Several weeks ago, our daughter Faith and I decided to go for a day hike during the week she was to be on vacation (last week). I wanted to “hike” the Holyoke, Massachusetts canal system. It’s about 3.5 mi (6 km), paved and flat. Faith has done urban hikes such as this with me before. I also suggested that it might be nice to get an areal view of Holyoke. Faith determined that Mt. Tom was the nearest peak, but it was questionable whether we would be able to see Holyoke from the summit.
It didn’t matter. Hiking with Faith is fun. She’s a very experienced hiker, but she is patient, prepared and informed. Hiking to the summit of Mt. Tom was actually well described in a book of New England hikes that Faith had. On the way to the parking area, she read several key points. The trail is 1.2 mi (2 km) long. The summit is 1,202' (366m) high. Faith expected an elevation gain for us between 700' (213m) and 900' (274m). That didn’t sound so bad. Being in deep lush woods was a wonderful experience.
The first sign that the article in the book was short of accurate was when we passed a “glacial bolder.” The book said we would pass that after about 3/10ths of a mile. Faith estimated that we had already walked 7/10ths of a mile as we passed the bolder.
A while later, we came to a vista where we could look down on the valley below. I jokingly said to Faith,
“We could share a picture from here and say it was the summit – who would know?”
Yes, yes, we would. We continued onward and upward. Reaching the top did feel good. We got a glimpse of Holyoke on the way, but the view in that direction from the summit was obscured by trees. The view of Easthampton, MA was spectacular.
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I don’t think Faith objected to doing the research.
I don’t know the scale of her map, but I know that the closer those concentric lines are, the steeper the terrain.
Sorry Maddie. Actually, Maddie is not well suited for hiking.
My guide and our trail. It was easy hiking at first.
Glacial bolder.
“I assume that’s the glacial bolder, but we’ve gone way more than 3-tenths of a mil
Seriously, who would question it if we said this was from the summit?
At least we don’t have to hike on that.
When I was in high school, four of us painted our school’s name on the side of rocks such
I had hoped that this was the dam at Holyoke. Unfortunately, it is Nashawannuck Pond in Easthampton
This rocky area provided a wonderful view of the CT River Valley.
“This way, Dad.
The path ahead
I think that’s the s
Easthampton, MA. Faith and I agreed that the sidewalk looked a little dicey
There were lots of birds flying. I got a picture os an eagle, but he was heading away. I’m not sure what this is, but it’s the best shot I got.
Portions of the lodge’s foundation still remain
There used to be a lodge at the summit. That’s long gone and has been replaced by radio transmission tower
Yeah, we wn’t be going in there.
This tree has taken root in the glacial bolder and managed to grow to a considerable height