Today the Mohawk Trail is a part of
Routes 2 and
2A. It follows much of the original Indian trail, from
Westminster, Massachusetts to
Williamstown, Massachusetts, for about 69 miles (111 km), and passes through the communities of
Orange,
Erving,
Gill,
Greenfield,
Shelburne,
Buckland,
Charlemont,
Savoy,
Florida and
North Adams. The
Berkshire mountains are clearly visible from several points.
The modern day Mohawk Trail is considered one of the most beautiful drives in Massachusetts. There are numerous points of interest along the way, including many scenic viewpoints,
roadside attractions and gift shops.[2] Of particular note is
Hail to the Sunrise at Mohawk Park, a statue made in tribute to Native American heritage. A portion of the trail parallels the Deerfield River for several miles, and passes through the village of
Shelburne Falls, and the
Bridge of Flowers. The route crosses the
Connecticut River via the historic
French King Bridge at a height of 140 feet. The road reaches a high elevation of 2272 feet at Whitcomb Summit. On the western side of the summit there is the popular
hairpin turn and lookout, overlooking the city of North Adams and the
Taconic Mountains. On the eastern side, the highway descends steeply eastward from Whitcomb Summit down the slope of the Hoosac Range following the Cold River to the Deerfield River. Notable features include the infamous Dead Man's Curve.[3]
A six-mile section of the Mohawk Trail was severely damaged by
Hurricane Irene in August 2011. A considerable portion of the road is surrounded by the
Mohawk Trail State Forest, a 6,400-acre (26 km2) forest, known for its camping, and occasional encounters with
bobcats and
black bears. Within this area there is substantial acreage of
old growth forest containing many of the tallest trees in Massachusetts as verified by the Eastern Native Tree Society.[4]
The route passes close to
Vermont's southern border, and alternate routes travel north into Vermont to
Harriman Reservoir and Ball Mountain State Park. The western terminus in Williamstown provides access to
Mount Greylock,
U.S. Route 7, and
New York State Route 2.
A portion of the historic footpath route, running through Florida, Savoy, and Charlemont, from the confluence of the Cold and Deerfield Rivers up the Cold River valley to Wheeler Brook, was added to the
National Register of Historic Places on April 3, 1973. This route, where the footpath itself is no longer extant in original form, is located on the north bank of the Cold River, with the modern roadway running along the south bank included in the listed area as an intrusion on the setting.[5]
Repair of Route 2 after a 6-mile washout along the Cold River caused by Hurricane Irene.
"The Elk On The Trail" statue, Whitcomb's Summit
The Western Summit near the end of the Mohawk Trail, looking towards North Adams and the
Taconic Range
Massachusetts Route 2 at the beginning of the Mohawk Trail, Williamstown
^NRHP nomination for Mohawk Trail. File Unit: National Register of Historic Places and National Historic Landmarks Program Records: Massachusetts, 1964 - 2012. National Archive. Retrieved 2017-12-11.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mohawk Trail.