Mt. Grace via Around-the-Mountain Trail and NET (Mt. Grace State Forest)
Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 3.92 miles
Elevation: 1,093 feet
My Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Book Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Parking: Ample parking at Ohlson Field/trailhead.
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge 2026, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge
The Hike
It's a wedding weekend! I was heading to the Hartford area for my college friend's wedding. Naturally, I used this as an excuse to get out into the Pioneer Valley to do some exploring. Today my mission was to visit three fire towers in the area: Mt. Grace (a repeat for a disc), Mt. Lincoln, and Provin Mountain. My alarm went off at 5:00am and after slowly getting up and packing, I was out the door by 5:45! I had a stunning drive on Route 2 as the sun rose behind me, and an even more beautiful drive once I got off of Route 2 as the fall colors began to shine in the morning light. I even saw a Bald Eagle overhead! I was feeling mighty sleepy, but slowly I felt better as the sun came up. I was still stuffy and boogery from whatever illness I (still) have, but again, feeling a little better.
It was a cool 39 degree morning with abundant sunshine. MAN. I love fall! There was one car at the trailhead, my tummy was weird, and I was officially in my NEW Merrell hiking shoes (not those monsters from Walmart). It was also the first hike with my 40-liter bag that I use in the winter. Here we go!
I decide to do the loop counter-clockwise, only because I hiked it clockwise last time and remembering the back half taking a while. I hiked across the meadow, which was not flooded (unlike last time), and joined the Around-the-Mountain Trail, which was blazed with blue triangles. The trail here was a bit of a roller coaster that trended downwards through very pretty woods.
I crossed a bridge over a mossy stream that led me into a younger forest, and I found myself wondering if the younger trees were from logging, the ski area growing in, or just somehting else? The trail eventually split at an unsigned, unmapped junction. The trail continued left and turning right brought me over a bridge to a little picnic area - it was cute!
I spent some time in the "processing the breakup" void - tomorrow will be two weeks post-mortem and I think I'm doing better. I kept circling back to the point that we weren't experiencing life the same. I would think we had a really great evening/day/weekend, but he would feel otherwise, and that disconnect is no way to live life.
I hiked past a nice collection of mushrooms and enjoyed hiking in actually nice shoes. I eventually came to a four-way junction, where an old piece of metal had an arrow drawn in it to guide the way. I passed an old rope tow motor just after pinging one mile, and couldn't help but notice how I would have had no idea this was an old ski area if it wasn't for the old motor and guide poles. The trees really grew back effortlessly.
I later saw a barred owl flying around! I followed it from tree to tree, and was just about to get a photo of it when a trail runner came barreling up behind me and scared it away - curses! It always amazes me how quietly owls can glide from tree to tree. Soon, the sun began to hit the treetops and began to cast a golden glow on the forest, and just before the junction with the New England Trail, I noticed bits and peices of either an old fridge or stove in the woods?
There was no sign, but I turned left onto the New England Trail and immediately saw a white blaze. I reluctantly took my comfortable fleece off for this climb, because I knew I would be sweating soon. The climb began to parallel an old stone wall in a blowdown area and then I passed a dad and two kids who seemed to be backpacking (and more importantly, thought I was doing something cooler than a quick hike). The dad had a rip in his pants and loudly said "is there a rip in my pants or is this just a sign of a good night?!"
The New England Trail followed a nicely graded old road past a shelter and then climbed more moderately, navigating around a blowdown before flattening again. I stepped over a pile of old bear poop and hiked over a relatively new bridge over a wet area. I was happy to see that the mushrooms were still living strong in these woods!
I left and later reentered Massachusetts State Forest land and eventually my body felt nice and warmed up!
Later, the New England Trail split to the left while the Around-the-Mountain Trail continued around the mountain to the right. The trail climbed pretty moderately from here to the summit with a few reroutes around old, eroded spots. There were some insane sounds coming from the right side of the woods - probably a train? My sweat started to get sweaty during this climb, and I remembered this downhill feeling like a slog last time I was up here. I felt the occasional twinge of leftover sciatica, but overall I was feeling good! I passed a fork in the trail a bit higher up that was on AllTrails, and then the trail had a steep push followed by an easy ending up to the summit clearing, which features a cool breeze and nice sunshine!
From the top I found the disc on top of the boulder and climbed up the tower while I had the summit to myself. I didn't really remember where the other disc was, but I was hoping to find it from the top of the tower. I caught a nice view of Monadnock from the top of the stairs (cabin was locked) with Stratton and Mt. Snow behind me. Briefly through the trees I could see Mt. Ascutney, which was fun! Looking south I could just make out the northern forks of the Quabbin.
I found the other disc on my way down, which, steeping off of the stairs, was on the right, just outside of the fence. I saw a spot on the boulder that used to have a plaque, wondered what it used to say, and then started my descent down the New England Trail.
The trail followed a power cut off the top which was a little wet and grassy, but overall pretty fine. I passed the communication towers on the left through the woods before winding in and out of the woods on a steeper descent. I had to tighten my shoes on the descent to keep my toes from smashing again the front of the boots, but once I was laced up again I was feeling good!
The New England Trail descended moderately on an eroded, old road with a few powerlines overhead (I was confused because I was not on the power cut, or so I thought, but the power lines followed this stretch while the bigger cut/clearing was for the road, I guess), and when the trail came within ~15 feet of the road (obvious), I made a sharp left turn onto the road, going slightly uphill, following signs for Ohlson Field.
I soon turned right to get back into the woods and continued to follow signs for Ohlson Field. The trail/old road started out joyfully flat and then began to descend steeply with leafy footing. I really needed to tighten my shoes again, but I was just too lazy and close to the end! I was about to mark my territory on a tree when a trail runner came up behind me. I let him pass and then I got on with my business.
My first hike of the day ended with a walk across Ohlson Field and passing another shelter on the right. I wonder what happens at this field? There were many more cars in the parking lot now. This is a great little fitness hike - nothing too spectacular, but a nice way to spend a morning!
Now I had another breakfast sandwich in the car calling my name and I started my drive south down towards Mt. Lincoln in the mysterious town of Pelham!
Step-by-Step
- From Ohlson Field, turn right and start hike on Around-the-Mountain Trail (blue).
- At jct., turn left onto New England Trail (white).
- Summit Mt. Grace, then follow New England Trail down.
- At a point where the New England Trail nears the Fire Tower Road, turn left onto Fire Tower Road.
- Turn right onto next path, following arrows "To Ohlson Field."
- Follow signage back to car.
Photo Album
