♦* 
 
 *:- 
 
 IHHHH 
 
 |HIBHHWKHflH| 
 
 1 (»lV li \A J J * r 1 ifi 1 if "*'' t li i 
 
 iiy r. w/hqckw^Ul, jr. }W$i B^H 
 
Guide 
 
 to the 
 
 Cjreylock Otate reservation 
 
 / 
 
 Francis Williams Rockwell, Jr. 
 
 COPYRIGHTED 
 
 by 
 
 FRANCIS WILLIAMS ROCKWELL, JR. 
 
 1916 
 
 Edition of 1917 
 
 , 
 
rz 
 .135': 
 
 ©Cl. A 4 54 23 8 
 DEC 18 1916 
 
The four sturdiest hills of Massachu- 
 setts, the last remnants of the virgin forest 
 that once guarded Berkshire solitudes, the 
 mighty examples of the work of the relent- 
 less glaciers that reduced Mt. Greylock from 
 a peak towering 7,000 feet above the sea, to 
 its present altitude, 3,505 feet — all these are 
 found within the 8,000 acres of the Greylock 
 State Reservation. Situated in the middle 
 latitudes of New England, easily accessible 
 from the cities of the northern seaboard, the 
 summits of the Greylock group have a climate 
 resembling that of portions of Canada. Rich 
 is this field for the naturalist; manifold are 
 its beauties. 
 
 To make plain the ways of the reserva- 
 tion to the stranger is the purpose of this 
 guide. In order to facilitate the use of this 
 booklet, it should be borne in mind that the 
 carriage roads leading to the summit of 
 Mt. Greylock have been treated first; then 
 the trails to the summit have been described; 
 and finally the less frequented, but perhaps 
 more enchanting paths about the reservation 
 have been considered. 
 
TABLE OF CONTENTS 
 
 Page 
 Introductory: 
 
 Location and General Character 5 
 
 Accommodations at Summit 7 
 
 Camping Permits, etc 8 
 
 Use of Maps 10 
 
 Carriage Roads to Summit 11 to 15 
 
 Trails to Summit 16 to 24 
 
 Short Trails on Reservation: 
 
 Southern 25 
 
 Northern 30 
 
 Table of Distances 35 
 
 Things to See and Where to Find Them 36 
 
 Table of Heights and Map Distances 37 
 
INTRODUCTORY 
 
 LOCATION AND GENERAL CHARACTER 
 OF THE RESERVATION 
 
 The Greylock State Reservation is situated in the 
 northern portion of Berkshire, the western county of 
 Massachusetts. It lies within the limits of Williams- 
 town, North Adams, Adams, Cheshire and New Ash- 
 ford. Pittsfield, on the Boston & Albany R. R. and 
 New York, New Haven & Hartford R. R., is sixteen 
 miles to the southward. Cheshire, Adams and North 
 Adams may be reached from the south by rail from 
 Pittsfield, or by the more frequent service of the 
 Berkshire Street Railway. From the east and west, 
 North Adams and Williamstown mlay be reached by 
 trains on the Fitchburg Division, Boston & Maine 
 Railroad. 
 
 The reservation extends over the summits of 
 several hills, and reaches down toward the upland 
 farms which skirt its boundaries. For the most part 
 it is wooded, with trees of many varieties, which in 
 autumn as well as in spring show magnificent color 
 combinations. Winter, too, though severe, has its 
 especial beauties of drooping evergreens clad with 
 snow, and frost bedecked branches with their pearly 
 translucent sheen. Springs, cool, and of purest waters 
 abound ; so that the tramper is never thirsty. And 
 there are countless other delights which will be dis- 
 covered, but which should not be foretold. 
 
GENERAL NATURE OF THE 
 ROADS AND TRAILS 
 
 The roads upon the reservation are for the most 
 part rough carriage roads. This has been necessitated 
 by the fact that the funds available for construction 
 and maintenance have been limited in amount. The 
 result has been that the construction is of a type 
 designed to meet the bare necessities of a rough way 
 connecting the various outlying corners with the 
 summit where the superintendent resides. Many 
 motorists, however, make the trip to the summit of 
 Greylock each year by way of the southern approach 
 to the mountain (Rockwell Road), up the long sloping 
 ridge from the Lanesboro side. This road is in better 
 condition for motor travel than any of the others. 
 The road from North Adams to the summit is marked 
 as unsafe for automobiles. But both the North Adams 
 road and that to Adams have been negotiated by 
 machines ; although one travels at his own peril. 
 
 It must be remembered by all motorists who visit 
 the reservation that the roadways are narrow, with 
 but few turnouts ; and that in some places they are 
 so steeply embanked that a few inches variation from 
 the roadway might mean disaster. But if one drives 
 with care, and gives proper warning with the horn, 
 the trip may be accomplished in comparative safety, 
 and with great enjoyment. 
 
 At certain times of the year the roads to the 
 summit are closed by order of the county commission- 
 
ers to prevent the damage that tire chains might cause 
 in the soft soil of the woods, moistened by the heavy 
 rains of spring and fall. The trails, however, are 
 open, summer and winter. The more frequently used 
 paths are well beaten under foot, and may be followed 
 by one not accustomed to the woods ; the trails used 
 more seldom are perhaps the more beautiful. These 
 are for the most part blazed upon the trees. Both 
 trails and roads are quite faithfully shown upon the 
 appended "Map of Trails." 
 
 ACCOMMODATIONS AT THE SUMMIT 
 
 Food, drink and accommodations for the night 
 may be secured at the house on Greylock Summit. 
 The summit house, small and inadequate as it is, will 
 furnish sleeping quarters for about ten persons. It is 
 better to make arangements in advance for those 
 wishing to stay for the night, or longer. This may be 
 done by telephoning to the Greylock Summit House, 
 Adams, Mass. The rates are reasonable. For any 
 persons wishing to spend a considerable time at the 
 summit, special terms may be secured by writing the 
 Superintendent, Greylock State Reservation, North 
 Adams, Mass. 
 
 The present building some day will be replaced 
 by a better. A building fund, donated in small 
 amounts by citizens of Dalton and Pittsfield, and 
 collected by Commissioner Francis W. Rockwell, has 
 been placed in the hands of the County Treasurer of 
 
Berkshire, and is accumulating at interest. Persons 
 who wish to contribute to this fund for a new summit 
 house may send their checks to Henry A. Brewster, 
 Esq., County Treasurer, Pittsfield, Mass. 
 
 Owing to the fact that the roads at the elevation 
 of the reservation remain unsettled until late in May, 
 during the early part of the season motors are barred ; 
 but even then it is possible to secure accommodations 
 at the summit. The Summit House remains open 
 until October is well advanced. The season for driving 
 or riding extends from June to November. During 
 the first week of October the autumnal coloring is 
 likely to be at its height. For those who wish to climb 
 the mountain in winter on snowshoes or with ski, 
 shelter may be obtained at the Bunk House, south- 
 westerly of the Summit house. Its door is left 
 unlocked; a sm/all wood-stove is there and with a 
 hatchet to cut wood, one is glad of the shelter. 
 
 CAMPING PERMITS 
 
 Persons who wish to camp upon the reservation 
 should obtain permits from the Superintendent. For 
 these no charge is made. During the season the present 
 Superintendent may be addressed as follows: (Jared 
 S. Adams), Superintendent Greylock State Reserva- 
 tion, North Adams, Mass. (In the winter he should 
 be addressed at Pittsfield, Mass.) 
 
 Persons who wish to spend the night on the 
 summit will have places assigned by the Superin- 
 tendent where they may bivouac. Fires will be allowed 
 under such circumstances in the locations approved. 
 
MANAGEMENT OF THE RESERVATION 
 
 The Greylock State Reservation Commission was 
 established by legislative act in 1898. The act pro- 
 vided that the reservation should be purchased by the 
 Commonwealth and maintained by the County of 
 Berkshire. 
 
 Three unpaid commissioners appointed by the 
 governor of the state have the management of the 
 reservation in their hands. They employ at the expense 
 of the county a superintendent who has the oversight 
 of the work done upon the reservation, and the 
 management of the house at the summit. 
 
 1916 
 Members of the Greylock State Reservation Commission 
 
 Francis W. Rockwell, of Pittsfield. 
 Wm. H. Sperry, of North Adams. 
 Arthur B. Daniels, of Adams. 
 
 PHOTOGRAPHS OF RESERVATION SCENES 
 
 Mr. Charles T. Barker began many years ago to 
 collect photographs of the mountain and reservation. 
 Beginning as an enthusiastic amateur, he has met 
 with such success in his work that he now sells small 
 prints. These views may be obtained at the Summit 
 or from Mr. Barker direct. The prices of the five-by- 
 seven prints are very reasonable, 25 cents. 
 
 Mr. Barker's Pittsfield address is as follows : 
 Charles T. Barker, 20 Oxford St., Pittsfield, Mass. 
 
USE OF APPENDED MAPS 
 
 The two maps sold with this booklet are the best 
 that can be obtained at this time. The U. S. Geolo- 
 gical Survey map is on the scale of approximately one 
 inch to the mile. North is at the top of the map. 
 Elevations are shown for every twenty feet. The 
 map was made before the road to Mt. Greylock up the 
 ridge from the south had been laid out, so that the 
 southern approach to the mlountain by way of Rounds 
 Rock is not shown ; nor is the road from Adams. 
 
 The other map (Road and Trail Map) in black 
 and white, does not show the contours of the hills. 
 The scale of the map is about 3,000 feet to the inch. 
 It was made by Mr. William N. Tuller for the Grey- 
 lock Commission, and shows the roads and trails of 
 the reservation in relation to the summits of the hills. 
 As the corners of the reservation boundaries are 
 marked by granite posts showing the direction of the 
 reservation lines, this road and trail map is of much 
 value for work in the woods. The brooks on the trail 
 map, however, are indicated only in a general way; 
 for greater accuracy in this respect the government 
 map should be used. 
 
 For convenience in locating the starting points of 
 trails upon the government miap the names and loca- 
 tions of the Scholz, Walden, Bacon and Collins and 
 Cummings houses have been stamped upon the 
 governmient map. 
 
 Throughout this booklet, the terms north, south 
 and other such words have been used in a general 
 sense. No attempt at absolute accuracy in giving 
 compass directions has been made. 
 
 10 
 
CARRIAGE ROADS LEADING 
 TO THE SUMMIT 
 
 From Lanesboro : 
 
 From Lanesboro there are two ways of reaching 
 the Greylock State Reservation. The first is by the 
 road over Pratt Hill. This way is shown on the 
 government map. It was the first road leading to 
 Greylock Summit from the south, and was built by 
 funds raised in part by subscription. From Pratt 
 Hill there is obtained a beautiful panorama of the 
 central Berkshire valley. But the grades on this road 
 are steeper than those on the more recently constructed 
 Rockwell road, the southern approach to the mountain. 
 
 To reach the Pratt Hill road, go straight to the 
 north on the highway through the center of Lanes- 
 boro. Just northerly of the stone school-house the 
 road divides in three. This point of division is about 
 half way on a line drawn fromi the Noppet to Savage 
 Hill. The center road of the three leads to Greylock 
 Summit via Pratt Hill. 
 
 The road generally used by those who motor is 
 the southern approach to the mountain by way of 
 Rounds Rock. This road is not shown on the gov- 
 ernment map. To go this way one must turn to the 
 eastward at the three corners just mentioned, and take 
 the road that climbs the hill. After continuing thus 
 for about a half mile a road will be noticed, at present 
 
 11 
 
grass-grown, turning to the left and continuing north- 
 erly up the ridge. This road finally leads to the 
 southern end of the reservation at Rounds Rock, and 
 ultimately after junction with the road from Cheshire 
 and with that from Pratt Hill leads to the summit. 
 Although the road up the ridge is at first grass-grown, 
 it will be found to improve as the journey is continued. 
 
 From Cheshire: 
 
 There are two ways to reach the reservation by 
 road from Cheshire. Both start from the same 
 corner. On the highway in the center of Cheshire 
 just north of the Cheshire Inn turn to the west and 
 go up the hill past the cemetery. After crossing the 
 brook on the stone arch bridge, turn to the left to go up 
 the mountain by way of the southern approach to the 
 mountain from Lanesboro, and travel toward Lanes- 
 boro about three miles. Then, having arrived at the 
 point where the grass-grown road starts up the ridge, 
 turn to the right and travel as directed for those from 
 Lanesboro. 
 
 The shorter but steeper way to the reservation 
 from Cheshire is that which keeps straight ahead from 
 the stone arch bridge in Cheshire, and turning to the 
 right, follows the approximate course of Kitchen 
 Brook to a point near the Cumlmings house, shown on 
 the Road and Trail map. The Cummings house is the 
 last house passed as one approaches Jones Nose. This 
 road is indicated in part on the government map. But 
 here the Road and Trail map is more up-to-date. 
 After passing the last house, bear to the left until the 
 road up the mountain from the south is reached. 
 
 12 
 

 
 ill 
 
 lilftlf- 
 
 
 
 :: 
 
 '" li§llllilllliltil 
 
 H 
 H 
 
 O 
 
 fa 
 
 W 
 o 
 o 
 
From Adams : 
 
 The carriage road to the summit of Mt. Greylock 
 from Adams is circuitous. Starting from the 
 McKinley monument, take the street west, up the hill 
 past the cemetery and the old Quaker Meeting House 
 in its midst. Then turn to the left, taking the second 
 right to the lower end of the Cheshire Harbor Trail 
 at the Scholz house. The road starts up the hill back 
 of the Scholz house in a westerly direction and after 
 reaching about the twenty-four hundred foot contour, 
 turns southerly and swings down around the south- 
 eastern shoulder of Saddle Ball, joining the Kitchen 
 Brook road from) Cheshire just northerly of the 
 Cummings house. 
 
 A second way from Adams is to turn to the right 
 west of the old Meeting House where before the left 
 was taken. Then, taking the road over the northern 
 end of Ragged mountain, the Walden house, near the 
 Notch Reservoir, will be reached ; and from that 
 point the North Adams road to the summit will be 
 used. Motorists from Adams would do better to take 
 the road from Lanesboro up the ridge to Rounds 
 Rock. 
 
 From North Adams : 
 
 There is but one road up Greylock mountain from 
 North Adanls and that is from the Notch Reservoir. 
 It may be reached either by way of Furnace Street or 
 preferably by going toward Braytonville, and turning 
 to the south, thus joining the road from Williamstown 
 about a mile northwesterly of the Notch Reservoir 
 and the Walden house, and proceeding thither. 
 
 14 
 
From Williamstown or South Williamstown : 
 
 There is no direct road up Mt. Greylock from 
 Williamstown. The roads most often travelled are 
 those from New Ashford, North Adams, or, for 
 motors, from Lanesboro. From, the North Adams 
 side the road by the Notch Reservoir of course would 
 be used. 
 
 If, however, the New Ashford road should be 
 chosen, one should drive down the Green River road 
 toward New Ashford, turning east over the shoulder 
 of Sugar Loaf, before reaching the village. This way 
 to Greylock joins that from Pratt Hill after about a 
 mile and a half, and then proceeds up the mountain, 
 entering the road froml the southward. The late Dr. 
 Bascom of Williams College, for many years the 
 Chairman of the Reservation Commission, very often 
 used this way when coming f romi Williamstown to the 
 Summit. 
 
 From New Ashford: 
 
 The road most accessible to residents of New 
 Ashford is that last described for Williamstown; it 
 runs easterly over Sugar Loaf to the Pratt Hill road. 
 Motorists should go to the fork in the road near the 
 stone school house, north of Lanesboro and proceed 
 up the ridge as directed for those from Lanesboro. 
 
 15 
 
TRAILS TO THE SUMMIT 
 
 The Cheshire Harbor Trail: 
 
 (From the Southeast). 
 
 From the valley there are three main trails to the 
 summit of Mt. Greylock — the Cheshire Harbor Trail, 
 the Bellows Pipe, and the Hopper Trails. The shortest 
 and most accessible of these is the Cheshire Harbor 
 Trail. And as a result it is the mlost travelled of the 
 three, and the least rugged. To reach the "Harbor" 
 trail one leaves the highway between Cheshire and 
 Adams at the stone arch bridge on the line of the 
 Berkshire Street Railway Co. (Fare from Pittsfield, 
 20 cents; from Adams, 5 cents), taking the road 
 which starts up Bassett Brook. When a small reser- 
 voir has been passed the road to be taken swings 
 around a hill to the right and then immediately turns 
 from the top of the hill to the north. This road should 
 be followed until the second house, Scholz's, has been 
 reached. The Scholz house is about one-half mile 
 northwest of Cole Mountain, and marks the beginning 
 of the Cheshire Harbor Trail proper. (See Trail 
 map). The Harbor trail approaches Mt. Greylock in 
 the general vicinity of Peck Brook, and follows the 
 trails marked 18 and 19 on the trail map. (Trail No. 19 
 is a short cut to the summit starting from the divide 
 south of the cut in the rocks on the southern car- 
 riage road). 
 
 16 
 
Care should be taken not to turn to the south 
 from the Harbor trail by mistake. The carriage road 
 from, Adams to the summit turns south from the trail, 
 but the trail itself turns northerly. 
 
 The trail is plainly marked; one might think it a 
 carriage road. The time required for the ascent to 
 the summit is dependent upon the pedestrian. Perhaps 
 two hours for the climib would be an average. 
 
 Excellent views of Adams and the eastern range 
 of hills are afforded during the climb. A good place 
 to lunch is at Peck Brook, the water of which is 
 excellently cool and pure. 
 
 Cheshire Harbor and Bellows Pipe Trails : 
 
 (From Adams. Prom the Southeast. From the Northeast). 
 
 There are two trails to the summit of Greylock 
 available for trampers from Adams. The best known 
 of these is the Cheshire Harbor Trail which can be 
 reached by street car as described previously. Or the 
 trail can be reached by the road to the Scholz house, 
 found by turning to the south near Adams at the 
 cemetery. (See below). 
 
 The longer trail from Adamis is the Bellows Pipe. 
 The start may be mlade from the McKinley monument 
 in Adams, taking the street westerly up the hill, past 
 the cemetery, with its old Quaker meeting-house, once 
 attended by Susan B. Anthony. Then one should 
 continue straight on, taking the grass-grown road to 
 the west, toward the mountain. The highest peak, of 
 course, is Greylock. 
 
 The road follows Hoxie Creek for some distance, 
 going through a gate, and across the brook on a bridge. 
 Follow the road until it crosses the second bridge; 
 
 17 
 
then turn sharply to the left on the north bank of the 
 brook. Cross a fence, finally, on the right, and follow 
 it westerly, crossing a small brook coming down from 
 the right. The fence soon turns and in the angle of 
 the wall will be found a granite marker which is one 
 of the corners of the reservation line. This marker 
 may be located on the Road and Trail map quite 
 easily. Continue across the lot in the original direction 
 of the fence, and finally there will be found a wood 
 road on the north bank of the brook. Follow the road 
 up for a short distance and then take the turn to the 
 right, which will lead ultimately to the Bellows Pipe. 
 Thus the southern end of Raven's Crag will be skirted. 
 
 The Bellows Pipe is the great open pasture 
 between Greylock and Ragged Mountain, or Raven's 
 Crag. At the top of the divide a stonewall will be found 
 running east and west. Follow it westerly to the first 
 trees, and then turn to the left at an angle of forty- 
 five degrees. Soon the trail (No. 17) up Mt. Greylock 
 well be entered as it ascends in a northwesterly 
 direction. Follow it, referring to the trail map for its 
 various windings. It leads to the carriage road near 
 the summit ; thence the road should be taken to the 
 top of the mountain. 
 
 The Bellows Pipe Trail : 
 
 The trail most accessible from North Adams is 
 the Bellows Pipe. The trail proper starts at the 
 Walden house near the northwest corner of the Notch 
 Reservoir, and is marked Trail 17 on the Road and 
 Trail map. It may be followed quite readily as it 
 extends on the west side of the Notch toward the 
 
 18 
 
Bellows Pipe. At that point if it is desired to see the 
 view to the south one rriay walk to the crest of the hill, 
 near the stone wall, and the trail may be regained by 
 following the directions given from that point under 
 the Bellows Pipe Trail, from Adams. 
 
 The upper portion of the journey is rather rough. 
 One should not wear a tight pair of boots. Water for 
 drinking is plentiful along this trail both when 
 approaching from Adams and from North Adams. 
 
 ■The Cascade : 
 
 For one who comes from North Adams a pleasing 
 variation of the trip to the Walden house may be 
 made by taking a street car (Williamstown or Sand 
 Springs) to Marion Avenue. Then the route extends 
 southerly down that street, straight to the woods. 
 There a clearly marked trail follows up the brook to 
 the Cascade, one of the most beautiful ravines in the 
 county. From the Cascade one may go to the Walden 
 house, should he desire to climb Mt. Greylock, Mt. 
 Fitch, or Mt. Williams, or he may cross the Bellows 
 Pipe to Adams. 
 
 TWO MORE RECENT TRAILS UP GREYLOCK 
 FROM THE WEST 
 
 The Mt. Simonds Trail : 
 
 (Note : Mt. Simonds is called Mt. Prospect on the government map) . 
 
 This way, long since abandoned, was apparently 
 that used by Williams men of sixty years ago to' ascend 
 Greylock on Mountain day. The lower portion is 
 
 19 
 
clearly marked, but the upper portion has been blazed 
 recently. 
 
 From Williamstown take the Green River road. 
 After a mile and a half turn through the fields to an 
 old limestone quarry, at the northwestern base of Mt. 
 Prospect. This point might be reached by two other 
 roads, as the map will show. When the old quarry 
 has been found, walk due east up the hill to a fence 
 (ioo yards or more), and then follow the fence to the 
 right, southerly up the hill. A large oak with a crystal 
 clear spring at its foot will be found. Then turn to 
 the right on an old wood road running southerly and 
 enter the reservation. Follow the road to the south 
 until it joins another road comling up directly from a 
 house in the valley, almost due west (Abner Towne's). 
 Then continue in the same general direction as before 
 until the road ends near a large stone, just above a 
 switchback. The upper part of the road will be found 
 to be overgrown with bushes and small trees. From 
 the end of the road turn sharply to the right and follow 
 the blazes on the trees, straight up to the summit of the 
 ridge, where an open field with an extensive view will 
 be found. Greylock, two miles to the southeast, will 
 be visible. 
 
 Follow the open ridge of Prospect southerly until 
 the trees are reached. Just on the northern edge of 
 the woods Trail No. 13 will be found, and it can be 
 followed easterly to the North Adams road. The rest 
 of the way up the mountain by road will be easy. 
 
 This trail has gentle grades - except for the last 
 quarter mile up to the summit of the Prospect ridge. 
 There is good water on the way up. The views are 
 excellent because the woods do not shut in to the 
 extent that they do on the Hopper Trail. 
 
 20 
 
The Hopper Trail: 
 
 < From the West). 
 
 The Hopper Trail approaches Greylock Mountain 
 from the west. It begins in the foothills of the Grey- 
 lock group and may be reached at the lower end from 
 either Williamstown, South Williamstown, or from 
 New Ash ford. To reach the Hopper trail from 
 Williamstown one would take the Green River road to 
 Sweets Corners, there turning toward the east and 
 crossing the stream. The road from that point follows 
 up the Hopper Brook (see U. S. Geological Survey 
 map). The last house on the 1,100-foot contour is 
 Bacon's (see Trail map). The course of the trail 
 as it swings around to the south, parallel to the south 
 branch of the Hopper Brook, climbing toward the 
 shoulder between Stony Ledge and Greylock, may be 
 traced easily upon the government map. The Hopper 
 Trail is shown in three sections upon the Trail map : 
 Nos. 8, 9 and 10. The point where trail No. 9 enters 
 the woods must be watched for with care. The trees 
 are blazed, but the footpath is very narrow. Coming 
 down the Hopper Trail it is well to watch for the 
 point on trail No. 9 (on the abandoned road) near a 
 large tree on the right where the trail turns sharply to 
 the west toward the Stony Ledge road. A sign, small 
 and weather-worn, is high up in the tree; and its 
 directions might easily escape one were he not on the 
 watch. 
 
 22 
 
£ 
 
 
 £ 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 H 
 
 
 02 
 
 
 £ 
 
 ^ 
 
 <H 
 
 ri 
 
 i— i 
 
 
 1-1 
 
 
 J 
 
 ■d 
 
 1— 1 
 
 
 £ 
 
 
 
 
 w 
 
 13 
 
 H 
 
 «H 
 
 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 !>> 
 
 02 
 
 0i 
 
 CD 
 
 
 +J 
 
 s 
 
 r* 
 
 o 
 
 o 
 
 tf 
 
 
 fe 
 
 
 tf 
 
 <V 
 
 H 
 
 
 Ph 
 
 Pi 
 
 Ph 
 
 
 O 
 
 
 ffl 
 
 
 H 
 
 
 E 
 
 
 H 
 
 
The Hopper Trail is known as the "man killer." 
 But it is not so hard as its name would imply. The 
 best view of the Hopper can be obtained from Stony 
 Ledge. Miracles of coloring take place every year in 
 the Hopper. Early October is the best timje to view 
 the foliage. 
 
 The trail up the mountain is long, steep and not 
 very rough. And the brooks are at hand when needed. 
 Trail No. 9 has some cool little streamlets. 
 
 The distance to Williamstown by this way from 
 the Summit is about eight miles. 
 
 New Ashford Trail : 
 
 In recent years a trail has been opened from the 
 New Ashford valley, by way of Goodell Hollow. A 
 mile and a half south of South Williamstown on the 
 New Ashford road, there is a corner where a road 
 turns easterly up Goodell Hollow. The last occupied 
 house on this lane is the Collins House. From there 
 the trail continues up through the pasture to a ruined 
 house near a brook. At that point turn and cross 
 the brook to the right on a steep old wood road. The 
 ruined house lies within the reservation easterly of 
 the "Y" made by the north and south branches of 
 Roaring Brook. This is trail No. 5. 
 
 A pleasing variation of this trail is to clamber up 
 the bed of the brook. A wonderfully beautiful ravine 
 is that where Trail No. 6 ends. 
 
 The trail from Goodell Hollow opens to those 
 from New Ashford and South Williamstown what 
 perhaps is the most rugged and beautiful portion of 
 the reservation, the Heart of Greylock, and Sunset 
 
 24 
 
Rock; moreover it furnishes a near approach to the 
 Hopper and the vista of the great wall of foliage on 
 the western sides of Fitch, Greylock and Saddle Ball. 
 
 SHORT TRAILS FROM THE 
 SOUTHERN CARRIAGE ROAD 
 
 Rounds Rock Trail: 
 
 As one enters the reservation by the carriage 
 road from the south, the first trail leaving the main 
 road is that to Rounds Rock. The distance from the 
 road to the summit of the Rock is about a quarter 
 mile. The southern end of Rounds Rock marks the 
 southern limits of the reservation. The trail starts on 
 the western side of the road just north of the point 
 where the highway crosses the shoulder of Rounds 
 Rock after passing through the ravine. 
 
 The southern side of the Rock ends in a cliff in 
 places over one hundred feet in height. From the 
 summit near the triangulation tripod views may be 
 obtained in all directions. There are many berries 
 growing on the top of Rounds Rock, but there is no 
 water fit for drinking. 
 
 Jones Nose — Saddle Ball Trail : 
 
 (From the South). 
 
 If a line were drawn from Rounds Rock to 
 Saddle Ball on the government map it would pass close 
 to the point on the bridge of the Nose where the Trail 
 marked No. 3 on the Trail map begins to run north. 
 The spot cannot be missed, for it is just at the wood- 
 line, above the steep grass-covered incline of the Nose. 
 The trail enters a bit to the left of the "bridge." 
 
 25 
 
From the woodline an extensive view can be obtained 
 without much of a climb from the carriage road; 
 but few of those who pass on the road below seem 
 aware of that fact, however. 
 
 Those who prefer the less frequented trails will 
 find this enchanting. By following its course — for 
 Trails i, 2 and 3 are really one continuous trail — the 
 Summit can be reached from the south, with a mini- 
 mum of travel upon the carriage way. But the trees 
 must be watched closely for blazes. Generally the 
 trees have been marked so that the way may be plain 
 both coming and going. 
 
 There is a bit of good climbing on Trail No. 3 — 
 not rock work, but steep grades and sharp turns. In 
 the main the path follows the ridge to the northward. 
 Near the summit of Upper Saddle Ball a rough spruce 
 tower marks an excellent view point. The northern 
 end of the Trail (No. 1) is found at the sharp turn 
 in the switch-back of the Pittsfield road. The place 
 of beginning at that end is somewhat obscured by the 
 fact that a rough road was started from the switch- 
 back toward the east ; but this should not be followed. 
 The real trail is narrow ; going south from the switch- 
 back, along the rough road, it turns off to the right at 
 the foot of an evergreen tree, which is blazed. Once 
 the narrow path has been found the general southerly 
 direction will assure the walker that he is on the 
 right path. 
 
 26 
 
Camp Ground; Stony Ledge; 
 
 The. Heart of Greylock; Sunset Rock: 
 
 About three-quarters of a mile beyond the place 
 where the road coming from the south crosses Mitchell 
 Brook there is a road turning off to the left and lead- 
 ing down to the Camp Ground and to Stony Ledge. 
 From the fork of the road the Cam!p Ground is about 
 three-quarters of a mile. It is a sunny spot among the 
 pines, near a brook, to the left of the road as one 
 travels toward Stony Ledge. The turn-off to the 
 Camp Ground is about three-quarters of a mile from 
 the Pittsfield road. Motors should not be taken to the 
 top of Stony Ledge unless one wishes to risk rough 
 going. 
 
 It is from the level spot between Stony Ledge and 
 the Camp Ground that the Hopper Trail dips down to 
 the north. From the top of Stony Ledge is obtained 
 one of the finest views upon the mountain — the great 
 chasm of the Hopper, with its murmuring brooks and 
 mass of variegated foliage. 
 
 From the Camp Ground start two short trails. 
 To the Heart of Greylock (Trail No. 6) is three- 
 quarters of a mile. Following down the brook at 
 first on the left bank, and bearing away to the left, 
 a steep winding path leads one down to a cascade in 
 the depths of a ravine. This is the "Heart of Grey- 
 lock." From this point there is a fine climb up a 
 brook-bed to the Pittsfield road. Take the large brook 
 to the right for a little rock climbing. For brook work 
 use the government map. 
 
 27 
 
Sunset Rock (Trail No. 7), three-quarters of a 
 mile down the Collins trail, and to the left, gives a 
 beautiful prospect across the valley. By the Collins 
 Trail (No. 5), one can reach the Collins house in 
 Goodell Hollow which is about one and three-quarter 
 miles from the Camp Ground. That trail is described 
 more fully under Trails to the Summit. 
 
 "Misery Hill" Shortcut (Trail No. 19) : 
 
 After crossing the divide between Saddle Ball 
 and Greylock and travelling along the Pittsfield road 
 toward Mt. Greylock, one soon approaches the final 
 climb. The carriage road swings around by an easy 
 but slow ascent to the southeastern side of the 
 mountain. But if one should turn sharply to the left 
 up the peak in a direct line, he would save much in 
 distance. For an alert tramper. Misery Hill presents 
 no difficulties and affords much in the way of wonder- 
 fully extensive prospects. 
 
 The "Cut in the Rocks" on the southeastern 
 shoulder of the mountain marks the head of the 
 "Slide" above the town of Adams. If one wishes to 
 take a footpath, to the left at that point, following the 
 line of the telephone to the summit, niuch distance 
 will be saved. 
 
 There is a small obscure footpath encircling the 
 summit a short distance below the top of the mountain, 
 a few hundred feet down, but not on so low a level as 
 the cut in the rocks. This little path affords to bird 
 lovers the very chance for quiet that is needed to 
 observe the winged ones. 
 
 28 
 
A Short Trail from the Bellows Pipe: 
 
 (Raven's Crag Trail. Ragged Mountain on government map). 
 
 The views from Raven's Crag are often better 
 than those from, points higher on the reservation when 
 the weather is cloudy. As one stands at the Bellows 
 Pipe facing north, Raven's Crag is the ridge to the 
 right, east of the Notch Brook, above the Reservoir. 
 
 Starting from the stone wall across the Bellows 
 Pipe, bear up the hill toward the northeast. A rough 
 road will be found in the neighborhood of a reserva- 
 tion granite marker in the field; the marker is that 
 showing the southeastern corner of the strip of land 
 owned by North Adams and ending at the Bellows 
 Pipe. Follow this road northeasterly up the hill, taking 
 the second right. This will lead up past a little brook, 
 to the top of the ridge. There turn to the north and 
 follow the blazed trail which extends along the ridge 
 for over a mile and a half from; the Bellows Pipe. 
 
 After the first turn to the north at the top of the 
 ridge, the path continues a few rods to a summit bare 
 of trees ; then it turns hard to the right, descends to 
 a ravine and crosses directly to a very sharp ridge; 
 then it continues along this ridge, west of north, 
 turning to the north at the end of the knoll. Again it 
 continues north, on the eastern side of two small 
 crests, and finally it climbs up a sharp ridge, affording 
 an excellent view. 
 
 The entire Ragged Mountain ridge is about one 
 thousand feet lower than Greylock itself. But excel- 
 lent views of cloud effects on the vast mountain wall 
 of Williams, Fitch and Greylock may be obtained. The 
 trail was built by George A. Bauer for the Commission. 
 
 29 
 
Good water is to be found on this trip, and the 
 paths are not too rough for tender shoes. 
 
 SHORT TRAILS FROM THE 
 NORTHERN CARRIAGE ROAD 
 
 Trail No. 16: 
 
 This is a short connecting link between the North 
 Adams road and the upper part of the Bellows Pipe 
 Trail. It simply connects the road and the trail at a 
 point where they come together nearest. 
 
 The Trail to Mt. Fitch : 
 
 This is but 1,380 feet in length and goes to the 
 summit of Mt. Fitch. It is easily followed. There 
 is no clearing at present at the summit of Mt. Fitch. 
 The trail has been continued to the east a short dis- 
 tance to the east line of the Reservation. The line 
 has been cleared out at this point and it may be 
 followed without difficulty to the Mt. Williams trail, 
 and thus the summit of Mt. Williams reached. This 
 line between the extension of Trail No. 11 and Trail 
 No. 12 is a link in the trail which will somie day extend 
 from Williams to Fitch and to Greylock. This has 
 already been blazed on the trees after a fashion. It 
 extends southerly from Mt. Fitch on the easterly side 
 of the ridge ; then it strikes an old wood-road leading 
 southerly to the North Adams road ; a very short 
 distance north from that point of juncture, it turns to 
 the left for about two hundred yards straight up the 
 ridge to the east, where it joins the line cut out by 
 the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad in 
 
 30 
 
its survey. Thence it runs almost directly south to 
 the bend in the upper part of the Bellows Pipe trail ; 
 whence the way by trail to the Summit is clear. Thus 
 a north-and-south trail for the northern part of the 
 reservation is practically completed to correspond with 
 the similar trail to the south over Trails Nos. I, 
 2 and 3. 
 
 Inner Hopper Trail (No. 15) : 
 
 The trail is one-third of a mile in length. It 
 leads to a point from which an excellent view of the 
 Inner Hopper is obtained. It is possible by following 
 the blazes from this point to clamber down to the 
 Hopper Brook. One who loves climbing can ascend 
 then to the Pittsfield road by way of the south branch 
 of the Hopper Brook. This is one of the best trips 
 upon the reservation, unless the climb of the Slide be 
 excepted. But one should wear tramping clothes. 
 
 Trail to Mt. Williams (No. 12) : 
 
 (Length, 3,325 feet). 
 
 This turns to the east from the northern carriage 
 road and runs to the top of Mt. Williams, where there 
 is an excellent view to be obtained to the north and 
 northeast from a lookout in a tree, reached by a 
 ladder. 
 
 The Money Brook Trail (No. 15) : 
 
 (Distance: Less than ten minutes' walk from the road). 
 
 The path leads down the steep hillside covered 
 with pine needles to the Money Brook Cascade and 
 ends below the cascade. A mjore beautiful little nook 
 
 31 
 
is hard to find. The trail is on the west side of the 
 road and the descent is sudden, but the path is fairly 
 smooth. 
 
 The Mt. Simonds Trail (No. 13) : 
 
 (Mt. Prospect is another name for the hill. Length, 5,850 feet). 
 
 About two miles and a quarter up the North 
 Adams road from the Walden house on the west side 
 of the road near Mt. Williams there is an overgrown 
 pasture. There an old iron boiler stands, serving a 
 useful purpose ; it is a landmark for the beginning of 
 the Mt. Simonds trail. The trail goes west from the 
 road straight to the woods (800 feet). There the 
 blazes commence. The trail was laid out with a com- 
 pass, and runs in a series of straight lines. Where it 
 passes the edge of a clearing which lies to the north 
 is the point where one going to Williamstown should 
 follow the ridge through the open lot to the north. 
 The place where the trail to Williamstown cuts straight 
 down to the Old Wood road is marked on the edge of 
 the above mentioned clearing on the west by blazes 
 and by a brush heap. It is perhaps three or four 
 hundred yards (estimated) from the Simonds trail. 
 
 But to go to Mt. Simonds one should keep in the 
 woods to the left of the clearing. Mt. Simonds on the 
 north of the Hopper corresponds in position to Stony 
 Ledge on the south. Prospect ends in a sharp ridge at 
 the southwestern extremity, bare of trees. Excellent 
 vistas of the Hopper reveal themselves there. 
 
 On the Prospect trail there is no water, so carry 
 some along. By following down the ridge one can 
 descend directly to the bottom of the Hopper. 
 
 32 
 
Note : The top of the sharp ridge where the Pros- 
 pect trail ends may be seen clearly on the cut of Mt. 
 Prospect a few pages back. From the open lot at the 
 extreme right the trail descends to Williamstown. 
 
 TWO ADDITIONAL TRAILS 
 
 Mr. Charles Barker has marked on his private 
 map two trails not shown on the Road and Trail map. 
 
 The first of these is a short trail to< the head of 
 the recent landslide in the Inner Hopper. The trail 
 turns from the northern carriage road, about one- 
 quarter of a mile northerly of the present "Inner 
 Hopper" trail, near a dry brook on the down-hill side ; 
 and it leads to the "slide" in the Hopper. 
 
 The other trail is a continuation of the Raven's 
 Crag trail to Raven's Rock, on the reservation over- 
 looking Adams. After reaching the cleft in the hilltop 
 where the Raven's Crag trail turns northerly from the 
 wood road, follow the road to the east, instead of 
 taking the trail ; bear first to the left, and then turn to 
 the right. The rock juts out at the top of a ledge of 
 considerable height. 
 
 Note : The cut, "Greylock from the East," at the 
 extreme right shows the southern end of Raven's 
 Crag. From the Notch the Bellows Pipe trail zig-zags 
 to the top of the ridge at a point near the center of 
 the picture. 
 
 For permission to use views, thanks are due to 
 Messrs. Plumb & Clark, to Mr. Barker and to George 
 R. Carter. 
 
 33 
 
i . 
 
 
 L ^jJ^L T3faf^ ~lffllBffiHK^ * " 
 
 
 
 i 'IPS ' '"' 
 
 4Uw : * ^ 
 
 
 BH^^^^S: 
 
 ! ^Se?^ > 
 
 ^B| 
 
 F' 1 *' IHe"^^- -*'t(r& TE^ 
 
 ^S^r 
 
 Iff * * 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 A GREYLOCK ROAD 
 
TABLE OF APPROXIMATE DISTANCES 
 
 Trail Distances to Greylock Summit 
 
 Miles 
 
 From Cheshire Harbor, via: 
 
 Cheshire Harbor Trail 5. 
 
 From Adams, via: 
 
 Cheshire Harbor Trail 7.3 
 
 Bellows Pipe Trail 5.5 
 
 From North Adams, via: 
 
 Bellows Pipe Trail 7. 
 
 Bellows Pipe Trail to end Raven's Crag Trail 
 at north (not to Summit) 7. 
 
 From Williamstown, via: 
 
 Mt. Simonds Trail 8. 
 
 Hopper Trail 8. 
 
 Collins Trail (South Williamstown and Goodell 
 Hollow) :. 10. 
 
 Road Distances to Greylock Summit 
 
 From Pittsfield, via: 
 
 Pratt Hill Road 16. 
 
 Rounds Rock, Lanesboro 16.20 
 
 From Adams, via: 
 
 Scholz House 13. 
 
 Lanesboro (Rockwell Road) 21.40 
 
 From North Adams, via: 
 
 Notch Reservoir Road 10.40 
 
 Lanesboro 27.50 
 
 From Cheshire, via: 
 
 The Cummings Farm 8.20 
 
 Rockwell Road, Lanesboro 12. 
 
 From Williamstown, via: 
 
 North Adams Road 14.50 
 
 Lanesboro (Rockwell Road) 22. 
 
 Pratt Hill Road, New Ashford 14.50 
 
 35 
 
LESS WELL-KNOWN POINTS 
 
 A Few Things to See and Where to Find Them 
 
 Objective 
 The Hopper for Foliage: 
 
 Examples of Erosion: 
 
 Cloud Effects on Greylock: 
 
 Views of North Adams: 
 
 View Point 
 
 Mt. Prospect 
 Stony Ledge 
 Camp Ground 
 Inner Hopper Trail 
 Hopper Trail in Autumn 
 
 The Hopper 
 
 The Slide 
 
 The Entire Greylock Group 
 
 Raven's Crag 
 
 Saddle Ball and Lower Points 
 
 Mt. Williams 
 
 Views of Southern Berkshire: Rounds Rock 
 
 Jones Nose 
 
 Views of the Hills West- 
 ward and Southward: 
 
 Cascades: 
 
 Glacial Scratching: 
 
 Saddle Ball 
 Stony Ledge 
 
 Bassett Brook 
 
 Hopper Brook, South Branch 
 
 Heart of Greylock 
 
 Money Brook 
 
 At the Summit 
 
 In 1916 the only peak of all those in the reservation 
 which was shut in by woods upon its summit was 
 Mt. Fitch; and even there, in the autumn and winter, 
 Ragged Mountain was clearly visible. 
 
 36 
 
TABLE OF MAP DISTANCES 
 
 Greylock to: Miles 
 
 Boston 109 
 
 Buffalo 286 
 
 Montreal 208 
 
 New York City 144 
 
 Canadian Boundary 170 
 
 Mt. Marcy 112 
 
 Mt. Washington 146 
 
 The Catskills 50 
 
 From Fifteenth Annual Report, Greylock Commission. 
 
 TABLE OF HEIGHTS 
 
 Feet Above 
 
 Sea Level 
 
 Greylock 3,505 
 
 Mt. Everett :.'■' 2,624 
 
 Great Blue Hill 635 
 
 Mt. Washington 6,285 
 
 Mt. Wachusett 2,108 
 
 Slide Mountain 4,205 
 
 Mt. Marcy 5,344 
 
 BIBLIOGRAPHY 
 
 A partial bibliography of works relating to the Reser- 
 vation will be found in the Fifteenth Annual Report, Grey- 
 lock Commission. 
 
 REPORTS OF GREYLOCK COMMISSION 
 
 These are published annually by the state and may be 
 secured gratis from the commission. Financial reports are 
 incorporated in those of the County Treasurer of Berk- 
 shire County, Massachusetts. 
 
 37 
 
Plan of Greylock state Reservation 
 
 Berkshj re Co. 
 
 8 % | ffass 
 
 INOEX TO FOOT TRAILS 
 
 I <SfYITCH- BACK RVAO 70 UPPER SADDLE-BALL 
 Z UPPER SAOOLE-BALL TV LOWER SAOOLE-BALL 
 
 3 L0IVER SAOOLE-BALL TV JONES NOSE 
 
 4 LOfYERSAODLESALL TO CHESHIRE ROAD 
 
 5 STONY LEOGE ROAD TO COLLINS HOUSE 
 
 6 COLLINS TRAIL TO HEART OFGREYLOCIf 
 
 7 COLLINS TRAIL TO JUAISETffOCK 
 
 8 STONY LEOGE ROAD TO BACONS HOUSE 
 
 9 STONY LEOGE ROAD TO <SniTCH-BACH 
 
 10 S1VITCH-BACK TO OIV/OE ROAD 
 
 II NORTH ADAMS ROAD TV FIT. FITCH 
 
 11 " " •• "PIT.niLLIAPIS 
 13 " " •■ •> MTSIMONds 
 
 MONEYBROOK 
 VIEIYOF INNER HOPPER 
 Ik a " " " BELLOWS PIPE TRAIL 
 
 17 CO. COMn. ROAD TO J7ALOENS HOUSE 
 IB S'CHOLTZ HOUSE TO OIV/OE ROAD 
 /« co.cornm. roao to summit • 
 
 Bacons 
 
 dec. i<m 
 
 rTm.N. Toiler C.E 
 North fldams, Mass. 
 
THE UNITED STATES 
 
 smaller streams 
 
 ins, lakes, 
 
 qis — those 
 
 q the year — are 
 
 i contour on 
 
 tour line, 
 
 The 
 
 shore line 
 
 On a gentle 
 
 ; on a si 
 
 tour 
 
 a cliff. 
 
 by a sea cliff. The hill on the 
 valley in a steep p. It ■ 
 
 the scarp and forms an ii 
 by a few shallow gullies. On 1 
 is inch 'ectly ber, 
 
 contour lines. 
 The contour ii 
 
 mapped; in a fl 
 mountainous region it 
 
 and are 
 level. The 
 
 
 
 nf 1 
 
 
- 
 
 I