ハンプシャー郡の天然記念物・トップ5

This 3,000-acre park showcases 7 miles of mountain ridge line and encompasses a diverse range of terrains. It provides an excellent experience for hikers, mountain bikers, snowmobilers, and cross-country skiers. Scattered throughout the park, there are several scenic viewpoints to take advantage of.

Mount Pollux is a small 984 foot hill south of Amherst in the Mount Pollux Conservation Area. There is a short loop to the summit of in a residential area, making for a great quick hike after work or during lunch. The hike up to and the top of Mount Pollux is open and grassy providing excellent panoramic views of Mount Holyoke Range to the south, the Berkshires to the west, and Mt. Toby and Brushy Mountain to the north. There is a huge maple tree at the summit, which is a great spot for a picnic.

Deadtop stands at 1,115 feet above sea level. From this rocky, exposed summit you get fantastic views of Easthampton, the Connecticut River Valley, and the entire Mount Tom Range. You also can see the unique trapprock and basalt rock that make the mountains here.

The Horse Caves are a series of rocky outcroppings that played a role in American history. During Shays’ Rebellion, Daniel Shays and some of his men supposedly took refuge in the Horse Caves after their defeat by the Massachusetts militia. They were also used by soldiers during the Civil War. Even if you're not a history buff, these caves are an interesting and unique geological feature to explore.

Bare Mountain stands at 1,014 feet above sea level and is part of the greater Metacomet Ridge and the Holyoke Range. This steep mountain is popular with students from the many elite colleges in the nearby towns. From the summit you get great views of the surrounding valleys to the north and south, views to Mount Norwottuck and the eastern peaks of the Holyoke Range, and of the campuses of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Hampshire College. Bare Mountain also is home to a bunker that was used as the command center for U.S. forces during the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Beautiful views all along this ridge.