| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Apple Valley Overlook, Bear Swamp , MA |
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 | Trails: |
Woods road, Beaver Brook Trail, Lookout Trail |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Sunday, May 26, 2024 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Plenty of roadside parking along Hawley Rd. The route to Apple Valley Overook is opposite the parking and the Beaver Brook - Lookout Loop is on the same side as the parking. |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Mud - Minor/Avoidable, Mud - Significant |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
Easily rock hopable |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
Beaver Brook Trail is blazed in white circles and Lookout Trail is blazed in red circles. Signage was in place and I think there was only one mid-sized widow-maker on Beaver Brook Trail. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Good trails for dogs and they are allowed but must be kept on leash at all times. |
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 | Bugs: |
The bugs were not nearly as bad here as they were at High Ledges. |
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 | Lost and Found: |
None |
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 | Comments: |
Third and final hike of the day after the Arcadia Wildlife Sanctuary and the High Ledges Wildlife Sanctuary. I did a quick OAB to the Apple Valley Overlook, then made a clockwise loop around the beaver pond (Bear Swamp? Or does that refer to the larger area?) using Beaver Brook Trail and Lookout Trail. The only one technically needed for redlining is the road to Apple Valley Overlook but it does mention the Beaver Brook - Lookout loop (just doesn't give a distance) and the pond was a pleasant attraction.
Note that the route to Apple Valley Overlook starts as a driveway. It is clearly signed where it diverges and there are "No Trespassing" signs beyond it. I'm so grateful for landowners like this! The view is "pastoral" as the guidebook describes and would be a great spot to bring kids or those with limited mobility as it's such a short and easy hike. Very overgrown though so I would not be surprised to find several ticks on you after this. Note that there's definitely a trail that continues through the overgrown pasture at the overlook though it's not shown on maps yet. I did see a sign for it where it enters the woods again but I didn't go over to look. The loop on the other side of the road was about 1mi long. The pond was very scenic and the brook gave it a slightly more rugged feel. Note that Lookout Trail heading north from the jct Beaver Brook Trail is a bit obscure: go "through" the rocks rather than around to the right. There's a nice viewpoint not too long after this.
I don't recall ground conditions too well but I'd assume there was more significant mud on the Beaver Brook - Lookout loop. Gaia had me at 1.7mi 200ft of gain, 43min. |
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 | Name: |
Liam Cooney |
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 | E-Mail: |
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| Date Submitted: |
2024-05-28 |
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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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