Looking for vast views of the Pioneer Valley and the perfect sunset, I ventured to Skinner State Park in Hadley, MA. Following the Connecticut River, past cows and corn fields, the Holyoke Mountain Range ahead of me, I turned onto the side road leading up to Skinner State Park. Right before you reach the park ranger, parking is located on the sides of the road ahead of the trail. You can also drive your car up to the top of the mountain, there is a limited amount of parking spots and the lot closes at sunset (times may vary). Hiking, though, is rewarding once you reach the top.

From the parking area, I took the lower trail up to the halfway point. Across the road, there is an entrance to the trail that leads to the Summit House. This trail can be a little strenuous and steep, as a majority of it is at an incline. Walking up the path, breathing in deeply, and looking around at the green-leaved, uprooted trees coming from all directions. There are times when you have to stop to take a breather as you ascend the mountain. After two inclinations, a few more turns, over rocks and through trees, the summit parking lot will appear to your right.

Looking ahead, the bright white Summit House emerges behind the trees. Climbing up the stairs from the trail, the views of the Pioneer Valley mesmerizingly open up to view. Boulders jut out in front of the Summit House, which offers an area to take in the views. The feeling that comes forth from looking around you are rewarding, knowing that you are still dripping sweat and breathing heavily from your hike to finally reaching your destination. Walking up the stairs to the house, the doors are open to the public on a summer weekend. The house has a wrap-around deck that provides semi-panoramic views of the Connecticut River, fields, and mountains. Maps located on the deck, point out mountains such as Greylock, Sugarloaf, and Monadnock, and UMass Amherst. Dark and light greens and blues caress the landscape, making it hard to look away wanting to discover more of the surroundings: boats skidding across the cool river, immense birds flying through the skies, the tiny towns and cars moving through life.

Inside the Summit House, which was a 19th 20th century hotel, pictures of the hotel and artifacts from the area are in abundance. Some of the rooms have authentic furniture and decor from that time. My favorite part is looking at photos of the tram leading from the halfway house to the summit. It is interesting to see that the views have remained almost untouched. Of course, the views of cars and boats on the river would have looked different, but the fields, river, and mountains are a constant that has changed very little since the summit was a hotel. Outside of the house, the summit provides bathrooms, a water fountain, and picnic tables for an afternoon of relaxation and exploration. There are a few more trails that wrap around the area and offers views from all sides in more secluded areas. Another trail that links with the summit house, the Metacomet-Monadnock trail, connects the Holyoke Mountain Range with Skinner.

For a slightly moderate, yet quick hike, Skinner is a wonderful spot to view the natural state of the Pioneer Valley mixed with its historic roots.