Rice Preserve/ Sunrise Peak Trailwalk
Wilbraham, Ma
(Information Compiled by the Wilbraham Open Space and Recreation Plan Committee)

 
Waypoint 10. Monson View                     6. Wilbraham View
 

Trailhead Location: The end of Highmoor Dr. in Wilbraham at the entrance to the Rice Preserve.
 Directions to Trailhead: From Crane Park on Main Street in Wilbraham, head down Main St. towards Hampden. After Rice's Farmstand, you come to a fenced meadow on the right. Highmoor Dr. is on the left of this meadow.
 Length of Trail: approximately 1.3 miles from the Highmoor Dr. entrance to Sunrise Peak.
 Background: The Rice Nature Preserve was acquired through the cooperative efforts of landowner, Jesse Rice, the town of Wilbraham, the Minnechaug Land Trust, and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Self-Help Program. It abuts town-owned land to the east.
 Types of Surfaces:
The first part of the trek is uphill for a quarter mile before there are some flats spots to help you catch your breath. A walking stick is preferred, especially when returning as the downhills can be slippery. The first part is rocky and has several boards to traverse over wet spots. This area is very slippery if it has recently rained. After the u-turn, the trail gets drier and stops being rocky, but it still moves uphill. When you break into the peach orchard, the trail continues uphill with open vistas and easy-to-traverse footing. The section from the entrance to the woods to the right turn to Sunrise Peak is up and down, rocky terrain. The climb up Sunrise Peak can be tricky. Take your time and be wary of slick pine needles. Again, going back down can be treacherous without a walking stick.
 Elevation Factors: The trek starts at the 300 foot level and is mostly uphill with some steep and some gradual inclines. It reaches a high of 960 feet just before the final dip and ascent up Sunrise Peak which is at the 950 foot level. The return trip is downhill most of the way.
 Interesting Features:
- wide open vistas on Rattlesnake Peak out to Springfield, the Berkshires, Amherst and beyond
- a good view from Sunrise Peak out to Monson, Hampden and beyond
- a pleasant walk through a peach orchard
- many alternative trails to sample
- the remnants of an old cabin just inside the woodline on top of Rattlesnake Peak at coordinates 042° 06.015 N / 072° 25.056 W (see picture below)
 Facilities: parking at the end of Highmoor Dr., no toilet facilities
 Activities Permitted: All passive recreational activities including hiking, cross-country skiing snowshoeing, educational studies, and nature observation are permitted. Please be careful not to leave litter and not to deface the property. Please park in designated areas and be respectful of neighborhoods in the area.

RICE PRESERVE/ SUNRISE GPS WAYPOINTS AND HIKING DIRECTIONS
10-14-2009
# LONGITUDE LATITUDE DESCRIPTION

1

042° 06.146 N

 072° 25.595 W The trailhead is at the end of HighMoor Dr.

2

 042° 06.025 N 072° 25.411 W The trail bends in a u-turn at this point.

3

 042° 06.060 N 072° 25.310 W At this point there is an unused, marked off trail to the left. Take the trail to the right.

4

 042° 06.041 N 072° 25.236 W Veer left up the trail to the peach field. Do not take the side trails that go off to the right. Remain focused on climbing the hill.

5

 042° 06.119 N

072° 25.147 W

 At this point, the entrance to the peach field will be in front of you.

6

 042° 06.118 N 072° 25.094 W Continue on the trail as it climbs Rattlesnake Peak. You will pass a bench to the right and peach trees on the left.

7

 042° 06.067 N 072° 24.942 W This is the point where the trail comes to a fork. Enter the woods on your left by veering off the trail through the field. Just inside the woods, there is a trail to the right (the underhill trail). Continue straight.

8

 042° 06.082 N 072° 24.626 W After a quarter mile of up and down hiking, take a right turn to Sunrise when the trail comes to this intersection.

9

 042° 06.052 N

072° 24.609 W

 Take a left turn at this point (just a short distance down the trail) to climb to Sunrise Peak.

10

 042° 06.078 N 072° 24.571 W Sunrise Peak gives you vistas of Monson and beyond.
Notes: The trail system on the Rice Preserve has approximately 3.4 miles of maintained trails. These trails are marked with signs at trail junctures. Maps of all trails are available at the trailhead.

Full Size Rice Nature Preserve Trailmap
(Click on the Rice Preserve Trailmaps link in the directory to get a printable map.)


The West end of the red trail is the Highmoor Dr. entrance. The East end of the red trail is Sunrise Peak.
The red line represents the full 1.3 miles. There are several offshoots of this trail. One goes out to Peak Rd. Another doubles back down the hill. Maps are available at the trailhead.

  
1. Trailhead at end of Highmoor Dr.           5. Entrance to peach tree field

   
6. Peaches in bloom                       6. Bench on Rattlesnake Peak

  
8. Signpost marking trail                         Old Cabin on Rattlesnake Peak

Side Treks in the Rice Preserve:

Trailhead Location: The Green Trail starts at the bottom of the final climb to Sunrise Peak (at waypoint #8 of the hike above) and heads off to an open field vista which looks out south towards Springfield. The trail then turns back to Rattlesnake Peak via the Weehaugan Trail which is marked by signs. The Blue Trail starts one-third of the way back from Sunrise Peak and reconnects with the Sunrise Peak Trail a quarter of a mile below the peach trees on Rattlesnake Peak.
 Length of Trails: The Green Trail is 1.1 mile in length if you hike down the hill to the rock formation and then backtrack to pick up the Weehaugan Trail. If you just cross the field upon entrance and head across for the Weehaugan Trail on the other side of the field, the Green Trail is less than a mile. The Blue Trail is .6 of a mile.
Types of Surfaces: The Green Trail is downhill but rocky for the first leg. When you make the left turn, it becomes softer, leaf and pine needle covered. The field that you then enter is tough to walk in because of uneven footing and roots and vines to hike through. If the field has not been plowed, it can be impassible. The Weehaugan Trail end to the Green Trail is short but rocky.
The Blue Trail starts out leaf and pine needle covered and downhill, but it soon turns into a tough trek. You must pass through and outcropping of rocks with very uneven terrain. You also must hike along the side of a hill which can be tricky at certain times of year and in wet conditions. A hiking stick is recommended here.
 Interesting Features:
- The Green Trail: A good part of the beginning section follows a beautiful stone wall. There are also some right side paths here that lead to some good views. When you reach it, the view from the field is breathtaking and offers a different vista than the Rattlesnake Peak view. Finally, the big rock in the field with the flat front is a definite oddity (see picture below).
- The Blue Trail offers a close up view of some interesting rocky terrain. Parts of it suit the more seasoned hiker better than the novice.
 Important Notes: Do not walk through the field on the Green Trail if it has not been mowed as you might get bogged down in vines and brambles, not to mention ticks. Some of this terrain is better walked with a walking stick. In terms of the Blue Trail, wear good gripping shoes to be able to negotiate the rocky terrain.



The Sunrise Peak Trail is the Red Trail through the center of the map. The Green Trail starts at the bottom of the final climb to Sunrise Peak and heads off to an open field vista and back to the Sunrise Peak Trail at Rattlesnake Peak. The Blue Trail is an alternate way to come down the mountain. It reconnects with the Sunrise Peak Trail just below the peach trees on Rattlesnake Peak.

  
12. Field Rock                                      19. Rock Outcropping

SIDE TREKS  GPS WAYPOINTS AND HIKING DIRECTIONS
10-17-2009
# LONGITUDE LATITUDE DESCRIPTION

1

042° 06.080 N

 072° 24.637 W This juncture point of the Sunrise Peak Trail and the Peak Road Trail is the beginning of the Green Trail on the map above. Head towards Peak Road from here.

2

 042° 06.322 N 072° 24.661 W Turn left at this fork.

3

 042° 06.330 N 072° 24.813 W Take a right at this fork.

4

 042° 06.250 N 072° 24.961 W This is the entrance to the field with the big rock.

5

 042° 06.267 N 072° 25.193 W This is the point where the rock lies.

6

 042° 06.214 N 072° 25.015 W This is the entrance to the Weehaughan Trail. Enter here because there is a stream that runs below this point.

7

042° 06.123 N
 

 072° 25.002 W At this point, you come out on Rattlesnake Peak.

8

 042° 06.040 N 072° 24.899 W This point is the beginning of Underpeak Trail (Blue Trail on the map above).

9

 042° 05.897 N 072° 25.159 W Take a left at the fork here.

10

 042° 05.922 N 072° 25.186 W The outcropping of rocks begins here.

11

 042° 06.039 N 072° 25.227 W Take right here to return to the parking area on Highmoor Drive.

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