Historical Hikes
A Dream Forgotten – Getty Memorial Conservation Area
In 1972, Raynard Getty, a high school science teacher, began developing 50 acres behind the Dalton school into a conservation area. In conjunction with classroom studies, Wahconah students, alongside Getty, worked on extensive plans to create a wildlife refuge, 4 1/2 miles of nature trails, two tree farms, a large fieldstone fireplace, and a small pond. A teacher truly ahead of his time,
Getty described his vision as, “a quiet area where students can go to think and meditate.”
The Caveman Cometh – Tory Cave Falls
Where We Went: Tory Cave Falls - October Mountain State Forest, Lenoxdale, MA When We Went: Mid-June 2020 Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10): 2 Boots, (3 Boots to get to the cave) Trail Length: Just over 0.5 miles roundtrip How Long it Took Us: 1.5 hours...
Mom’s Day Out – The Mount
"...the Mount was to give me country cares and joys, long happy rides and drives through the wooded lanes of that loveliest region, the companionship of a few dear friends, and the freedom from the trivial obligations which was necessary if I was to go on with my...
Gold Diggers & Cave Crawlers – Widow White Reserve
Where We Went : Widow White Reservation - Lanesboro, MA When We Went : Early April & again in Late May Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : Steep in places, but mostly easy walking on wide wood roads 2.5 Boots Trail Length : NO...
This One’s For Beginners – Old Mill Trail
Where We Went : Old Mill Trail, Hinsdale MA When We Went : July 2019 Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1 Boot Trail Length : 1.5 miles, up and back (about 1 hour) First 0.7 miles is Accessible Trail, the remainder crosses Route 8 and follows the Housatonic River downstream....
Faded Footsteps – Arrowhead Nature Trail
Where We Went : Arrowhead Nature Trail, Pittsfield/Lenox MA When We Went : Mid-April Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 1.5 Boots Trail Length : 0.5 Mile How Long it Took Us : 1 Hour Overview : "Leviathan, white whale - Call me Ishmael. Sailor, novelist - A failure until...
Cattle Calls & Waterfalls – Glendale Falls
Where We Went : Glendale Falls, Middlefield MA When We Went : Mid-March Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 3 Boots Trail Length : 1/4 Mile to the base of the Falls How Long it Took Us : 1.5 Hours Overview : For a town with a population of less than 600, Middlefield sure has...
Pooled Echoes of the Past – Duncan Brook Reservoir
Where We Went : Duncan Brook, Dalton MA When We Went : 1st Week of April Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 2.5 Boots (based on lack of trails) Trail Length : No Marked Trails How Long it Took Us : 2 Hours Overview : In 1957,...