Western Massachusetts Tacomas

Nice! This is great info @js312 Much appreciated. When was the last time you were up there?
I will report back my findings too. Try to snap a few shot too. Didn't have much time to do that yesterday, the little monster wakes up once the truck stops moving. Motion junkie.

 

I've gone up twice this year, but stayed on Whitney Place Rd both times. Followed it to West Branch Rd. from Becket once then went up West Branch to Washington Mountain. Second time I went where you did, but went past the reservoir for maybe a mile and turned around.

 

Will go up there again between painting phases.

 

@DrFunker does haddad have a 2016 already? I just found this, lol. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1g8ML-kpoc

 

hmmmm
May be worth a little drive over there to kick some tires.

I am in the middle of my slider install, but maybe between coats of paint, I will stop over to rattle the cage a little.

 

Let me know what you find. Lets keep this within the western mass circle

 

Bringing camera and sunglasses.

 

@skiergd011013
This is as close as I got.
They told me (after sitting me down, offering me a bottle of water, sniffing my ass, etc) that the earliest would be the end of August but more likely end of Sept beginning of Oct.
Did get to see about a dozen new frames waiting to be installed though.

 

so in other words, No fu***** clue. lol

 

That was the impression I got.

 

Did some exploring in Oct. Mtn. S.F.
I have to say, we live in a place with a lot of hidden gems. This was another one of those finds.
The roads I took were all unpaved/passable roads. Any 2WD vehicle with enough clearance could drive them.
The day before I tried going in to the s.f. through New Lenox Rd. on the North side of the property.
Got as far as a construction site (about 2.5 miles) then turned around.

Next day I wanted to check this place out a bit more but through a different access point (based on @js312 info. Thanks).
Tried a NE approach from Pittsfield Rd. On the DCR map for this s.f. there is a road listed as the other end of New Lenox Rd.

This road slowly started to close in the further I went. Turned around, and headed down Pittsfield Rd. a bit further.
The next road on the map was Beach Rd. which is the cross roads of the AT. Looked accessible, but that was just at the beginning of the road. Think it turns to crap at Ashley Lake Rd.

Will show you where this road comes out in a few more pics.

Next and last point of access (for me) was the West Branch Rd.

This road is in great shape. Looks like they dropped some recycled black top (R.A.P.) which makes for a really nice surface once packed down.

Went straight on to where there seemed to be a parking area listed on the map. There was and more.

Back out to check the other roads. Found many locked gates that were heavily fortified around the edges.

Here is the other end of Ashley Rd. trail. Rugged but possible passable.

On to the best discovery (I think) in the forest. Headed down Lenox-Whitney Rd. to the intersection of L-W Rd. and Schermerhorn Rd.

This road has some promise. Would like to get back here later. This would be the road that I was trying to get through on the previous day. Looks passable but more rugged.

Took Schermerhorn Rd. west.

And came to this!

At the end of Schermerhorn Rd. was that closed gate.

Two actually.

Headed out on County Rd. SE from here.

There were only a few miles of road that I did not drive on while exploring this s.f. All of them seem to be in great shape! I did not pass a single vehicle traveling in the 2 hours I was in there. I like that.

Had to go back later for the sunset. What a spot.

Thanks for reading. Thanks to @js312 for the info.

@skiergd011013 @ERMB

 

I drove through that Ashley Trail. Looks similar to what it was when I did it last year. Passable, but a little beyond what I'd normally drive on.

Never found any of those views--I'll have to go back up sometime!

 

So Toyota plans on keeping the 3rd gens around for a decade like the 2nd gens...

 

@DrFunker Checked out the remnants of ponterill today. Used to go here as a kid a lot. Interesting to see how it looks today. the pool

 

the deep end. I used to feel like such a rebel crossing over the divider and swimming in here.

 

pool house

 

tennis courts. This is INSIDE the tennis court!

 

Where is this place?
Whoa.

 

its ponterill, it was a big outdoor recreation spot. Swimming pool, tennis, basketball, camps etc. Its on the road that is right by hancock rd, by the pontoosuc boat launch. Its called east acres road. You'll also see the vette parked right there, at the entrance to the road. There is a yellow gate, but it was open.

 

That is so funny. I was just over in that area about an hour ago. Saw the vette too!