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Noble View provides recreational opportunities for
the
entire family. In addition to hiking on 34 miles of trails on Noble
View’s 358.5
acres and the surrounding land, Noble View offers:
- Orienteering
- Snowshoeing
- Cross-country skiing
- Downhill skiing (Blandford Ski Area, nearby)
- Snow sledding
- Canoeing, kayaking, fishing (on nearby rivers, lakes, and
ponds)
- Backpacking
- Country road bicycling
- Bird watching
- Nature study
- Swimming (at nearby Russell Pond)
The Appalachian Trail,
Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, and Connecticut’s
Tunxis Trail area all a short drive away, as are the Berkshire’s
many cultural attractions.
Maps
Download
our trail map, created by Larry Garland, AMC's cartographer.
(Cautionary note:
trails have not yet been blazed in the colors indicated on the map. The
intersection numbers are posted by numbers marked on white tape,
affixed to trees with yellow rope. Work to complete permanent
intersection numbers, new
signage, and colored trail blazing is ongoing.)
We also have two USGS topographic maps, the first of Noble View and
surrounding property, the second showing protected lands
in the Lower
Westfield River Watershed (be warned: the latter is a very large
file, and may take some time to download).
Suggested
Walks
Below are links to descriptions of several wonderful
walks, but
your review of the map will reveal many other opportunities.
When
leaving the vicinity of the
buildings at Noble View, in almost any direction, you will be going
downhill, sometimes on steep grades--which means that to return, you
will have to climb uphill. If you question
your capacity for uphill walking, don't go too far downhill before
turning back.
Trail
Work Days
We hold trail
maintenance work days from time to
time. We
meet at the Tool Shed at 9:00am, and usually work for several hours.
Volunteers are always welcome, especially new and prospective AMC
members! See the News and Events page for
upcoming work days.
Trail work at Noble View is a great
opportunity to meet other Berkshire Chapter members, and to feel good
while doing
good. No experience is necessary, and you don’t need to bring tools.
All you need is water, sturdy boots and gloves, lunch/snacks, and
clothing appropriate to the weather.
Swimming is available at nearby Russell Pond.
Swimming passes and parking passes are required. A lifeguard is on duty
during
the summer swimming season.
The beach is located 1.7 miles from Noble View. Go through the gate and
turn right. At the end of South Quarter Road, turn left. Russell Pond
is one-half mile on the left. The road on the left just past the pond
is marked with a sign that says Boy Scout Reservation. Turn left there.
The town beach is located at the fenced-in area.
Swimming and parking passes are kept in the Farmhouse, just outside the
door on the left
in a locked cabinet (your gate key will open the cabinet). Passes must
be
displayed on your dashboard in order for you to park at and use the
town beach.
Noble View is not responsible for parking tickets.
Only a limited number of passes are available. Please return the
passes promptly so they can be available for other guests.
Parking at the beach is very limited. Please car pool where possible.
A lifeguard is on duty from June 26 through September 5, from 11:00 am
until 6:00pm. The beach can be used at other times at your own risk, as
long as beach and parking permits are displayed.
HIKE SAFE--THE
HIKER RESPONSIBILITY
CODE
We strongly encourage everyone who participates in
outdoor recreation to take responsibility for themselves, to plan
ahead, and to be prepared for the unexpected.
The Hiker
Responsibility
Code was developed and is endorsed by the White Mountain
National
Forest and New Hampshire Fish and Game. See hikeSafe’s website
for excellent planning and safety information. Although conditions in
the White Mountains differ from those in Western
Massachusetts, the Hiker Responsibility Code establishes an excellent
standard for hiker safety.
You are responsible for
yourself, so be prepared:
1. With knowledge and gear.
Become self reliant by learning about the
terrain, conditions, local weather and your equipment before you start.
2. To leave your plans.
Tell someone where you are going, the trails
you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans.
3. To stay together. When
you start as a group, hike as a group, end as
a group. Pace your hike to the slowest person.
4. To turn back. Weather
changes quickly in the mountains. Fatigue and
unexpected conditions can also affect your hike. Know your limitations
and when to postpone your hike. The mountains will be there another day.
5. For emergencies. Even
if you are headed out for just an hour, an
injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening.
Don’t assume you will be rescued; know how to rescue yourself.
6. To share the hiker code with
others.
For full safety information,
including emergency instructions and
contact information for local hospitals and fire departments, see the Safety page.
PLEASE BE
RESPECTFUL OF THE LAND
Much of the Noble View trail system is outside the
boundaries
of AMC-owned property. The usual consideration for property of others
should be shown when hiking these trails, and the rule of “Carry In,
Carry Out” should be rigorously observed.
In accordance with Leave No Trace practices, when you reach muddy
places in the trail, we ask that you trudge through the mud, rather
than widening the trail by walking on its shoulder. Please practice Leave
No Trace principles on and off the Noble View property.
Our respectful use of our neighbors’
land is very important, as is providing our neighbors with any
information possible about the disrespectful use of their land by
others. Contact the Noble View Chair, Rob
Robertson, to report any damaging or disrespectful use of
the trails and properties you walk through, or any problems such as wet
places or trees down across the trails. Be prepared to provide precise
locations, so we can address the problems or provide accurate
information to the property owners.
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