More than 260 acres along the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail and near Mount Sugarloaf in western Massachusetts are now protected and could mean more opportunities for hiking.
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) recently announced the acquisition of three parcels of privately-owned land in Deerfield. The 262.5 acres will now be under the state’s protection.
“Protecting this land means more places for people to hike, explore and take in the incredible views that make Deerfield Valley so special,” said DCR Commissioner Nicole LaChapelle.
The property was acquired through DCR’s Land Protection Program, which facilitates land conservation for the purposes of protecting plants and animals, conserving natural and cultural resources, and providing recreational spaces for the public.
DCR acquired the property from the Rogers Family, who managed this property as part of their home and business, Hilltop Farm.
“My family has owned this forest land since the 1890’s. My grandmother, my mother, and my siblings and I grew up on this land. My father farmed and forested it for 45 years,” said Arthur W. Rogers II. “I am very happy that, through this sale to the State of Massachusetts, these beloved forests will be protected forever.”
The newly acquired land is close to Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation and directly abuts the Pocumtuck Ridge Trail.
Located between the Connecticut River and Deerfield River valleys, the 15-mile trail runs along the top of the Pocumtuck Range from South Sugarloaf Mountain in Deerfield north to Poet’s Seat Tower and Rocky Mountain in Greenfield.
The trail follows a ridge-top route for most of the way, and the area is known for its continuous high cliffs that look down upon stunning scenery.
DCR officials said the recently-acquired property contains rare species habitats and is a climate resilient forest of high ecological diversity due to varied terrain that includes multiple cliffs, wetlands, streams, and significant changes in elevation.
The westernmost section of the land lies at the top of the Pocumtuck ridgeline, which is visible throughout most of Deerfield and some of the surrounding towns.
