Amherst College Map & Tours

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Tours

1. Mammoth Loop Trail Tour

   Mammoth Loop goes through the heart of the Amherst College Sanctuary, connecting with the Book & Plow trail at several points.

   Stops

   1. Amherst Cross Country

      The Amherst College Women’s and Men’s Cross Country teams use this trail for practice and competition. Lead by coach Cassie Funke-Harris, the Mammoths compete against traditional rivals Williams and Wesleyan as well as other members of the NESCAC. The open fields of the Sanctuary provide the most challenging terrain of the race course, with exciting dips and turns and seasonal wet spots—hold on to your shoes!

   2. A Bird Habitat

      These open meadows provide crucial habitat for species that prefer grasslands and their edges. Among these is the American Kestrel, North America’s smallest falcon, which is in steep population decline. The Sanctuary hosts a nest box in partnership with the Kestrel Land Trust. The fields are also a good place to spot larger falcons, such as Red-tailed and Cooper’s hawks, bluebirds, deer, wild turkeys and sometimes a coyote or a fox.

   3. Active Research

      The open fields south and west of the Norwottuck Rail Trail are the site of active research. Professor Ethan Clotfelter and his lab group have installed more than 100 nest boxes that attract several bird species, most notably tree swallows. Research projects include investigations of the reproductive behavior of tree swallows and how insect parasites influence the health and survival of young fledgling swallows.

   4. Enjoy the View

      Looking south from this field, there is a good view of the mountains south of the college. The crest of this range is held up by erosion-resistant volcanic rocks (Holyoke basalt). Visit the “Geology Defines the Landscape” exhibit at the Beneski Museum for more information about the geological history of the region. The Skinner and Mount Holyoke Range State parks can be reached by car or bike for fantastic hiking in this range and views of the Connecticut River Valley. These mountains have had different names across time, including Pitowamwachu from the Nipmuc language, meaning “Where Water Comes Out Hill” and the “Holyoke Range,” named for a 17th century colonial settler of the area. Amherst College recently placed 96 acres of land on the range known as “Tinker Hill” under permanent protection through a conservation easement.