Recreation on the rocks: Easthampton trails shut over reckless mineral miners

Examples of some of the crystals Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, found with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in the Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger.

Examples of some of the crystals Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, found with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in the Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS—

Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, talks about the crystals he dug up with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger.

Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, talks about the crystals he dug up with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS—

Examples of some of the crystals Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, found with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in the Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger.

Examples of some of the crystals Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, found with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in the Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

Examples of some of the crystals Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, found with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in the Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger.

Examples of some of the crystals Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, found with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in the Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS—

A Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton that is now closed.

A Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton that is now closed. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

A Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton is now closed.

A Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton is now closed. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

Examples of some of the crystals Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, found with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger.

Examples of some of the crystals Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, found with his students five or so years ago before some of the trails in Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS—

Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, talks about the crystals he dug up with his students five or so years ago before some of trails in the Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger.

Kurt Heidinger, the director of Biocitizen School of Field Environmental Philosophy, talks about the crystals he dug up with his students five or so years ago before some of trails in the Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest trail off Loudville Road in Easthampton closed. “I stopped taking the kids there because it started to feel unsafe, people were creating messes. It felt like people were there to make money, to find treasures and then sell it,” said Heidinger. STAFF PHOTO/CAROL LOLLIS

By ALEXA LEWIS

Staff Writer

Published: 01-31-2025 4:12 PM

EASTHAMPTON — With its plentiful trails and babbling streams, the New England Forestry Foundation’s Hartnett Manhan Memorial Forest has long been a popular spot for outdoor recreation. But recently, people used to frequenting the area have noticed a startling change: Some of the trails south of Loudville Road that once used to welcome them are now plastered with signs that read “No trespassing.”

For some local residents, the closures came as a disappointing shock. But concerns about the health of the land and its historic lead mines had been growing as “rock hounds” from far and wide have continued to flock to the area to take advantage of its unique geological features — often leaving behind deep trenches in the earth that have increased potential threats from erosion.

This has led to a mix of emotions from area residents who have come to love the trails there, and hope to see them restored to their full vitality without permanently losing access.

“The lead mines have always been a gold mine for mineral people,” city resident George Boucher said at a Conservation Commission meeting on the topic Monday night. “Unfortunately, they have made a mess down there. They dug a lot of holes.”

At a Nov. 18 Conservation Commission meeting, city residents Gershon Rosen and Melissa Bengtson submitted a written statement expressing that they were “deeply saddened” to lose access to the trails on Loudville Road because of the deep holes dug by mineral enthusiasts searching for collectibles.

“I understand the need to restore the riverbank after years of mining, but I implore you to include in your plans the restoration of community access to these beloved trails. This forest is more than just land; it is a sanctuary,” the statement reads. “It is where I sought peace after losing my grandmother, where I found comfort in the flowing water’s gentle sounds. For many of us, this place is not about extracting gems but about connecting with nature and our community. It is a sacred space for reflection, healing, and peace.”

The lead mines in the area carry deep historical significance for the towns surrounding them, and have been a draw for history enthusiasts — not just mineral searchers — from near and far. Lead was first discovered in the area in the 1670s, and mining operations continued on and off, with the last work occurring in the 1860s. For a time during the 1760s, Ethan Allen and his partners maintained control of the mines.

“From a historical point of view, it played a very important part of the history of the town,” said Bill Tracy, a longtime Westhampton resident and local history buff, about the lead mines. “Apparently it has been a very popular place for rock hounds to look through the tailings and find interesting specimens.”

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Like the area’s rich history, its draw for mineral fanatics is nothing new.

As Wayne Perrea, a native of the Loudville area, explained, “lead doesn’t really exist in nature as we know it.” Instead, what was being mined all those years ago was a substance called galena, which typically looks like gray or black cubes. When galena is exposed to the elements, it undergoes an oxidization process, yielding other interesting minerals such as wulfenite and green pyromorphite. Perrea said quartzites and fluorites also have been found there.

“There’s quite a few collectible minerals in the area,” he said.

Growing up in the area, Perrea would often frequent the forest to look for rare minerals. Since the early 2000s, he has been studying the history of the mines and the land, and has even offered a series of talks and historical tours over the years to those interested in learning more. These tours and talks, he said, drew a lot of attention to the area, and in the beginning, he remarked that most of it was positive. People were interested in the history and the geology of the land.

“Because it’s such a really neat history about the discovery of the lead mines, there’s a lot of local folklore around it,” he said. “The first mining operations took place while we were still under crown rule.”

Eventually it became protected land, with trails open to passive recreation by the New England Forestry Foundation — but the area has also attracted people who have disregarded the guidelines laid out by local mineral groups and NEFF. Perrea recalled some mineral seekers digging deep holes on trails and attempting to hide them with cardboard or leaves. Some would cut across residential properties to avoid the long walks to the sites.

“Unfortunately it’s the folks who are violating the digging rules who are ruining it for the rest of us who like to visit and dig and appreciate the history that’s there,” said Perrea.

Perrea said he hopes that one day, the New England Forestry Foundation reopens the closed areas with “designated areas to dig,” so that mineral enthusiasts can enjoy what the land has to offer while respecting the ecological balance.

At Monday’s meeting, the New England Forestry Foundation was given the go-ahead by the Conservation Commission to do basic restoration work on the disturbed areas. Plans for this work involve “plugging” sycamore tree seedlings and spreading custom seed mixes to stabilize the soil in disturbed areas near the Manhan River. Beth Gula, stewardship manager at the New England Forestry Foundation, said the foundation currently plans to maintain these areas as closed.

“Keeping people off is really the best thing we can do,” she said.

Also at the meeting, Gula noted that it was reported that there has been no further evidence of trespassing or unauthorized use of the property. The foundation is working with local law enforcement and a local towing company to enforce the no trespassing order.

In an interview, Gula emphasized that, in total, only about 15 acres of the forest are closed to the public, and that the remainder of the property is still available to be enjoyed.

Alexa Lewis can be reached at alewis@gazettenet.com.