“Finding Sh*t with Stella” on Spruce Mountain (7/8/23)

lots of crossing powerline clearings in the park

I’d been meaning to do this particular loop in Monroe State Forest for over a year now—ever since I did this trail last year as a section of a larger loop that goes through the park’s main draw, Dunbar Brook (one of my fave spots in the region). This would be relatively short (2.5 hours give or take), we’d just do the summit trail that goes to Spruce Mountain from the parking lot at the top (on Main Road), returning along the flattish dirt road, avoiding the brook down below.

jojo coming at ya thru the ferns

I went with Pierce and my friend Stella (and her dog jojo), who is the owner/operator of the Blue Vista Motor Lodge, located at Whitcomb Summit atop the Mohawk Trail (Rt. 2) in rugged Florida, MA. It’s all downhill from the Blue Vista!

Can’t miss the Blue Vista with the big Elk right there.

The beautiful, classic roadside lodge is right on the edge of the park. She’s done an amazing job refurbishing the whole thing (and added a hot tub and sauna, more to come I’m sure…), but the name says it all: the eastward view (from all rooms) over the mountains is really something special, really the top-of-the world, endless sky feel. Spruce mountain is right there on your left looking out, actually quite a bit closer than the trailhead. Stella had been curious to check it out and we’d been talking about doing it for a while now. Today was the day, still humid, but we’d be going in the morning, so wasn’t too hot yet.

old time post card from the summit. It’s been a tourist attraction since the road was built in 1914.

The tricky part about Spruce Mountain trail is that it’s very poorly marked (if at all) and it’s quite overgrown. Not a great combo, so this is one that you might want to go with someone who knows it (or are comfortable using a trail app with gps—had to check several times). The entryway rightward from the old dirt road is barely marked, and we wandered off a few times (but never too far). And it was something of a slow go up in the swampy humid conditions. Dead air, not a trace of a breeze. But then coming back downhill felt (and was) fast.

The bonus aspect of a hike with Stella is that not only is she fun to hike and talk with, she has also acquired an impressive set of animal tracking skills! Yep she’s a legit amateur tracker! There’s a lot to it (just know a bit myself), but a big part of it involves scatology. Yep, looking for (and at) shit. Stella must be pretty good at this because we found evidence of porcupine (by quills), bear, raccoon, coyotes, and even moose. Very cool. So many of these animals are nocturnal or shy, so we hikers rarely get to encounter the full range of animals surrounding us. Tracking fills in these gaps, and makes you see the world through the eyes and minds of these creatures. I definitely intend to pick up more of it.

Moose poop. Hand for scale

However I think the highlight was the summit. Not only was it great to know that the climb was over (did I mention it was hot and humid?), but I didn’t remember there being a vista there… but there it was! Not a huge cutout from the trees, no dramatic cliff, but rather a nice, tight framed view of the ridges eastward and the Deerfield river valley out ahead. Really stunning because the only sign of settlement you can see is the Berkshire East ski area (can’t see the Blue Vista off to the right, but maybe after the leaves fall?). There’s a flatish rock to chill on, have a snack or a smoke, and catch your breath before the descent. Really nice. A summit vista always makes the achievement feel more real.

Me and Stella at the Spruce Mountain summit outlook.

The return down the ridgeline to the dirt road felt quick, as did the flattish walk on the road. Some dirt roads are not great to walk on, but this one is. It’s pretty rough (for atvs, jeeps, etc.), lots of shade, goes through a beautiful forest. I should add that when you hit the road at the three-way intersection, if you walk straight ahead for a bit you get to Raycroft Outlook which also has an amazing view. And from the power-line clearing at the end of the little road you can see the Blue Vista off in the distance westward.

Well, that was it: great short loop, lovely company. Thank you Stella and JoJo! If you don’t mind those two big caveats (not marked, overgrown) I highly recommend it.

Until next time…

-TDG