Mt. Pollux, Amherst, MA

Update: How to Find It

OK. A couple of things. There are two roads, easily confused. One is called Mt Pollux and is NOT the street that leads to the parking area - it's a dead end and signed as such. If you were coming from South Amherst Common you would pass it first and continue 3/10 of a mile down the road to Mt. Pollux itself. Coming from Bay road, if you see the dead end you've already passed the entrance. Adjacent to the drive up to the parking area is a yellow house with a red metal roof. The street looks like it could be the driveway to this house, but of course keeps going. If you have not reached the parking area in about 20 seconds you are on the wrong street. There is only room for one car and tall grasses line the road and mid summer almost choke it.
Hope that helps!

Original Post:
Just off SouthEast St. in Amherst is a small road leading up a hill to a parking area with half a dozen spots. Leading up the hill is a path through a meadow (home to small yellow butterflies in number). At the top of the hill you have a 360 degree view of trees, mountains, and steeples. Several enormous shade trees and a few benches make this a divine picnic spot.

The Amateur Astronomers Association meets here.

Also,
Paneurhythmy - Meditative movement set to sacred music every Saturday, Sunday and holiday at 8 a.m., Mt. Pollux, South East St., Amherst. Free. 253-0628 or 549-1112.

Julius Lester Trail, Amherst, MA

This walk begins in the wooden area adjacent to Mill River's baseball fields. The trail leads you over charming wooden bridges and along the edge of the river. We paused our walk at Puffer's Pond for lunch, then returned the way we had come. There is a path that leads around the pond, but our guys didn't have the stamina.


You do have to cross a road on this walk - it is pretty clear up ahead but it's something to be aware of. Upon reaching the road, cross the bridge, then cross the road, then continue up a paved path to pick up the trail to the pond. The blazes are yellow diamonds.

Amethyst Brook Conservation Area, Amherst, MA

Parking is ample at the entrance to the trail. This is a walk filled with dogs, so be prepared for that. You will first encounter a wide lane, leading to a field, which borders the wooded area. You will arrive at the brook immediately upon entering the trees. There is a sturdy wooden bridge crossing the stream. It is neither deep nor fast, though in the spring might not be safe for a two year old. If your kids are like mine, you can then park yourself on a rock and drink your coffee while they throw rocks in the water. Have them wear their crocs/water shoes. When/If they tire of this activity, you can wander a number of little trails that all lead basically to the same area. You can't get lost. There are some smaller streams snaking through the woods that the kids have enjoyed bridging with branches and damming up with mud and rocks. Under the trees it is very shady, so early and late in the season it can be chillier than you thought.

Amethyst Brook

Notch Visitor Center, Amherst, MA

First, you'll find ample and convenient parking at the bottom of a long stairway. At the top you may head directly to the trail or into the Visitor Center. I have mixed feelings about this place. One thing that helps is when it's actually open- you can't count on it. The restrooms are functional at best, but several times they didn't even pass that test. When the main area is open to the public, it is a fun place to spend about 20 minutes with the kids. They have many bird specimens, and even a dinosaur footprint. The staff, when there, are friendly.
During the summer, Ranger Rich offers a WONDERFUL program on Saturday mornings. Each week has a theme which encompasses a story, an art project, and hands-on nature work, such as finding a pill bug and examining it under a magnifying glass, or taking a walk to discover birds' nests.
My favorite thing to do here is walk a short trail with the kids. At .75 miles, even a two year old can handle this hike. It is a short loop- no arguments about when to turn around, and the blazes are close together and easy to follow - good for teaching your kids about following them.