Any 2 Day Loop Hike Recommendations Western MA?

[BushMeat]

Hi all,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I am in search of a 2 day loop hike in Western MA. I automatically think around the MT Greylock area. I will be hiking with a my 14 year old cousin who wants to experience the great outdoors! Though this is his first hike, he is very athletic and I am sure he can handle a moderately difficult hike. The last time I hiked was in 97 so I am a little rusty but can handle a moderate hike.

Our date is for Saturday Sept 7th with an 11am start time, hike 4-6 hours, camp for the night, then another 4-6 hours of hiking the next day back to the car.

Any recommendations? What are the general rules for overnight camping in MA? Perhaps a trail with shelters along it? Do I have to worry about hunting that time?

Sorry for all the questions. I will actively search as well.

Thanks,

BushMeat

 

[Jay H]

Greylock would be your best option for a loop, since it is the largest area and includes the AT that goes through it. The Taconic Crest Trail is a nice backpack too but it's mostly linear and not a lot of loops for a full 2 days...

There are leantos on greylock and the Sperry Campground that you could camp at. You could say start at the Hopper Trailhead, hike to Sperry, setup tents, and drop packs. Check out March Cataract Falls, perhaps go down to Glen Elis Falls or Money Brook Falls, check out Stony Ledge which overlooks the Hopper Trail that you just came up. Day 2, you could dayhike up to Greylock Summit and perhaps go out to Fitch to on the AT then back to Sperry, pack up and head out..


Wont have to worry about hunting within XXX feet of the summit of greylock but in reality, it's not bad and not in Sept really.. I think the DCR map shows the radius where no hunting is allowed...

Jay

 

[Tom_Murphy]

http://www.thetrustees.org/assets/documents/places-to-visit/trailmaps/Tully-Trail-Map.pdf

Tully Trail

 

[Stan]

There are a couple loop possibilities in the SW corner of Mass if you don't mind a road walk for part of it, mostly woods roads. It includes the ridgeline of the AT between The CT state line and Mt. Everett. There are ridge views that rival Greylock along this stretch and Sages Ravine is interesting in its own right. There was a shelter north of Guilder Pond, Northwest Cabin (actually in CT and maintained/reserved through AMC's Berkshire Committee) and some campsites along the way. I hestitate to get more specific as I haven't been there in years and don't have current maps but the trail and its attraction hasn't likely changed.

 

[Jay H]

Sages Ravine would be good to, could do Race/Everett from there.. but like Stan says, not really a loop...

Alander Mtn might be a possiblity from say Bash Bish falls campground on the S. Taconic trail,. possible stay at the cabin there... \

Jay

 

[tomcat32]

Not Mass, but not too far north of border in VT a 2 day loop can be done hiking up LT/AT from RT 9 to Glastenbury and down the West Ridge Trail for a 22 or so mile loop.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/gre...ocs/south_pdf/glastenbury_west_ridge_loop.pdf This link has specifics.

 

[jfb]

Here's a Mt. Greylock loop that might be good. Park on Gould Road, in a small lot across from the Gould trailhead. Head northwest through the Greylock Glen to the Thunderbolt trail and take it to the top where it intersects the AT. Follow the AT south, over the summit and then follow the Hopper trail downhill. When you get to the Money Brook/Hopper cutoff, take a right to the Money Brook trail and follow it uphill to the Wilbur campsite.

Next day, continue north on the Money Brook trail a short distance to the AT and follow it all the way to the summit again. Get back to your car by following the Hopper trail to the road, then the Gould trail.

 

[Quietman]

There are a couple loop possibilities in the SW corner of Mass if you don't mind a road walk for part of it, mostly woods roads. It includes the ridgeline of the AT between The CT state line and Mt. Everett. There are ridge views that rival Greylock along this stretch and Sages Ravine is interesting in its own right. There was a shelter north of Guilder Pond, Northwest Cabin (actually in CT and maintained/reserved through AMC's Berkshire Committee) and some campsites along the way. I hestitate to get more specific as I haven't been there in years and don't have current maps but the trail and its attraction hasn't likely changed.

Technically, in the Mount Washington State forest, you are only supposed to camp at the cabin, the dispersed camping sites about a mile down the Alander Mtn. Trail, or the camping sites on the AT. I will say that I did stealth camp way off the Ashley Hill trail one time.

HERE is an older but very detailed online map of the area that I found a while ago, click on the map to enlarge it. The out of date items that I am aware of are, the dispersed camping area has moved further up the Alander Mtn Trail, and the Bear Rock Falls camp site on the AT is closed but the new Laurel Ridge camp site is just south of the old site.

 

[BillG]

I have hiked a fair amount near Greylock and in the SW corner of the state. I think you have good options in both areas. In Mt. Washington, you could hike in to the camping area, set up camp and then hike to Bash Bish Falls and then back to camp for the first day. For the second day, you could hike South down to Mt. Frissell in CT and come back on the Taconic Trail up to Mt. Alander and then back to camp. You would have two nice days of hiking without having to carry full packs for the entire time.

You could do something similar at Greylock as well. I usually like to park at Haley farm and hike up to the campground through the Hopper, then set up camp and do a loop the next day. If you are going to sleep at a tentsite (as opposed to the leantos, you will need a reservation).

Both areas are beautiful. Have fun.