Hey Russ,
Thanks for the great directions! It seems like Negus has been a favorite
for the locals in that area. On the map it isn't part of any state
forest but is it protected in any other way? Who owns the mountain - is
it private? A poor man's Franconia Ridge sounds cool.
Mike
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
[mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, August 08, 2009 9:49 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Negus, the big little mountain
Mike:
If you are coming to Negus up the Deerfield River there
is a relatively new bridge over the Deerfield at Zoar Gap. On the east
side of the Deerfield just before you cross the river there in an area
on your right that today probably looks more like a parking area for
rafters but it is the original route of River Road...the old bridge
abutments are where the road looks like it used to make a 90 degree turn
to cross the river (across from the railroad tracks). If you cross the
railroad tracks near the old bridge abutments you should see evidence of
a herd path that will lead you up the mountain. About a hundred yards
from the tracks the climb goes from a 20% grade to more like 80% plus
and lots of rocks and ledges start to show up. In a couple hundred more
feet you will climb onto some rocks and very shortly be able to follow a
trail that is more bare rock than anything else. There are several
options once you get above the first very steep spot. If you keep to
the left (west) a little you will be able to scramble pretty much on
solid rock for a couple hundred more feet until it levels off. If you
swing to the east a little the trail is a little easier and it switches
back a couple times. After you have risen about 400' in elevation the
grade eases a little and you wind through some more rocks and come up to
a small level spot on the ridge with a large glacial erratic dominating
the ridge. This point is half the elevation but 1/3 the distance to the
top. As you climb the ridge you are pretty much on solid rock walking
around stunted gray birch and very crappy red oak. About 3/4 of the way
to the top Greylock appears to the west and the views open up more and
there is a small level area on the ridge when you reach the first
summit. If you wanted to walk the whole ridge you should be able to
follow the trail for about a mile and a half to reach the town road on
the Steele Brook side.
Negus Mountain seems to factor in as an important
resting spot for cedar waxwings during their migration....I saw them
passing through several different years and I think that one time
Michele Wilson and I climbed it together the waxwing migration was in
full swing. Negus is also an incredible place to look down on turkey
vultures as they ride the thermals.
I often thought of the climb on Negus as a poor mans'
Franconia Ridge.
Russ
-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected]
To: [email protected]
Sent: Sat, Aug 8, 2009 8:20 pm
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Negus, the big little mountain
Mike,
One end of the trail is located off Steele Brook Road.
ATVers use that end. The other is at Zoar Gap off River Road (Zoar
Road). I don't care for the Steele Brook Road end. I always go up from
Zoar Gap to get to the good views quickly. no monster trucks in that
area.
I'll be doing programs on the last two Saturdays in
August at MTSF, one program in the AM and one in the PM on each
Saturday. However, I'd be pleased to organize a trip especially for you
and Sun and whoever else you choose to invite. That way we could go
well off trail and see areas that wouldn't work for a general group.
For your viewing pleasure, I have attached a 3 images.
The first is from near the summit of Negus looking toward the Hoosac
Mountain ridge, Route 2, and a few buildings in Florida, MA. The second
image was taken today and is of Trout Brook in MTSF. The last image was
taken in the Trout Brook watershed and features 5 white pines. counting
from the left, the first and third belong to the 150 Club. The rightmost
pine has heavy weevil damage and isn't particularly attractive.
Nonetheless, all are growing machines. The Route 2 corridor is visible
as the area of light beyond the pines. The 3rd pine from the left
probably brushes 153 feet. I won't be able to measure it accurately
until the leaves drop. Its girth is now 8.6 feet.
Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Leonard" <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, August 8, 2009 5:19:49 PM GMT -05:00
US/Canada Eastern
Subject: [ENTS] Re: Negus, the big little mountain
Bob,
Where is the trailhead to Negus Mountain? Is it from
Steele Brook Road in Rowe or Zoar Road in Charlemont?
Sun and I have been section kayaking the fabulous and
pristine Deerfield River this summer. It is without question a jewel of
a river!
More on that later.
By the way next time you give a tour on the old growth
at Mohawk let me know; Sun and I would like to go.
Mike
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