Bartholomew's Cobble advice?

[audrey]

I'll be out in western Mass this weekend and plan to spend some time at Bartholomew's Cobble.

Any recommendations for specific areas from you plant people? With 43 species of ferns to see, I've got my work cut out for me.

 

[arghman]

it's a small area, not hard to see lots of stuff. I never did look much at the ferns when I went (late April), would be curious to see your photos.

If I recall correctly there's kind of a north-south valley between two hills. You'll get a good sampling if you go

• in the valley (ferns)
• south side of both hills (although spring ephemerals are gone by now)
• Corbin's Neck, by the Housatonic River -- not much although it's really scenic, & I saw cuckooflower there which is kind of uncommon

edit: map available online. If you're pressed for time, I'd avoid the Eaton trail to the north of the cobble proper, it's got a lot of invasives and didn't really have anything special. The cobble itself is only about 500' x 1000' (10-12 acres or so), so you should be able to poke around for quite a bit.

 

[Peakbagr]

Audrey,

Might be worth a short side trip to Monument Mt Preserve if the Mountain Laurel are blooming yet.

Alan

 

[roadtripper]

And if time permits be sure to check out nearby Bash Bish Falls if you haven't been there before....although it hasn't been raining lately, so the waterflow could be weak.

 

[Peakbagr]

Audrey watch the pooch if you take him in the Taconics. Enough rattlesnakes that you need to take care with a dog this time of year.

 

[audrey]

Peakbagr,
Leo won't be with us, so I do hope I get lucky and have a benign encounter like you did.

I am thinking of Mt. Frissell and Bear Mountain. I have never hiked anything in Connecticut and it would be cool to be able to check off both the high point and the highest summit.

 

[Stan]

If you haven't been there I think you'd enjoy a stroll through the botanical gardens located a few miles west of the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge. Bet you'd come home with something for your yard.

Speaking of ferns, japanese paintbrush ferns are very attractive and though various varieties have the same coloring, it is arranged differently and interesting on the leaves. They do well in the shade.

If you haven't seen the piano strings on the trail up Monument Mtn., that is a must see. Look for a side trail to the "waterfall" on the northern part of the loop.

For dinner, the Dreamaway Lodge in Becket is my recommendation. They'd appreciate a couple of Italian love songs from Pat though he'll probably still have to pay DOUBLE for his dinner ... but I'd buy just to hear his melodious tones ... if he didn't think I was making a pass!

 

[audrey]

If you haven't been there I think you'd enjoy a stroll through the botanical gardens located a few miles west of the Red Lion Inn in Stockbridge. Bet you'd come home with something for your yard.

Speaking of ferns, japanese paintbrush ferns are very attractive and though various varieties have the same coloring, it is arranged differently and interesting on the leaves. They do well in the shade.

Stan, I stop by to the Berkshire Botanical Garden whenever I'm out there, as well as the Pleasant Valley Audubon sanctuary. Wonderful places. We do have a couple of Japanese painted ferns in our yard; at least Leo hasn't peed on those yet.