Mohawk Trail State Forest
Mohawk Trail State Forest (MTSF) in Western Massachusetts is a 7,000+ acre state property, established in 1921 as one of several state forests. MTSF features sparkling streams and mountain views with elevations varying from 600 to 2,080 feet.
Two river gorges are located in or adjacent to MTSF: the Cold and Deerfield River Gorges, both achieving depths of a thousand feet. MTSF has been declared a Department of Conservation and Recreation Forest Reserve, which precludes commercial timber harvesting.
There are other state reserves, but unlike most, MTSF boasts a sizable acreage of old growth forest with trees that have been dated to between 400 and 500 years. The oldest eastern hemlock in the state grows in MTSF, and exceeds 500 years.
MTSF and adjoining Savoy Mountain State Forest hold close to half of all old growth in Massachusetts. Beyond the old growth, there is a mature second growth forest, featuring a wealth of extremely tall eastern white pines.
There are at least 146 of these pines reaching a height of 150 feet or more. Two pines exceed 170 feet with 24 reaching to 160 or more feet. No other property in the Northeast of comparable size surpasses this wealth of trees surpassing 150 feet.
A third resource of MTSF is its rich cultural past. The famous Mohawk Trail runs through the property with 1.25 miles as original trail along the Todd-Clark Ridge. Many prominent Native Americans have visited MTSF and offered ceremonies in the past.
Three areas have been dedicated to Native Americans including the Trees of Peace, Elder Grove, and Jani Memorial.
Robert Leverett taking measurements.