Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
| Peaks |
Spruce Hill, Spruce Hill - North Peak, MA |
|
| Trails: |
Mahican-Mohawk Trail, Busby Trail |
|
| Date of Hike: |
Wednesday, May 13, 2020 |
|
| Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of parking at the RT 2 parking area. I was there on a Wednesday, I suspect it will be full on weekends. Busby Trail parking was empty. |
|
| Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Wet Trail, Wet/Slippery Rock, Standing/Running Water on Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant, Leaves - Significant/Slippery |
|
| Recommended Equipment: |
|
|
| Water Crossing Notes: |
All hoppable |
|
| Trail Maintenance Notes: |
As is typical of the M&M it is partly well-maintained and blazed, but mostly not. I hiked and out and back, north to south and return, from the parking area on Rt 2 in N. Adams. This is the northernmost terminus of the M&M, not including the spur that descends to Rt 2 west of the Hairpin Turn. The section from Rt 2 to the junction with the Busby Trail is well-maintained and easy to follow. The section from Busby to North Pond Loop Trail is poorly blazed, clearly not well-used, and difficult to follow. The section where it merges with North Pond Loop to SMSF Headquarters is well-maintained and blazed. |
|
| Dog-Related Notes: |
don't remember seeing any |
|
| Bugs: |
none |
|
| Lost and Found: |
A green leash, I left it hanging on a trail sign at the northern junction with North Pond Loop Trail. |
|
|
|
|
| Comments: |
I love this trail! The perfect trail for social distancing, I have finished the M&M traverse from Mohawk Trail Headquarters to Rt 2 in N. Adams, hiking it in 3 sections. Today I saw 4-5 other hikers, and no one on the section from Busby to N Pond. The M&M from the junctions with the Busby Trail and the North Pond Trail is so poorly maintained and blazed that once I made it to SMSF headquarters I returned to my car via Central Shaft Road and the Busby Trail, cutting at least an hour and more than a mile off my return trip.
The views west from the Hoosac Range are quite wonderful! SMSF does have some nice trails, clearly this park is underused.
The Mahican-Mohawk Trail map that is available at the RT 2 kiosk is good, but it does not show the intersecting trails. I suggest you supplement it with the DCR maps for Savoy Mt State Forest and Mohawk Trail State Forest. |
|
| Name: |
willadollie |
|
| E-Mail: |
|
|
| Date Submitted: |
2020-05-20 |
|
| Link: |
https:// |
|
|
Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
|