M&M Holyoke Hiking

Hike Name: M&M Holyoke Hiking Location: west MA Length: 6 Submitted by: Benjamin Clinton Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Massachusetts trail reviews Massachusetts national parks Massachusetts state parks
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Description
This Stretch of the Metacomet-Monadnock(M&M) Trail that stretches across the ridgeline is a fabulous way to see the Pioneer Valley from a different perspective as well as taking in a beautiful, leasurely hike from one end to the next. There is diverse terrain and a destination gratifying for the scenery as well as the great history surrounding the Pioneer Valley and south to Springfield. On a not so clear day you can see Springfield as you traverse the ridgline and on a clear day, you can see Hartford, CT in the distance as the Connecticutt River meanders south around I-91.

A good place to start is at the The Notch Visitors Center on Route 116, south of Amherst near Hampshire College. From the parking lot, hike across the street and look for a sign that says Bare Mountainand continue east on the M&M trail that pursues up the eastern face of Bare Mountain. Passing through fields of Basalt Rock, once at the top the first view of the valley and Springfield is in view. This spectacular view is enjoyed throughout the hike. Continuing east will place you upon Mount Hitchcock,(Stop03) the highest point on the range. The next area of the ridge to surpass are the Seven Sisters. The Seven Sisters are a group of seven small mountains or better explained as hills(dips and rises) along the ridge of the range. This series of dips and rises is a major characeristic of the unique and spectacular formation of the range. As you travel across the seven sisters be sure to stop, look at and /or sign the guest book. This is a cute addition to the hike. Many of the travelers of the M&M Trail take a break, have a seat and add their addition to the guestbook. As you cross this section begin looking for large outcrops of basalt. Larger than usual, this area of the trail exhibits tremendous basalt structures that can be pleasing to the eye. Remember that the overwhelming majority of the rocks you see on this trail are basalt and that the mountains are shaped and formed, in large part, due to characteristics of this very rock. Notice the nice fracturing(breaking) that the rock exhibits. Once crossing over all seven of the sisters continuing east will take you to Taylor Notch, which is a large, well defined dip in the ridge that provides an access road for automobiles to climb Mount Holyoke. Continue across Taylor Notch, following the white blazes to Mount Holyoke. At the top of your ascent is the Prospect House and if you climb during the warmer months you can explore the museum at the house with nice history and location information. The fabulous views in all directions allows you to see the Pelham Hills, The Berkshires, Mt. Toby and Flat Hills.

Once you are atop Mount Holyoke, continue east following the white blazes, this will eventually lead to the Halfway Barn. This is a great place to park another car so you can get back to the starting point! Otherwise, you should turn around and hike back, across the range to the Notch Visitors Center.

Directions to Hike
I-91 to Rt. 9/Exit 19 in Western Mass. Look for Rt. 116 and follow to "The Notch". Start hiking west from there and you will end up on Mount Holyoke.

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