Shatterack Mountain(Town of Russell, Massachusetts)

Followed the weather forecast today and headed southeast into southern Massachusetts to check out 1145 foot Shatterack Mountain, which sits just NW of Tekoa Mountain, a peak I had hiked back in November.  From what I could see, it appeared that Shatterack had a lot of open rock and views to offer so I thought it would be a fun little mountain to explore on a mostly clear, 55 degree later winter day.  I parked in an unmarked pulloff near the junction of Carrington Road and Station Road, just east of the Westfield River(Elevation 290 feet). I picked up a white marked trail that starts off pretty inconspicuously as it climbs steeply into the woods.

 

Once on the trail, it is obvious and easy to follow.  It is, however, an unmaintained trail, so there are at times white or blue blazes, and other times no blazing.  The trail heads SE, gaining elevation at an angle up onto the main ridge.  Once on the ridge, the trail swings sharply to the north, with splendid views to be enjoyed through the bare trees.

The mountain may be small in stature, but its slopes are steep, and I found some real nice off trail views directly west over Main Street in Russell and the Westfield River directly below.

 

It seems that this mountain is well known and used by locals, as painted rocks(such as this below) are a common scene on this ridge.

The views from Shatterack's ridge are quite nice, and quite numerous as well!  SE views with Tekoa Mountain dominating the scene to the left, with Route 20 and the Mass Pike down in the valley below.

 

NW views can also be enjoyed, following the valley of Route 20 and the Westfield River into the hills of Hampden County.

 

After all of the fireworks along the ridge, a quick drop and then re-climb brings you up to the open and flat 1145 foot summit.

 

A view just below the summit to the west.

I continued a little bit past the summit, where the trail actually widens into an old road, where there are even more views to the north to enjoy.  The snow here was sparse, as this little spot near the summit was one of the only spots I saw any today.

Retraced my steps back off the mountain and to the car, stopping to check out a couple of additional other views off trail.  A nice little 3.3 miles RT, with just over 1000 feet of ascent.