On Sunday, April 13, 2025 from 10am-12pm South Hadley’s Conservation Commission and Bike/Walk Committee will host a free,guided Trek at Lithia Springs Reservoir, a beautiful spot that once provided water to the town. The free, family-friendly Trek will be led by Brad Timm, wildlife ecologist and founder of the Northeast Wildlife Team. Come explore with Brad on this leisurely guided hike as we stop at several vernal pools along the trek and look and listen for frogs, toads, salamanders, and much more! For example, did you know that some frogs produce their own anti-freeze, lots of salamanders can regenerate their tail and entire limbs, and that Blue Jay and Bluebird feathers aren’t actually blue (they’re brown!).
Participants of all ages and new Trekkers are welcomed. Attendees will be able to take home a free copy of “A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools” and do some hands on exploring of vernal pools of the Holyoke Range. Wear clothing and footwear suitable for hiking in wet and muddy areas. Signed copies of Brad’s book, Wildlife Out Your Window: Fascinating Facts About 100 Animals Commonly Seen in the Northeastern U.S. will also be available for purchase ($20) at the event.
Please register in advance. To access the online registration form, which includes additional details about the Trek, parking, and the shuttle, go to: bit.ly/LithiaSpringsVernalPoolTrek.
Please arrive no later than 9:30am due to parking and shuttle service constraints. Trek organizers plan to leave at 10am from the Gate at 8 Lithia Springs Road (located at the end of the road). Please try to carpool as there is limited parking on Lithia Springs Road, and in the Hiker Parking Lot on Amherst Road (next door to 502 Amherst Road), which is about a half-mile from the Lithia Springs Road Gate. A 10-person school van will be available to shuttle participants from the Hiker Lot to the Gate, and back again at the end of the Trek.
Treks are subject to change or cancellation due to weather or ground conditions. Please be sure to check the Bike/Walk page on the Town website for any cancellation notices or other information: www.southhadley.org/bikewalk. Should there be a cancellation decision, information will be posted online by 8:00pm the night before the hike.
Save the date for a Guided Bird Walk with Bill DeLuca!
Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 11am at River-to-Range Trail