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A panorama of vivid fall colors blossomed before us as we crested Goat Peak along the Metacomet-Monadnock trail and enjoyed our
first breathtaking view of the valley below.
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From the nearby hawk-watching tower, more great views await us, including this one of the Connecticut River to
our north. To the east we can see the Mt. Holyoke Range on the river's opposite bank, as well as the cities of
Springfield and Hartford to our south.
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The town of Easthampton comes into sharp focus to our west as we continue hiking south along the
Metacomet-Monadnock trail toward the Mt. Tom Summit.
|
Andrew, Gabe and Zach navigate the basalt ridge. The trail's
many twists and turns and ups and downs gave our feet a workout and kept our minds alert while trekking
a loop of nearly nine adventurous miles to the 1,202-foot summit and back.
|
Nicoleta and Zach check out the views from the top of the ridge. At right, the other Zach explores one of the
mountain's basalt pillars. |
Continuing along the jagged basalt ridge line, we seemingly find ourselves stopping every few steps to gaze out at one
incredible view after another. |
We get a nice look at the Connecticut River oxbow, which lies just north of the Mt. Tom reservation. |
Yet another picturesque view of Easthampton from further along the trail.
|
We're almost there... all eight of us closing in on the Mt. Tom summit, with Easthampton a bit further behind.
|
The actual summit is cluttered with radio and TV towers, which Greg photographs from a ledge just below.
|
A panorama of vivid fall colors blossomed before us as we crested Goat Peak along the Metacomet-Monadnock trail and enjoyed our
first breathtaking view of the valley below.
From the nearby hawk-watching tower, more great views await us, including this one of the Connecticut River to
our north. To the east we can see the Mt. Holyoke Range on the river's opposite bank, as well as the cities of
Springfield and Hartford to our south.
The town of Easthampton comes into sharp focus to our west as we continue hiking south along the
Metacomet-Monadnock trail toward the Mt. Tom Summit.
Andrew, Gabe and Zach navigate the basalt ridge. The trail's
many twists and turns and ups and downs gave our feet a workout and kept our minds alert while trekking
a loop of nearly nine adventurous miles to the 1,202-foot summit and back.
Nicoleta and Zach check out the views from the top of the ridge. At right, the other Zach explores one of the
mountain's basalt pillars.
Continuing along the jagged basalt ridge line, we seemingly find ourselves stopping every few steps to gaze out at one
incredible view after another.
We get a nice look at the Connecticut River oxbow, which lies just north of the Mt. Tom reservation.
Yet another picturesque view of Easthampton from further along the trail.
We're almost there... all eight of us closing in on the Mt. Tom summit, with Easthampton a bit further behind.
The actual summit is cluttered with radio and TV towers, which Greg photographs from a ledge just below.
The sun finally poked through the clouds as we began our descent, illuminating the mountain's basalt tower
nicely. After an hour and a half of brisk hiking down the mountain, we were back at our starting point and
ready to hit the road.