCD]

Thanks for the nice retrospective on the 7 Sisters trail. I did the trail race about 2 years ago; it's an out and back along the route you took (starts and finishes at the Visitor Center). I remember seeing the sections of trail in the pix. It was nice to see them again!

TCD