We hiked to the tower on top of Mt. Toby in Leverett. A loop with two steep hours up, and two steep hours down. A variety of trails – the main one is actually vehicle accessible but natural springs run freely and have created a road of solid ice all the way to the top. If I hadn’t been able to borrow a pair of Micro Spikes I’d never had made it. It’s a uniquely gorgeous site. in summer perhaps a sort of steep, natural water park: waterfalls, water seeping from rocks, water running from springs, gorgeous streams on both left and right as one climbs. Off trail, in the woods, there was very little snow left; a weird contrast to all the ice underfoot and on rocky outcrops.. The ice on the trail was a good 10″ thick and would occasionally crack with a dull thud as you walked near its edges. It was fun when it occurred as it made a throaty, clunky sort of sound. Once in a while, we’d go off onto the fallen leaves for a bit of ice respite.As usual, it was a great day with great friends and dogs, but I doubt if any Thursday hikers will be staying up late tonight. Come visit in Spring, Summer, or Fall and we’ll take a Mt Toby hike. Penny
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