In the Shadow of Purple Majesty - Greylock Glen Meadow

Sep 27

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Where We Went : Greylock Glen - Adams

When We Went : Mid- May

Difficulty (Boots 1 - 10) : 0.5 Boot

Trail Length : Handicapped Accesible Greylock Glen Meadow Loop Trail - 1.7 miles // Moser Farm Loop Trail - 2.2 miles

How Long it Took Us : 2 Hours

"I pointed to a hill at some distance before us, and asked what it was. 'That, Sir,' said he, 'is a very high hill. It is known by the name of Graylock.' He seemed to feel that this was a more poetical epithet than Saddleback, which is a more usual name for it."

-From the American Notebooks of Nathaniel Hawthorne

Overview : To the first settlers in the 18th century, it was called Grand Hoosuck Mountain. Pittsfield viewers dubbed it Saddle Ball or Saddleback, much to the disapproval of Hawthorne's stagecoach driver in the quote above. Yet it is here we find the 1st written record of the name "Graylock." The likely assumption is that the name stems from the rolling haze that constantly blankets its peak. As it is with both history and mountains, things get cloudier the farther you go. In David Dudley Fields' 1829,

Chief Gray Lock Burlington Vermont Legend of Greylock

But for us romantics in the crowd, consider a popular legend: A forceful chief of the Western Abenaki,

The Greylock Glen has a less notable, more infamous, history of its own. Originally owned by local farmers, during the 1970s, a resort conglomerate by the name of ELCO, attempted to develop the land into a massive condominium complex including a ski resort and golf course. Thought to be the economic savior for a chronically depressed area, after various false starts and attempts at construction, the project was abandoned due to financial issues. The state acquired the land in 1985. These days, plans for the

What We Dug : I'm so excited (and apprehensive) to see this place developed. We fell in love the minute we set foot on the trails. Wide, gravel trails were a bonus for the two miniature sets of legs that always seem to be following us around. We began with a stroll through a lively thicket that surrounds a pond with views of the legendary mountain. The wetland area is home to many migratory birds, and just teeming with diverse plant-life. The sounds of spring peepers were a familiar backing track for such an idyllic walk.

Following the trail into a wooded area, the kids were on high alert for rumored remnants of a ski resort that never was.

Chair lift towers reclaimed by nature couldn't hide from my two champion seekers. Neither could evidence of busy beaver activity.

Further ambling took us into a magical birch grove and into a meadow. All I can say is: VIEWS. Unbelievably magnificent mountain views in every direction. I was blown away. I still am. I look back at the pictures and want to drop everything and just sit there for hours. I kid you not. It was that good. We happened to visit amidst the sparkling halo of golden hour, a happy coincidence, as Mr. Ross would surely agree. The views of Greylock and the surrounding hills are absolutely breathtaking. Revisiting during autumn months for the seasonal colors is a MUST. The monstrous willow trees are a perfect spot to enjoy an apple, a hot cider, or split the difference and indulge in an apple cider donut (or 2 - we're hiking here people). I cannot think of a better spot to herald the fall foliage in all of it's regalia.

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves." John Muir

What We Could Do Without : Litter makes the Earth sad, and makes us mad. Pick up yer stinkin' garbage, ya cretins!

Keep Your Eyes Peeled For: black cherry, red maple, box elder, quaking aspen, gray birch, paper birch, black willow, musclewood, swamp dogwood, honeysuckle, marsh marigold, cattails, sensitive fern, trout lily, staghorn sumac, blue azure butterfly, red-spotted newt, leopard frog, beaver, american kestrel, eastern kingbird, red-winged blackbird, pileated woodpecker, northern cardinal, american goldfinch, golden eagle

Must Know Before You Go’s : Glen Meadow Loop is a packed gravel, multi-use path for non-motorized recreation. Handicapped Accessible. Moser Farm Loop is not. Parking available. Bathroom Facility, Gazebo with picnic table, Leashed Dogs Allowed.

Directions : In Adams, take MA-116 North and stay on Center/Park St for 2.4 miles. Turn left at E Maple St and continue onto Maple St. Take a left onto Notch Rd and continue onto W Rd. Gould Road will be on the right, keep left to arrive at Greylock Glen.

Website :

http://greylockglenresort.com/the-site/greylock-glen-trails

Resources :

http://exploreadams.com/play/trails

https://web.williams.edu/wp-etc/ces/greylock-glen-trail.pdf

http://greylockindependent.com/2014/11/town-of-adams-revives-greylock-glen-project/

https://www.newenglandskihistory.com/cancelledskiareas/Massachusetts/greylockglen.php

Scroll through for more pictures of our Greylock Glen adventure!