Vernal Pools, Wildflowers, and Early Butterflies, Oh my!  Well it may not be as exciting as the Yellowbrick Road but a hike into the Sawmill Hills of Northampton is still pretty cool.  Join my friend Tom and me in an easy to moderate hike (there are some hills to traverse) to explore the spring breeding pools of the wood frog and spotted salamander, look for blooming spring flowers and early butterflies, as well as identify migrating and nesting birds.  We’ll look for animal tracks along the way because the hike will take us through a mixed forest that is home to deer, coyote, bobcat, porcupine, and black bear. Hopefully it will be a nice day to get out and be in the woods.  Afterwards, we'll head back to my place for hot soup and warm conversation.  Dogs are allowed if friendly with people and other dogs but must be kept on a leash.  Rain cancels.

Let's meet at the parking lot between the Elks Lodge and the Art's and Industries Building in Florence and then carpool up to The Sawmill Hills Entrance (Avis Circle) about a quarter mile away.  From the north, take I91 south to second Northampton Exit, King Street.  Come off the exit and take the first right at the light onto Bridge Street.  Take a left at the second set of lights, Maple Street  (playing fields are on the right).  Go through the center of Florence and down the hill to the T.  Make a right onto Nonotuck and take it to Pine (the Art's and Industries building will be in front of you).  Take a left onto Pine, go over the bridge and then take a right onto Spring Street.  Take the first right into the Elks Lodge, then a right to go down to the adjacent parking lot for the A & I building.

From the South, take the second Northampton Exit, Damon Road & Rt. 9,  Continue straight through the intersection and onto Damen Road.  Take Damon Road, it crosses King Street and turns into Bridge Street.  Stay on Bridge Street for about a mile.  Take a left at the second set of lights, Maple Street  (playing fields are on the right).  Go through the center of Florence and down the hill to the T.  Make a right onto Nonotuck and take it to Pine (the Art's and Industries building will be in front of you).  Take a left onto Pine, go over the bridge and then take a right onto Spring Street.  Take the first right into the Elks lodge, then a right to go down to the adjacent parking lot for the A & I building.