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On October 14th NES2KO did, itís a curvy sixty plus mile drive.
Fall's hottest show? The deciduous trees of Massachusetts! For S2000 freaks, we headed southwest from Historic Deerfield down route 5 onto route 116 west, treating our eyes to 40 miles of blazing fall foliage, much of it within the Mohawk Trail Region. As a finale, the Summit featured 1,000-foot cliffs and, if you're lucky, peregrine falcons. Now beware of the Hairpin turn as it had its share of victims.
The trail began life as a Native American footpath across the Berkshires, used for trade, hunting, and social calling by five tribes, including the Pocumtuck and the Mohawk. After the colonization, the trail was successively widened and repaved, and its route altered to accommodate changing modes of transportation. All the stages of the region's economic life are represented: wild forests and mountains, colonial trading and farming villages, 19th century manufacturing towns, and the 20th century retrofitted rust belt. In 1914, at the dawn of the automobile age, the Mohawk Trail was declared a scenic route, the first such one.
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The Hidden Hills of Western Massachusetts sums up our drive through route 116 after we left Historic Deerfield. The region consisted of many small towns. The "Hidden" aspect of the Hidden Hills got its reputation from the fact that there are NO interstate highway exits anywhere in the region. It started off rather straight gaining altitude then twists and turns, mostly down hill, to Rt 8a and turns more sweeping from route 8a to route 2.
On route 2 we stop off at the Mohawk Trail State Forest. One of the most scenic woodland areas in Massachusetts, the state forest offered us a taste of real wilderness in a rustic setting. Our grills ensured that we didnít go hungry as well.
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Continuing up the trail, the next stop was the Whitcomb Summit, the top of the trail. From this elevation, 2,173 feet, one can see far into southern Vermont and New Hampshire. It is home to the Elk Memorial on the highest point of the Mohawk Trail.
A point of interest on the trail is the Hairpin Turn, where the trail rises sharply to the Western Summit (called Spirit Mountain by Native Americans). There is an observation point from which excellent views of mountainous portions of southern Vermont and northwestern Massachusetts can be seen including Mount Greylock, Mount Prospect and Mount Williams.
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The breathtaking Western Summit and the Hairpin Turn are the entrance into North Adams. In the nineteenth century this city was a bustling hub of the textile and shoe industry.
The final stop is the Western Gateway Heritage State Park, located on Route 8 in the center of North Adams. The freight yard district of North Adams has been restored and now houses a variety of contemporary and historical attractions, including an excellent exhibit on the building of the Hoosac Tunnel.
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