Discover the Berkshires of Massachusetts : AMC Guide to the Best Hiking, Biking, and Paddling

by Charles W. G. Smith and Susan A. Smith

• ISBN13: 9781929173358
• ISBN10: 1929173350
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 2003-06-01
• Publisher: Appalachian Mountain Club Books

Summary

Just a few hours from both Boston and New York City are the Berkshires, a beautiful and accessible oasis for outdoor adventurers. Its trails, lakes, and rivers offer recreational opportunities for everyone. Ideal for residents and visitors alike,Discover the Berkshires of Massachusettsdetails more than 40 of the best hikes, mountain bike trails, and paddles in the region. From short, one-hour excursions to day-long adventures, this three-in-one guide leads explorers to the summit of Mount Greylock, along wooded bike trails in Granville State Forest, along the quiet shores of the Thousand Acre Swamp, and much more. Special features include: *hiking, biking, and paddling trips *estimated time, distance, and level of difficulty for each trip *sidebars on natural features, local history, and wildlife *detailed driving instruction for each trip *quick-reference chart for selecting the perfect trip *extensive lists of resources, outfitters, and campgrounds *detailed in-text maps for each trip

Author Biography

Charles W.G. and Susan A. Smith lives in the Berkshires in a log cabin with their three children. Charles, an environmental horticulturist, is also the author of Water Trails of Western Massachusetts and Nature Walks in Connecticut (with René Laubach). This is their first book together.

Table of Contents

Introduction	viii
Acknowledgments	ix
Map Legend	xi
Locator Map	xii
The Berkshires: Basic Information	1	(7)
History	8	(4)
Trip Highlights Chart	12	(10)
Hiking	22	(118)
Bartholomew's Cobble	26	(6)
The Marble Sea	31	(1)
Dry Hill	32	(5)
Questing	37	(4)
Race Brook Falls and Mount Everett	41	(5)
Bash-Bish and Alander Mountains	46	(6)
East Mountain	52	(4)
Monument Mountain	56	(7)
The Novel Picnic	61	(2)
Ice Glen	63	(5)
Pleasant Valley Sanctuary	68	(7)
Spotted Salamanders	73	(2)
Shadowbrook	75	(5)
Stevens Glen	80	(4)
Washington Mountain Meadow	84	(7)
How Not to Build a Lake	89	(2)
Ashintully Gardens	91	(4)
McLennan Reservation	95	(6)
Robb and Grace	99	(2)
Canoe Meadows Sanctuary	101	(4)
Housatonic River Greenway Trail	105	(4)
Notchview Reservation	109	(5)
William Cullen Bryant Homestead	114	(5)
Chesterfield Gorge	119	(4)
North Brook Cascade	123	(4)
Mount Williams	127	(4)
Mount Greylock	131	(5)
Mountain Meadow Preserve	136	(4)
Mountain Biking	140	(46)
Kennedy Park	144	(4)
Ashuwillticook Rail Trail	148	(4)
High Country Ponds	152	(5)
Beartown State Forest	157	(5)
Granville State Forest	162	(5)
The Jambs of Windsor	167	(4)
Lenox Mountain	171	(4)
Berlin Mountain	175	(4)
October Mountain Lakes	179	(7)
Why Leaves Change Color	184	(2)
River Trips	186	(33)
Housatonic River: New Lenox Road to Woods Pond	190	(5)
Housatonic River: Division Street to Brookside Road	195	(7)
Flying Lessons	200	(2)
Housatonic River: Brookside Road to Old Covered Bridge	202	(5)
Housatonic River: Old Covered Bridge to Rannapo Road	207	(7)
Protecting Our Natural Heritage	212	(2)
Hoosic River: Ashton Avenue to Simonds Road	214	(5)
Quietwater Paddling	219	(47)
Thousand Acre Swamp	222	(6)
How to Make a Lake	226	(2)
Buckley Dunton Lake	228	(4)
Upper Spectacle Pond	232	(4)
York Lake	236	(4)
Goose Ponds	240	(6)
Watching Wildlife	244	(2)
Three Mile Pond	246	(3)
Stockbridge Bowl	249	(5)
Bog Pond	254	(4)
West Lake	258	(4)
Agawam Lake	262	(4)
Other Activities	266	(2)
Appendix A: Recommended Reading	268	(1)
Appendix B: Nonprofit Conservation Organizations and Government Agencies	269	(2)
Appendix C: Massachusetts Forests and Parks	271	(5)
Appendix D: Lodging	276	(2)
Appendix E: Outfitters	278	(2)
Index	280	(3)
About the Authors	283	(1)
About the AMC	284	(2)
Leave No Trace	286