2.8 Miles|
At nearly three miles, Bumpus is the Reservation's longest trail, but its concluding leg--from Bates Field into deep woods and an eventual junction with Steep Bank Brook Trail--is closed to skiing. Bumpus Trail begins on Sawmill Field, hugging the upper woods line until it reaches an old road paved in spots with brick and turns left. It shortly jogs off the road by an long-abandoned charcoal pit (indeed, for a while this routing was known as Charcoal Trail) and then slants downhill on a narrow traverse toward Shaw Brook. This sidehill traverse discourages grooming so expect natural conditions and a fast ride hemmed in by massive trunks and considerable deadfall. Across Shaw Brook--always photogenic in
mid-winter--prepare for a stout climb to Shaw Road. In the reverse
direction, coming down from Shaw Road, an exclamatory caution
sign Beyond Shaw Road, the trail, groomed now, leads up to Bates Field. Posts used to mark the route across the field but they have since disappeared. Still, the groomer knows the way and following his tracks should be easy enough. Up here on the open field you can stop at the Pierce Shelter to rest, continue on Bumpus until the closed sign stops you, or link extended tours by choosing either Minor Trail or Bates Road.  |
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The
name belongs to a family that once
settled on a piece of what became Notchview.
warns of the steep descent, which
incorporates two sharp turns of nearly 180 degrees each just
as you reach maximum speed.