Western Massachusetts Tacomas

Yeah, I am totally going by your recommendation.
Would be great to explore these roads then hit the Dreamaway Lodge for a beverage.

 

perfect, thanks. Thats the road i'll be going up. Starts at woods pond as schemerhorn, turns into lower tower.

 

will you go up schemerhorn/lower tower and report back? Damn, i'd so join you if I could.

 

Alright, if I don't go now. I won't go because I will get sucked into something else.
I'm off to explore a little.
Will post up my finding.
Water....check.
map....check.
camera....check.
extra underwear.....check


(just kidding, who wears those things anyway?)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ3zZ-aWi6U

 

Was going to go down Washington Mtn Rd. from County Rd. out the s.f. then up Schermerhorn to the overlook.
When you planning on going?

 

You at work @skiergd011013 ?

 

im going sunday late morning. My sister and I are going to search for the cemetery. I'm confident I found the location on satellite. Also, near your waypoint you sent me, to the right of halfway pond, on the right side of the road, there is a house/structure set off in the woods. You can see a clearing/the house on satellite. I want to check this out as well.

 

yes

 

Ware, probably the last town considered western mass. Hello all

It would be nice to find some trails out further west. Glad i found this

 

There are a few nice exploring roads out in the Berserkshires.

 

beware of swinging doors today. Door open assist a.k.a the wind is in full gear.

 

Okay...
Took County Rd. from Becket in the the Oct. Mtn s.f. Took the left at the fork in the road heading down Wash. Mtn. Rd. Road is in good shape, wide enough for two vehicles to get by each other.

Many closed gates on the right side that lead to the Oct Mtn. res. I am sure these would make for good hiking.
I stopped at an intersection where there was a sign that said "Road Closed During Logging Hours".

While stopped a large dump truck came behind me with a full load of stone and headed in that signed road. I kept going straight. Came to another reservoir. Got out to take a couple pictures on the dike. Nice area.

Kept heading in. Came came to another fork where it looked like the road turned into less road and more trail.

Definitely not wide enough to let anyone coming the other way pass. I believe this was Wash. Mtn Trail. The one that @js312 has mentioned. I took the left to see where it would go instead of heading down the trail. Wasn't far down the road that I faced a closed gate.

Turned around and swung into the trail.

Not a bad road/trail until past the damn then there is a questionable bridge and narrower road. The trail after the bridge narrows some and is much rockier. The terrain reminded me of Whitney Place Rd. Got to another bridge that was even more questionable than the first one. I took some time to walk over it and get a good view from the side.

I didn't think it would handle a vehicle like what I was in. Seemed to be designed more for light weight vehicles (dirt bike, snowmobiles, etc.) There appeared to be a path that led through the brook that heavier vehicles went through but I wasn't about to do that alone, so I turned around and headed back toward County Rd.
with the target being Schermerhorn Rd.

Schermerhorn Rd. is paved and is open. 'nuff said.

Went in toward Lee to see if I could find the other end of Wash. Mtn. Rd. Found that and hiked in a little to see what the conditions were like from the opposite end.

Much the same as the side I tried to access from the s.f.

So...more exploring needs to be done. I want to check out Wash. Mtn. Rd. a bit more. Seems like a fun road to take in to the s.f., much like Whitney Place Rd. from New Lenox Rd.

Thanks for all the help and advice @js312 & @skiergd011013
Thanks for reading.

Even had time to stop for lunch and wash the truck after the adventure.

 

do the roads up there have signs/markers?

 

Some do. Not all. I had to make a few educated guesses on some roads.
I am uploading pics now. Will add them to my post above.

edit: The gates are all numbered. That is a big help too. Grab a map when you pass by the s.f. HQ for Oct. Mtn.

 

Ah-Hmmm, why are you not in school today sir?

 

hahaha
Personal day. Needed to get out of there. Has been a long and difficult week. Needed to clear my head.

 

thanks funker. I'm going to check out just schemerhorn after work at 5. then sunday, I am going to go past burgners farm up that road, and enter the forest on W.Branch road. And then Leave via lower tower/Schemerhorn. These seem to be the widest, and actual "roads"

 

I hear ya, need one of those myself soon. After the week you had it's well deserved, enjoy your weekend!

 

Yes. You are correct.
Whitney Place Rd. and Wash. Mtn. Rd. Trail are the narrowest in there it seems. But those are in the middle, condition-wise.
There are actually many other very narrow roads scattered in that place.

edit: Grab a map.

 

Thanks Scott. You too.