Mt. Greylock Preplanned Hike

Overview

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.

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

Preplanned Hike

This hike begins and ends at Sperry Road Campground. It follows the Hopper Trail 1.7 miles to the summit of Mt. Greylock and then back down the same trail.

Trailhead parking for the Hopper Trail is located within Sperry Road Campground just beyond the ranger building at the Campground's entrance. In the lot there is a "Hopper Trail" sign with an arrow pointing in two directions. Start the hike by heading back up Sperry Road toward Rockwell Road. You'll pass a sign for the March Cataract Trail on your left, the ranger building on your right, you'll cross over a brook, and then you'll come to the junction of Sperry Road and the Hopper Trail on your left about 0.1 mi. from the ranger building.

Turn left onto the Hopper Trail, following the blue blazes. You'll be walking on a moderately steep, narrow, forested trail when you arrive at the junction of the Hopper Trail and the Deer Hill Trail. Turn left to stay on the Hopper Trail. Now you're walking on a flat, wide path surrounded by ferns, spruce, and beech trees.

Soon you'll arrive at the junction of the Hopper Trail and the Overlook Trail. Turn right to remain on the Hopper Trail. However, if you wanted to lengthen your hike by about a mile, you could take the 1.7 mile Overlook Trail to the summit of Greylock. I have hiked this trail and didn't find the one overlook of the valley that impressive. Sticking to the Hopper Trail, it is a little under a mile to Greylock's summit from here.

Continuing on the Hopper Trail, you come to a fork in the trail. Veer left. You are walking on a moderately steep rocky path. You will arrive at the junction of the Hopper Trail and the Appalachian Trail. From here to the summit, the two trails coincide so you will be following the white blazes of the Appalachian Trail. Turn left here to head toward the summit. You will walk over bog bridges and pass a little pond on your left.

You emerge from the woods onto Rockwell Road. There is a sign across the street pointing left to "Summit/Bascom Lodge". Turn left and you will see another sign pointing you into the woods to follow the white-blazed Appalachian Trail to the summit. This final push is a moderately steep rocky section of trail.

When you emerge from the woods, you will see a parking lot with an electrical tower on your left and a garage on your right. On your right are three portable bathrooms that service the top of the mountain. Turning right here, walking between the garage and the portolets, you come to a path that leads directly to Bascom Lodge. As you step onto this path, immediately on your left on the ground is a hose that you can use to fill water bottles. It is easy to miss so look carefully.

Your other option is to continue straight, following the white blazes painted on the road that lead you to the summit. This is a more picturesque route. It is only 0.1 mi. from here to the summit so it really what you decide.

Congratulations! You are now standing on the highest ground in Massachusetts! At the summit you will find a memorial commemorating the Mt. Greylock summit as a national historic landmark, you will find 92-foot Memorial Tower commemorating Massachusetts veterans of all wars, and you will find Bascom Lodge, which opened its doors in 1937. It is easy to spend an hour or two reading the many plaques, visiting the landmarks, and admiring the northerly view of the town of North Adams and state of Vermont.

Take the same trail back to your car to complete your hike. Looking for a place outside the park for dinner or ice cream after your hike? Check out idyllic Williamstown north of the Reservation, home of Williams College, one of the most prestigious colleges in the United States.

Directions

Mt. Greylock is located within Mt. Greylock State Reservation, Adams, MA, in the Berkshires of northwestern Massachusetts.

Directions to Sperry Road Campground in Mt. Greylock State Reservation

From the north:

Rt. 2 (West Main St., North Adams, MA)

If coming from Williamstown, Notch Rd. is 2.1 mi. after the Williamstown/North Adams town line and immediately after a gas station.  Notch Rd. will be on your right.

If coming from North Adams, Notch Rd. about a mile after passing through North Adams and a cemetary on your left. Notch Road will be on your left.

Sign for "Mt. Greylock Reservation"

0 mi.           Turn onto Notch Road
1.2 mi.        Turn left to remain on Notch Rd.
2.0 mi.        Entrance to Mt. Greylock State Reservation
7.5 mi.        Junction Notch Rd. & Rockwell Rd.
                  Turn right onto Rockwell Rd. (left turn takes you to Mt. Greylock summit in 1 mile)
9 mi.           Turn right onto Sperry Rd.
10 mi.         Ranger building at entrance to Sperry Rd. campground

From the south:

From the Mass. Pike, take exit #2 in Lee.
Follow Rt. 20 to Rt. 7 North.
Continue north to Lanesboro.
Set odometer at Pittsfield/Lanesboro town line.
At approximately 3 miles, stone church on left, the turn is coming very soon.
At 3.2 miles north of the Pittsfield/Lanesboro town line, turn right onto North Main St.
Reset odometer.
0 mi.       Junction North Main St./Rt. 7
0.7 mi.    Turn right onto Quarry Rd., will see sign for "State Reservation"
1.1 mi.    Veer left at fork onto Rockwell Rd., sign "Rockwell Road to Greylcok"
1.7 mi.    Mt. Greylock Visitor Center

From Mt. Greylock Visitor Center:

0 mi.       Visitor Center
5.5 mi.    Sperry Rd. on left to Sperry Rd. Campground
               (or right turn to Mt. Greylock summit 2.5 miles away)

Submitted by: Mark, MountainSummits.com, age 31, athletic male.