| Hiking Trail Conditions Report |
 | Peaks |
Mt. Grace, MA |
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 | Trails: |
New England Trail, Over-The-Top Loop |
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 | Date of Hike: |
Saturday, November 15, 2025 |
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 | Parking/Access Road Notes: |
Room for several vehicles at the height-of-land on Gulf Rd. in Northfield (Brush Mountain Conservation Area). |
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 | Surface Conditions: |
Dry Trail, Snow - Trace/Minimal Depth, Wet Trail |
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 | Recommended Equipment: |
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 | Water Crossing Notes: |
There were actually these things called "streams" on the trail- amazing after the prolonged drought! All were either bridged or easy stepovers / rock hops. |
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 | Trail Maintenance Notes: |
As long as you keep your eyes open, the white blazing on the New England Trail is excellent- abundant and generally marking the sharp turns well. I managed to miss a right turn heading northbound from Mt. Grace, ended up on an unblazed XC ski trail / forest road, and encountered a huge tangle of blowdowns just above the Mt. Grace lean-to. This is not part of the actual New England Trail, so may not require maintenance, but if maintenance is intended, it would likely take significant saw work to get through all of the downed limbs. |
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 | Dog-Related Notes: |
Would be an excellent trail for them- believe they need to be leashed throughout the New England Trail. |
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 | Bugs: |
None. A fringe benefit of temperatures in the 20's! |
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 | Lost and Found: |
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 | Comments: |
A very pleasant 22-mile out-and-back on section 17 of the MA New England Trail, staying at relatively low elevations (the highest point was Mt. Grace, just above 1,600'). Scenic highlights included Hidden Pond, the east view from Stratton Mtn. (at the Richardson-Zlogar Cabin) that I brilliantly did not visit, because I thought it was just a cabin, and a nice panorama after climbing the Mt. Grace fire tower. There was a dusting to 1/2" of snow on much of the trail, especially earlier in the day and near the summit of Mt. Grace. Never would have considered microspikes, though there were a couple of small icy patches on rocks and wooden bridges. There are plenty of white blazes marking the NET, but if you stop paying attention, it is possible to wander onto one of the many intersecting trails. Except for the forest road sections, you are probably off trail if go travel more than 100 yards without seeing a blaze in either direction. Full route details on Unnecessary Climb! |
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 | Name: |
Jason |
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 | E-Mail: |
kurlando7@hotmail.com |
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| Date Submitted: |
2025-11-23 |
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 | Link: |
 https://unnecessaryclimb.wordpress.com/ma-new-england-trail-section-17/ |
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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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