Northfield Mountain
Northfield Mountain, 1,206 feet (368 m), is a mountain ridge located in Erving and Northfield, Massachusetts. 2.5 miles (4.0 km) long by 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long, the mountain is composed of several distinct peaks and ledges, most notably Rattlesnake Mountain (also known as Farley Ledge) 1,067 feet (325 m), Rose Ledges 1,080 feet (330 m), and Hermit Mountain (the high point). A pumped-storage hydroelectric plant and reservoir occupies the top of the mountain west of the summit.
The 114-mile (183 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail crosses the summit ridge of Northfield Mountain; a series of shorter hiking trails, cross country ski trails, a cross-country running course, and rock climbing routes are also located on the mountain and its ledges.[1] Northfield Mountain is located at the confluence of the Connecticut River and Millers River. A waterfall, Briggs Brook Falls, plunges from its southeast side.
Pumped-storage hydroelectricity facility
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/84/Briggs_Brook_Falls_Massachusetts.jpg/140px-Briggs_Brook_Falls_Massachusetts.jpg)
Engineering studies began in October 1964, with early site preparation starting three years later. In 1972 its 1,080-megawatt hydroelectric plant became operational as the largest such facility in the world.
Recreation
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/Rose_Ledge_Massachusetts.jpg/120px-Rose_Ledge_Massachusetts.jpg)
FirstLight Power Resources also manages recreational resources on the mountain as part of their agreement with the state of Massachusetts. A cross-country ski area is located on the mountain; it includes groomed trails, warming huts, and ski instruction. The 114 mile (183 km) Metacomet-Monadnock Trail traverses the mountain, as do a number of shorter trails. FirstLight also offers camping at nearby Barton Cove, environmental programs, and boat tours of the Connecticut River.
Rose Ledge and Farley Ledges are popular among rock climbers. Farley Ledge has been subject to recent conservation and climbing access initiatives. Hermit Mountain is the site of "Hermit's Castle," a state historic site where John Smith, a local recluse, made his home from 1857 to 1900.
Geologic history
Northfield Mountains' geologic story can begin in the late pre-Cambrian Period. The ancient pre-Cambrian rocks are more than 600 million years old and are found only in the Western Berkshires of Massachusetts and in the Green Mountains of Vermont.
See also
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/3/3c/Farley_Ledges_Massachusetts.jpg/120px-Farley_Ledges_Massachusetts.jpg)
References
- ^ "Toughest cross-country course in Western Mass.: Northfield Mountain is most formidable". masslive.com. Retrieved 2018-09-14.
External links
- Northfield Mountain Recreation & Environmental Programs
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Hoosac Range | |
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Others |
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- Bare Mountain
- Long Mountain
- Mount Hitchcock
- Mount Holyoke
- Mount Norwottuck
- Round Mountain
- Seven Sisters
- Bare Mountain
- Crag Mountain
- East Mountain
- Farley Ledges
- Mount Grace
- Mount Hitchcock
- Mount Holyoke
- Mount Lincoln
- Mount Nonotuck
- Mount Norwottuck
- Mount Orient
- Stratton Mountain
- Mount Toby
- Mount Tom
- Northfield Mountain
- Pine Cobble Mountain
- Provin Mountain
- Round Mountain
- Seven Sisters
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Mount Nonotuck
- Mount Tom
- Sugarloaf Mountain
- Alander Mountain
- Berlin Mountain
- Berry Hill
- Berry Mountain
- Brodie Mountain
- Doll Mountain
- Holy Mount
- Honwee Mountain
- Misery Mountain
- Mount Everett
- Mount Fitch
- Mount Fray
- Mount Frissell
- Mount Greylock
- Mount Race
- Mount Raimer
- Mount Williams
- Pine Mountain
- Poppy Mountain
- Potter Mountain
- Round Mountain
- Rounds Mountain
- Saddle Ball Mountain
- Shaker Mountain
- Smith Mountain
- Tower Mountain
- White Rock
- Great Blue Hill
- Little Tom Mountain
- Mount Jefferson
- Mount Pisgah
- Mount Wachusett
- Peaked Mountain
- Pine Hill
- Scorton Hill
- Tully Mountain
- Waitt's Mountain
- White Hill