MEETING TIME AND PLACE: 10:00 a.m, Monday, July 29. We will meet at the Northampton side of the Norwottuck Rail Trail Bridge, 446 Damon Rd., Northampton, MA 01060 (this can be used as a GPS address).
Ample parking is available in the adjacent parking lot. The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation has provided Porta-Potties in the parking lot.
DRIVING DIRECTIONS: The Norwottuck Rail Trail parking lot is adjacent to the roundabout that leads to the Coolidge Bridge over the Connecticut River.
DESCRIPTION OF WALK: Our route to the Hadley Dike will start at the Department of Conservation and Recreation Damon Road parking lot. From there, we will walk across the Connecticut River on the pedestrian bridge and then take the bike path to Cross Path Road north to the Hadley Dike and walk along the Connecticut River to the far end of the Dike at the Hadley Commons. There are two options for the route back. The first is to retrace your steps, and the second, is to exit the dike at the Hadley Commons and take West Street south to the bike path to return to our starting point at the parking lot. According to Google maps, the roundtrip distance is about four miles, so those who want to walk a shorter distance should consider turning around at some point.
ROAD CONDITIONS: While the rail trail is asphalt, we will be walking on the dike, which is grassy. If there is precipitation, the road may have muddy sections.
Please dress for the weather and bring water, snacks, and a rain jacket.