| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Pottapaug Hill, Soapstone Hill, Quabbin Starfire crash site, MA |
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 | Trails: |
Greenwich Dana Road, unnamed dirt road, unnamed trails, Monson Turnpike |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Monday, December 26, 2011 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Parked at Gate 40, plenty of room and later at Gate 37, where there was less room but still sufficient. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
none |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
MDC has cleared the paved roads of any blowdowns from the October snowstorm. The dirt roads and unnamed trails have some blowdowns which can be stepped over, ducked under or walked around. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Dogs are not allowed in the Quabbin Reservation. We saw a party that had a dog with them anyway. |
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 | Bugs: |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
Two hikes in Quabbin today
First one from Gate 40 to Dana Common and then to the 1955 Starfire plane crash site, then to the Indian Kitchen. As we approached the Starfire crash site, we spotted a moose in the midst of the wreckage. She bolted when she saw us, ran away for a distance, then looked back to make sure we really were approaching, then ran away for good. There is a piece of a pine tree that has fallen and landed exactly in the crash crater, (probably from the October snowstorm) obscuring a good view of the pieces of the plane in the water-filled crater. The limb is about 8-10 inches in diameter, too large to drag out of the way. Maybe someone will someday cut it up and remove it.
We then went to the Indian Kitchen, not far away. This trail is not well worn at all but the orange blazes led us right to it. We wanted to visit Wendell's gravestone but we didn't know where it was. We investigated the old foundations across the dirt road from the crash site and found a lot of trees with numbers painted on them with what looked like acrylic caulk. What's with that? If anyone has a clue, please let me know.
After we returned to the car we drove to Gate 37 and hiked up Soapstone Hill. Great view of the reservoir. |
|
 | Name: |
greatoz |
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 | E-Mail: |
greatoz.tz....gmail |
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| Date Submitted: |
2011-12-26 |
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 | Link: |
 https:// |
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Disclaimer: Reports are not verified - conditions may vary. Use at own risk. Always be prepared when hiking. Observe all signs. Trail conditions reports are not substitutes for weather reports or common sense. |
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