Stacy Mountain Preserve
Why You Should Visit
Stacy Mountain is a scenic mountain preserve of rich forest, cliffs, and vernal pools in the Connecticut River's French King Gorge. It provides habitat for the rare Jefferson salamander, the rare spotted turtle and five state-threatened plant species.
Location
Gill, Massachusetts
Hours
Open year-round
Size
169 acres
Conditions
The site is accessible by automobile and visitors are welcome. There is a marked trail, which is steep in places.
How to Prepare for Your Visit
Hiking boots are recommended.
If you have any questions while planning your outing, please contact our Boston office at (617) 227-7017.
Directions
From Boston:
- Follow Route 2W for approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes to Millers Falls.
- Cross the French King Bridge (Connecticut River).
- Drive about one mile and turn right onto Pisgah Mountain Rd.
- Turn right at the first fork and travel approximately one mile to a small pull-off on the left. The Stacy Mountain trailhead is just opposite the pull-off.
What to See: Plants
Plants of rich mesic forests and white pine-hemlock forests, spring wildflowers
What to See: Animals
Vernal pool animals, ravens
Why the Conservancy Selected This Site
Stacy Mountain provides habitat for several rare or threatened species.
What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
In 1997, the Conservancy purchased 126 acres at the summit of Stacy Mountain. Also that year, a longtime watchman over Stacy Mountain, Fred Chase, generously sold 21 acres of land to the Conservancy at half its appraised value. The Conservancy has completed a marked hiking trail on the mountain and is controlling invasive species on a newly acquired parcel. In 2004, TNC staff have continued the invasive species control and trail maintenance.
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