River Trail Maintenance: Mohican-Mohawk Trail
The Deerfield River Watershed Association helps to maintain sections of the Mohican-Mohawk Trail in the towns of Conway, Deerfield, and Shelburne. We say sections, because some portions of the trail have washed out and are closed due to the danger of falling hundreds of feet into the river, and other portions have had access blocked by unwilling landowners and the railroad. For those sections that remain open, we maintain the trail by clearing fallen trees, pruning limbs, adding or repairing trail signs and markers, and making minor repairs to the trail. We also advocate for the trail. Litter has never been a problem, but if you should happen to see any, please help us to pick it up. Fallen branches? Toss them aside. Thanks!
A special note: We no longer use the name Mahican when identifying this trail. We have instead switched the name of the trail to Mohican with an “o,” a name used more commonly today.
Trailhead at Hoosac Road in Deerfield, where it follows an old railroad grade.
Polly Bartlett, the driving force behind construction of what we refer to as “Polly’s Bridge” or “Polly’s Crossing.”
In 1881, the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad built a bridge here across the South River to connect it to Shelburne Falls. In 1895, the electric trolley line was built from Conway, which was a booming city, to connect it with the outer world. You can see where the trolley line built an underpass under the "High Bridge" to a "Low Bridge” which crossed the Deerfield River. More information about this important hub is available at the Shelburne Falls Trolley Museum or the Conway Historical Society. Can you find the old RR and Trolley line routes and bridge sites?
Use extreme caution to avoid vertical slopes above the rivers!
The South River Trolley and Railway Station was located on the far side of the Deerfield River.
Scouting potential trail locations.
Trail maintenance.
Hiking the Mohican-Mohawk Trail.
Polly Bartlett leading a hike across Polly’s Bridge over the South River, at the former site of the 1881 New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad bridge.
The 160-foot high, former New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad bridge crosses the South River.
Out of sight to the right, passed the Conway electric trolley. The trolley’s 120-foot tall bridge crossed the Deerfield River on its way to the South River Station.
Countersinking rebar to support trail steps.
Wilcox Hollow fishing and boating access.
Use caution. This private access road is frequently washed out and accessible only with care and 4-wheel drive, high clearance vehicles.