Mike: Most of the land in that area belongs to the power company. The gravel pits across the river and much of the land adjacent to MTSF is or used to be owned by Krutiak Lumber in North Adams. All of the road at the Steele Brook end is owned by the power company...once you get past Zoar at the intersection with Rowe Road/Steele Brook and most of the land along the Deerfield until you get to Monroe Bridge belongs to the power co....it is a great place to hike and camp....and with the Persids coming this week the old meadows on Negus Mountain that are near the intersection of Tunnel Road and Steele Brook makes for incredible start gazing.
Russ -----Original Message----- From: Mike Leonard <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Sun, Aug 9, 2009 7:37 am Subject: [ENTS] Re: Negus, the big little mountain 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 Z oar 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 solid20rock 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=2 0and 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. 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