Peaked Mountain, Massachusetts
|
Peaked Mountain
|
||
 The Lunden Pond in the reserve |
||
| location | Massachusetts , United States | |
| surface | 135 ha | |
| WDPA ID | 55554146 | |
| Geographical location | 42 ° 3 ' N , 72 ° 20' W | |
|
||
| Setup date | 1999 | |
| administration | The Trustees of Reservations | |
Peaked Mountain ( German pointed mountain ) is the name of a 333 acres (1.3 km² ) large nature reserve around the eponymous, 1,184 ft (360.9 m ) high mountain near Monson in the state of Massachusetts in the United States . It is managed by The Trustees of Reservations organization.
history
Remnants of coal piles and fireplaces still suggest that Peaked Mountain was primarily used for the extraction of charcoal in the 19th century to supply fuel to the surrounding iron smelters and forges . For this purpose trees were felled, set up in a round arrangement to form a charcoal pile, covered with earth and set on fire. They then had to be supervised by the charcoal burners for up to ten days to ensure that the wood was glowing but not burning. In the 20th century, a cooperative operated intensive forestry for the production of timber and firewood on the mountain.
In the mid-1990s, landowners Len and Roslyn Harrington began preserving their land for posterity. They were also able to win over some of their neighbors, local supporters, the city council of Monson and the Norcross Wildlife Foundation to participate in the measures. In cooperation with the Trustees of Reservations, a total of around 1,000 acres (4 km²) could be protected. In October 1999, the Peaked Mountain Conservation Area was inaugurated. In 2009, a 37 acre parcel was added.
Protected area
The sanctuary is one of the most pristine and underdeveloped areas in Massachusetts, with large areas of pristine forest. From the highest point of the mountain there is a northward view over the catchment area of the Quabbin Reservoir and, in clear weather, even as far as Mount Monadnock in the neighboring state of New Hampshire . See Connecticut's Shenipsit State Forest to the south, Mount Wachusett to the northeast, and Springfield to the west . The climb to the summit has an elevation gain of 467 ft (142.3 m) and can be climbed in less than an hour.
Songbirds such as thrushes , passerines , blue jays , cardinals and black-headed tits , but also birds of prey such as turkey vultures , falcons and barred owls can be observed in the forest . A side path leads around the Lunden Pond . In total, 3.5 mi (5.6 km ) of hiking trails are available to visitors.
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ Property History. The Trustees of Reservations , accessed April 27, 2014 .
- ↑ About Peaked Mountain. The Trustees of Reservations , accessed April 27, 2014 .