Mount Orient

Mount Orient (elevation 955 feet), is a south-facing high point on an upland plateau overlooking the Connecticut River Valley in the Amethyst Brook Conservation Area. Although the summit is wooded, a lower, south-facing ledge of metamorphic rock provides views of the Holyoke Range and the east-central Connecticut River Valley. In 1909, writer and editor Mabel Loomis Todd, a resident of Amherst, purchased property on Mount Orient hoping to preserve it from commercial exploitation. In 1960, her only daughter, Millicent Todd Bingham, gave an 87-acre wooded portion on Mount Orient to Amherst College to be named the Mabel Loomis Todd Forest.

Robert Frost Trail

After parking in the large trailhead parking lot, hop on the Robert Frost Trail (orange blazes) and enjoy the views of Amethyst Brook as you meander along side, crossing over on one of several bridges. For families, exploring this network of trails along the river may be a perfect outing. The trail then starts a gradual ascent towards the summit. It eventually gets steeper as you approach a rock outcropping where you do a little rock scrambling on the cliff with spectacular icicles in winter, or you can follow a narrow side trail to get to the outcropping. Either way, microspikes are required in winter. There, you will find a great place for a break to admire the gorgeous views of Amherst, Hadley and the Holyoke Range. You can continue another half mile along the top of the ridge to the summit of Mount Orient, but there are no views. Total distance to the summit is 4.8 miles. Dogs are allowed but must be leashed. Happy adventuring!