Mt. Greylock (3,491 ft.) is the
highest peak in Massachusetts. Located in the Berkshires near
New York State, Greylock is part of the 12,500-acre Mt. Greylock
State Reservation. There are two notable landmarks on the summit:
Bascom Lodge and Memorial Tower. Built in 1937, Bascom
Lodge accommodates 34 overnight guests, serves meals, and
sells products related to Mt. Greylock and the outdoors including
a great map of the Reservation. Its new operator in 2001
is Nature's
Classroom, a non-profit organization that provides environmental
education programming services to schools throughout New England
and New York. The 92-foot, granite Memorial Tower commemorates
casualties of all wars. Its beacon can be seen blinking
at night 72 miles away. The Appalachian Trail passes
over Greylock's summit on its way from Georgia to Maine.
Nearby Sperry Campground
provides a camping alternative to Bascom Lodge. The campground
offers 27 numbered and 5 group camping sites along Sperry Road
for $5-$6 per night. At the end of Sperry Road is the must-see
Stony Ledge, a magnificent bluff and picnic area that looks
across The Hopper valley to Greylock. Mt. Greylock
can be hiked from Sperry Campground (for an easy hike to Greylock
using the Hopper Trail, check out the "Preplanned Hikes"
link to the left).
Rockwell Road passes through
the middle of the Reservation from north to south. At the
southern entrance is the Mt. Greylock Visitor's Center.
There you will find information on hiking trails, the Civilian
Conservation Corps that built much of the Reservation, an excellent
3D topographical model of the area, and friendly park staff to
answer your questions. Driving north on Rockwell Road will
take you to Sperry Campground and the summit of Mt. Greylock where
there is a parking lot. Mt. Greylock State Reservation is a treasure
and well worth visiting. North of the park on Rt. 2
is idyllic Williamstown, home of Williams College, one
of the most prestigious colleges in the United States. Spring
Street in Williamstown is a great place for a bite to eat.
Mt. Greylock Visitor's Center:
(413) 499-4262
Bascom Lodge reservations: (413)
743-1591
Sperry Road Campground reservations:
(877) 422-6762
or
www.reserveamerica.com
