Hike Type: Out-and-back loop
Distance: 4.88 miles
Duration: 1 hour 47 minutes
Elevation Min: 224ft
Elevation Max: 639ft
Elevation Gain: 448ft
Maps: A guide to the Robert Frost Trail can be found here, and there's a map at the parking lot for the conservation area that is slightly outdated (doesn't include the new blue trail).
Parking: Parking is available in a dirt lot off W Pelham Road (42.376341, -72.486147)
Weather: 47°F, partly cloudy
After finding the Amethyst Conservation Area two days ago I really wanted to go back with my camera, so I did some research and did just that! For this hike I followed the orange Robert Frost Trail to the blue trail. The blue trail is a scenic detour that elongates the RFT by just a little. It follows the Amethyst Brook further upstream before it begins to climb the hill. Along the RFT there's a couple crossings of the brook, one on a footbridge and one on a few rocks, and a very interesting labyrinth with some interesting sculptures behind it.
After entering the conservation area, the trail splits right away. To the left is the RFT, and to the right is the yellow trail that is unmarked until getting into the woods.
Some photos from the beginning of the hike.
Some photos from the first crossing of the Amethyst Brook.
There were a couple of these shelters, I wonder what their stories are...
A couple of photos of the Amethyst Brook.
Some more photos along the hike. Before this second footbridge is the labyrinth.
Photos of the labyrinth and the sculptures behind it. It was very interesting. I liked how the center of the labyrinth had a few holiday decorations, and also it was recently raked. When I was here two days prior it wasn't like this.
After the labryinth, the RFT turns left and straight ahead is the beginning of the brand new blue trail.
The blue trail was a nice extention to the RFT. It followed the Amethyst Brook more upstream until it turns into the woods after an old bridge structure. It climbs quickly until it levels out back at the RFT.
This trail was part of the Kestrel Land Trust.
Some photos along the blue trail. The last photo is where it meets back with the RFT. Turn right here to continue to Mt. Orient.
From here the RFT begins to climb again, going through a section that was heavily logged. It climbs some more and enters the Cowls Tree Farm where ironically the trail thickens again. There was some water on the trail at this point, and after entering Cowls the RFT met up with the M+M trail. Once they join together they climb more, and right before the overlook the trail climbs very steeply up rock, which was wet and slipper during this hike. The view is below the actual summit of Mt. Orient, which his featureless. The ledge offers views of the Holyoke and Mt. Tom ranges along with much of the Pioneer Valley.
The trail was very open before Cowls due to the logging. There were a few logging roads that intertwined with the RFT so it's important to watch the trail markers, which are abundant.
Soon after entering the tree farm boundary the orange RFT joining with the white M+M trail.
The last leg of the hike is pretty steep and a little challenging, especially after rain, but it's very rewarding.
Some views from the ledges. There wasn't a single soul while I was up here- it was so peaceful. There was some noise from I-91, but it blended in with the breeze. It's very interesting looking at these photos compared to the ones I took on Halloween at the same overlook.
I followed the RFT for the majority of the hike back. Right before crossing back into the conservation area there's an interesting old car in the middle of the woods. After entering the conservation area I followed the RFT and turned left onto the footbridge where the yellow trail starts. That trail follows the Amethyst Brook on the other side back to the parking lot.
Some photos along the RFT re-entering the Amethyst Conservation Area.
The yellow trail crosses over the footbridge and follows the brook back to the original split from the start of the hike.
This was a great, low-key hike. It was a nice distance, a small-gradual elevation, and it was a really nice time away from campus and exams. I would definitely recommend!
Hike Summary
- Orange-blazed Robert Frost Trail from the parking lot
- Follow until blue trailhead, take entirety of blue trail
- Turn right onto orange-blazed RFT
- Follow until RFT merges with white blazed M+M trail
- Follow the trails to the Mt. Orient ledges
- Turn around, follow RFT until turning left onto yellow trail in Amethyst Conservation Area
- Follow yellow back to parking lot
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