Hike at Bear Swamp in Ashfield, Friday, May 10
Description of the hike: easy to moderate, 2.5-3 miles. We will hike the Lookout Trail to the North-South Trail, then via the Orchard Trail to the lookout over Apple Valley. We will return to the parking area via the Beaver Brook Trail, passing the beaver pond on the way. The ground should be pretty dry but there are two short stream crossings that need to be made on stones in the brook. Expect to see some ephemeral wildflowers on the first part of the Lookout Trail.
Hike limited to 15 people.
Bring water, snack, tick repellant
At this point, showers are predicted for Friday. I will let you know by 8 AM Friday morning if we need to postpone the hike. As long as it is warm, I am inclined not to be deterred by a risk of showers (as opposed to heavy rain).
Meeting time: 10 A.M. at the trailhead on Hawley Road in Ashfield. Traveling west, you will see a Trustees of Reservation sign on the left with parking on both sides of the road.
If you would like to carpool, meet at the Florence Civic Center at 9:15. We will depart at 9:25. I will be there. Please let me know if you plan to carpool.
Back to our cars by around 12:30.
Directions: From Northampton, take Route 9 west to Route 112. Turn north (right) on 112. Turn west (left) on Hawley Road. When you come to Bear Swamp Road, which bends off to the left, stay right on Hawley Road (Google Maps or your GPS may direct you to Bear Swamp Road. Pay no attention!).
Want to enjoy the outdoors and get aerobic exercise in good company? If you’re eager to hike 2-4 miles on rolling hills or something steeper, please join us. Total ascent is often 600-700 feet. We explore attractive trails, all less than 30-45 minutes’ drive from Northampton. We meet every week on Fridays throughout the year, mornings at 10 am in warm weather, afternoons at 1 pm in cold weather. We usually meet at the trailhead. We sometimes informally arrange carpools to drive together. We are, and want to stay, in pretty good condition for seniors. We averaged 8-10 hikers per hike before the pandemic; now, who knows?
Leader: Bob Adams,
bobadams46h@gmail.com