Mount Greylock — Attraction in New Ashford

Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts, standing at 3,489 feet above sea level. It's located in the northwest corner of the state, within the towns of Adams, North Adams, Lanesborough, and Williamstown. This mountain is part of the Taconic Mountain Range and is a prominent feature of the landscape, offering breathtaking views that can extend up to 90 miles on a clear day.

Historical Overview Geological Formation: The mountain's geological formation dates back over 400 million years. It's composed primarily of quartzite and schist, which are metamorphic rocks formed under high pressure and temperatures.

Native American Significance: Before European settlers arrived, the area around Mount Greylock was inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Mahican and Mohawk. The mountain held spiritual significance for these communities.

European Settlement: The area around Mount Greylock began to be settled by Europeans in the early 18th century. The mountain itself remained a remote and challenging terrain for many years.

19th Century: By the mid-19th century, the natural beauty of Mount Greylock started to attract tourists and artists, including writers like Nathaniel Hawthorne and Henry David Thoreau, who wrote about its majesty and sublime nature. This period marked the beginning of the mountain's recognition as a destination for nature lovers.

Veterans Memorial Tower: One of the most significant landmarks on Mount Greylock is the Veterans Memorial Tower, which was dedicated in 1933. It was built to honor the state's fallen soldiers and offers panoramic views from its observation deck.

Mount Greylock State Reservation: In 1898, recognizing the need to preserve the natural beauty of Mount Greylock, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts established the Mount Greylock State Reservation. This was a significant step in conservation, making it Massachusetts' first wilderness park. The reservation now encompasses over 12,000 acres and offers a wide range of recreational activities, including hiking, skiing, and bird watching.

Recreational Activities and Attractions Hiking and Trails: The mountain and surrounding reservation feature over 70 miles of hiking trails, including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. These trails offer diverse hiking experiences, from gentle walks to challenging climbs.

Bascom Lodge: At the summit, visitors can find Bascom Lodge, a rustic stone and wood lodge built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the 1930s. It provides accommodations, meals, and a welcoming space for hikers and visitors to relax and enjoy the summit's views.

Cultural and Natural Education: The reservation also serves as a site for educational programs about the natural environment, conservation, and the cultural history of the area.

Mount Greylock's blend of natural beauty, historical significance, and recreational opportunities make it a unique and cherished landmark in Massachusetts. Its history as a place of inspiration, reflection, and conservation continues to attract visitors from all...

On October 15th my wife and I took a day trip ride to Adams MA. area from CT. We originally set off to catch some nice fall colors in the Berkshires. Well the day itself was cloudy and very windy and it seemed to further north we went the less the vibrant colors we were looking for were. We made a few stops along the ride and then inquired at a local restaurant where can we go to see some colors? The person I was talking with was very nice and spent time trying tom direct me somewhere to see colorful trees. She then said Mt. Greylock, is a wonderful spot to see foliage, but it may be busy there, but with the weather the way it was she said you may luck out. Man o man was she right, we did luck out, the trees were mot all that spectacular but on the way up the mountain the temperature dropped from 43 down to 36 and as we approached the top all the trees were coated with a frosty combination of frost and a light snow. offering a great opportunity to take some photos.My wife has a bad ankle so she didn't want to chance slipping and hurting it more, so I ascended to the Memorial tower and walked up the stone then turns to a spiral staircase to the top. What a view with the new frosty coating it was great. as we departed Adams., MA. on our way back home the cloudy then sunny skies opened up with a quick blast of rain, we were on the edge of this weather front and were then treated to a spectacular double rainbow. I followed the rainbow til we got close to where we were going to get on the highway home a caught another view of the rainbow over the highway. The colors were the most vibrant I had ever seen. Great day trip, parking can be tough at the top of the mountain. There are many spots but I imagine on a very nice day it would...

In the town of Adams in The Berkshires, this is the highest point in Massachusetts at 3489 feet. It is an easy ride to the top when the auto road is open May through October. The Veterans War Memorial ,a 92 foot granite tower, stands like a beacon of honor, shaped like a lighthouse at the mountain peak. It is a must visit to gain unique perspective of the surrounding states.The several flights you walk up the spiral staircase is rewarded with 365 views of fields, quarries, rivers and farmland. You can see west towards the Catskills and Hudson, North to Vermont and NH, west to Wachusetts and Boston.The surrounding farmlands are breathtaking.The quotes inside the inner dome of memorial are a humble reminder of those who have served. The spring and summer are great to see beautiful wildflowers, and the fall is perfect for foliage viewing. Be sure to hike some of the Appalachian Trail that travels over the 12,500 acre park. Dogs are welcome but must be kept on leash while on the trails. Be sure to bring bug spray especially in Spring and early summer. There is a rustic lodge, Bascom lodge that was made from local wood and rock, the schist rock is shimmery grey and beautiful. The lodge provides basic food and no frills overnight accomodations. Solo hikers get to bunk with others for $40.00 a night $35 for AT hikers, and $125.00 for private rooms.The Lodge offers dinners Wednesdays through Sunday. The rooms are clean and spartan, but offer nice views. The showers are is several small separate closets. The lodge is pet friendly if you are bringing your dog along.The geology of the area is interesting as this mountain is not part of the Berkshire mountain range , but the Taconics in NY. A cool...