497. MA NET - Holyoke/Easthampton: Raptor on the Ridge

The M&M/NET along the Mt.Tom Range mostly hugs the Holyoke/Easthampton border, just as the Holyoke Range on the east side of the Connecticut River mostly hugs the Hadley/South Hadley and Amherst/Granby borders. The whole range is riddled with letterboxes, many accessed from the state park. However, since there was once a hotel called the "Eyrie House" on the northern escarpment (much like the Old Holyoke Mountain House on the other side of the river), we thought that it would be appropriate to leave this red-tailed hawk heading up there via the shorter northern access route. Of course, this half-mile hike will only get you about half-way to the "Eyrie"(ruins), but you can easily continue to "ad lib" your way onward and upward, if you're feeling "golden"!

To get to the Mt. Tom northern access from "Skunky", head north from the Mass Pike underpass on East Mountain Rd to route 202, then several miles east, following signs and turns, to I-91 north. Go 2 exits north (16 to 18), then a few miles south on route 5 to East St. Go west on East St. under the I-91 overpass, turn left onto Underwood Drive, and park near the grassy swath under the powerline right of way just a bit down the road.

It may be hot out here in the blistering sun, but just a few hundred feet up the grassy powerline swath, turning left with the white blazes will get you back into the cool welcoming woods. Follow the trail curving gently uphill, on and off an old woods road. After a slight downhill and a large 2-trunk hemlock on the left edge of the trail, start looking for a 3 X 4' basalt boulder about 5 steps off trail left. It has a tall tree to its left and a forked mossy log propped on its top right. Look behind the mid point of the boulder under some stones covered with leaves. (If you reach the blue-blazed McCool Trail, you've gone a bit too far for this particular raptor, but feel free to fly along as far as you please!)

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