Toby

Dark clouds hunkered down and settled in over the Pioneer Valley of western MA on October 27. Rain fell steadily throughout the morning, and a chilly wind whipped the steel struts of the fire tower at the summit of Mt. Toby in Sunderland. Nevertheless, a sizable field of 65 apparently impervious runners turned out to line up at the start of the annual 14-mile Mt. Toby Trail Race.

Goofy smiles and stubborn good cheer remained evident on racers faces as they neared the aid station at mile 4. Some even leaped for the camera or remarked on how much fun they found themselves having despite being soaked to the bone already. By the time they re-passed the same spot around mile 10, after having climbed to and descended from the top of the mountain most seemed notably more tired, yet everyone still seemed to retain positive attitudes and spirit. I'll remember this race when I want to remember how tough runners can be when the going gets rough. Inspiration fuel!

Lithia

The trail network around Lithia Springs Reservoir on the south side of the western part of the Holyoke Range is a bit dense and complex, but once you get the general lay of it all you can craft a pretty sweet mid-distance trail run there. Here are some photos from a good one I took this fall.

Lithia Springs Reservoir

Holyoke Range trails

Lithia Springs Reservoir

Titan's Piazza

NET Trail / Dry Brook Trail junction

the view from Black Rock

Lithia Springs Reservoir