Knox Trail Otis with the National Parks Service narrated by Tom Ragusa May 7th @ 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm
We will start on Norton Road in Otis and hike on the Knox Trail to Route 8. Hike Rating: Easy to Moderate, approximately 2.8 miles in and back. GPS 42.175683, -73.063875 Hike Start and Parking along Norton Road Extension in Otis drive to the end and look for our tent.
During the winter of 1775-1776 General George Washington held the high ground around Boston while the British were firmly in control of the city. If Washington had artillery, he could dislodge the British and retake Boston. The nearest available artillery was at Fort Ticonderoga, which was under Continental Army control, in up-state New York.
General Henry Knox then was commissioned, in December 1775, by General Washington to secure these artillery pieces and transport them from New York, through Massachusetts, to Dorchester Heights outside Boston. To do this General Knox successfully crossed the Berkshire Mountains and several large rivers, in winter, with fifty-nine pieces of artillery. When the artillery arrived in Boston, in early March 1776, General Howe realized the hopelessness of his position and evacuated the city.
We will go back in time with Mr. Tom Ragusa in Otis to hike those same steps. Tom has spent 30 years working on achieving National Historic Designation for the Knox Trail. This hike is in collaboration with the National Parks Service, Springfield Armory National Historic Site.
Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Hike is free and volunteer lead, suggested donation is $5.00. Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs are allowed. Please bring crampons, hiking poles and a snack. We hike rain or shine. Be prepared for water, roots, rocks and mud on the trail. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com.
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Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249
