We, Bob and Ginger, planted this box today on our way home from Amherst.  For anyone headed out towards the Mohawk Trail getting to this beautiful area would be a short diversion and well worth the time.

 

Bear's Den

 

Clue difficulty: easy

Terrain: hilly, at times rock cliffs near path

Distance: 3/4 mi. round trip

Planted: 3/24/02

 

To get to Bear's Den take Route 2 to Route 202 south.  2 miles down 202 you will pass the intersection of Route 122 in New Salem.  Continue on 202 for another .4 mile and take a right onto Elm Street. Follow Elm St. for .7 mile and take a left onto Neilson Rd.  Look for the Trustees of Reservations signpost at .5 mile down Neilson Rd.  Unfortunately, only the post remains with only a couple of fragments of the Trustees sign left hanging on the post. Park on the roadside by the signpost . As soon as you step onto the trail you will notice a sign that relates the history of this parcel.  It is thought that King Philip met here with his warriors during King Philip's War.  The name "Bear's Den"  has a much less auspicious origin as it recalls the shooting of a black bear by an early settler in the area.

 

Follow the trail downhill toward the Swift River.  You will notice a rock foundation of an old gristmill on your right. Continue on down toward the river. Just before you reach the river a trail heads uphill to your left.  Follow this trail to the top of a knoll which will give you a towering view of a waterfall.  Continue climbing up along the cliffside, the river to your right.  You'll find yourself in an enchanting forest of hemlocks.  You may notice  a small tree trunk pocked with several large holes carved by a pileated woodpecker. Watch out for other signs of animal life as you follow the path getting close by the river's edge.  Soon you will have to pass under a large tree trunk that extends over the water, it's top broken off.  Here you will see a large stone wall just ahead and to your left.  Continue straight ahead passing between two trees, a large oak hugging the stone wall on your left and a hemlock grabbing the riverbank on your right.  Turn left and take eight or nine paces along the path following the stone wall. Face the wall.   Step four paces to the wall brushing past a small hemlock on your right.  The bear is in his den hiding behind a long pointed stone lying at the base of the stone wall.

 

Use caution near cliffs and avoid this area in icy conditions.  Please read disclaimer