Thursday Hikers

What an amazing day! We went to Mohawk Forest State Park in Charlemont and were led by Bob Leverett, Founder of Eastern Native Tree Society (& etc!). We hiked from 10 to 4 with no lunch break and it didn’t seem to matter as it was so gorgeous and so interesting. Bob is also highly responsible for getting the 6,500 acre Mohawk Park as a restricted forest. Contiguous with the Savoy State Forest of 7000 acres, that’s a lot of uninterrupted land in restriction.The old growth trees at Mohawk Park are notable across the USA. It’s an absolute gem. The Mohawk/Mahican Trail, and a deference to native history, filled our day. First photo is of the “Jack Swamp”, a 171 foot tall white pine, tallest in New England. Jack Swamp is dead center between the two men in the photo. (Many of the trees are named for notable native americans and many inter tribal gatherings of reverent significance are held in the forest.) Second photo, Bob Leverett, gentleman, scholar, kind teacher for us. Third: We tromped through that fern surrounded lovely meadow and then were invited to go “off trail”. Fourth:The giant Sugar Maple is The State Champion. She is awesome! 5 and 6: Off trail continued with lots of climbs and lots of significant trees. Even a cave that the Mohawks or Mahicans used and we were lucky to explore. It was totally coincidental that Bob led us. He was to take 3 men (a Timber Framer Guild President, A Barn Historian from PA, and a creator of wooden bowls but by happenstance we, too, were invited. Lucky for us ! I’ve talked too long. It was a GREAT day. Off for a bath and a tick check! Signing off! Penny