.

This section of the proposed New England Trail would follow the Metacomet-Monadnock Trail  through the Northfield Hills region of north-central Massachusetts. It would include the summits of several monadnocks as well as dense forests, highland swamps, and cascading brooks. 

W-13.0 Crag Mountain
Crag Mountain offers expansive views of the region from its bare, quartzite peak. The panorama includes the Millers River Valley north to Mount Monadnock, with a fine bird's eye view of the Northfield Reservoir. The quartzite that makes up this peak was formed when quartz sandstone was compressed by tectonic forces beneath the earth's surface. The result --quartzite-- is an exceptionally hard and weather resistant stone.

W-13.1 Upper Bald Hills and Stratton Mountain

The Metacomet Trail crosses over a series of high, steep and mostly wooded monadnocks with deep, wooded ravines. 

W-13.2 Mount Grace
Mount Grace is the most prominent summit in north central Massachusetts. Although mostly wooded, there are fine views from several ledges and an outstanding 360' degree panorama from the fire tower on the summit. 

W-13.3 Highland Falls
A scenic waterfall located east of Mount Grace. 

Resources

New England Trail Proposal Maps of this section

Other sources

Appalachian Mountain Club Berkshire Chapter
Metacomet-Monadnock Trail
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
NPS brochure for National Scenic Trail proposal
U.S. Congress New England National Scenic Trail Designation Act
Quabbin to Cardigan Conservation Collaborative
Mount Grace Land Conservation Trust
Franklin Land Trust
North Quabbin Woods project
North Quabbin Regional Landscape Partnership
Western Massachusetts Access (rock climbing)
Erving State Forest
Mount Grace State Forest

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