Founded in 1953, Crotched Mountain is a non-profit charitable organization doing incredible work serving children and young adults with disabilities and special needs that include autism and brain injury. Beyond their School and hospital, Crotched Mountain incorporates their 1,400 woodland acres into to their curriculum with outdoor experiences that include kayaking, skiing, dancing, horseback riding, swimming, the Farm School, and even a wheelchair accessible treehouse! But nothing makes the outdoors more accessible than the Dutton Brook Trail and the Gregg Trail. Totaling more than 2.4 miles in length, these two trails comprise the longest fully accessible trail system in a mountain setting anywhere in the United States. Opened to the public in June 2011, we are proud to include them in the Highbush Half-Marathon on August 18, 2012.
About 3 miles into the 13.1 mile course, runners will merge onto the Dutton Brook Trail which can only be described as a true hiking trail for wheelchairs and those with mobility challenges. Although the surface is smooth and the grade changes gentle, users must negotiate boulders and tight turns to complete the loop around the woodland marsh. From there, runners will continue towards the ridgeline of Crotched Mountain utilizing the Shannon Trail.
Please share in our deep gratitude to Crotched Mountain for extending this special opportunity to use their landmark trails in the 2012 Greenfield Half-Marathon. We invite you to learn more about Crotched Mountain, the programs they offer and the very special lives their work touches by visiting their website at http://www.crotchedmountain.org
The Hampshire 100 weekend is a proud supporter of Crotched Mountain Accessible Recreation and Sports.