Hikes near Jiminy Peak

[4check]

The family is spending a week right by Jiminy Peak ski area and I'm looking for some hikes:

1. A shorty to a pond or some other cool spot for the 2.5 year old.

2. A +/- 4 miler for the 6 year old. Hopefully also to some nice views or interesting destination.

3. A 10+ miler with some nice views for me. I was thinking of the section of the AT in South Egremont that goes to Mt. Everett and Mt. Race (plus return) that had a small writeup in Backpacker Magazine's Classic Trails issue (June '06).

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[Quietman]

Everett and Race are very nice but it looks like an hour drive from Jiminy. Search on this site for SW Mass hikes and you'll find a lot of previous threads like SW Mass Hikes

Here is a link from the Jiminy Peak site on area hikes. Jiminy Peak area hikes

Greylock has many different levels of hikes. Mt Greylock Trail Map

Hope this gives you a start.

 

[rocket21]

The Race area is nice and worth the drive from Jiminy.

Do beware that Greylock is closed to auto traffic and the summit facilities are closed as well.

Rounds Rock is a nice hike from the south side of Greylock (visitors center on Rockwell Road) - I forget the exact mileage, but I think it's in the 3.5-4mi range (about 1k vertical on ascent via Northrup Trail). Nice southern ledge views.

Greylock Glen might be an easy one with some interesting stuff - you can do a flat loop around the base area and see the remnants of an abandoned, never completed ski area (partially completed chairlifts, lights, snowmaking hydrants alongside the trail and in the woods). This is located near the end of Thunderbolt.

Monument Mountain is a fun one, but probably a little too much for a 2 year old. Not too too far from Jiminy, neat natural features, good views. Probably rather crowded right now, though.

There are some hikes in Pittsfield State Forest too, but quite honestly the only one of the three peaks I've been on that's worthwhile viewwise is Tower Mountain (I've also been on Berry Mountain and Pine Mountain). Tower Mountain is a short hike from the Tilden Swamp area (picnic area).

Some links to my trip reports are here: http://www.franklinsites.com/hikephotos/Massachusetts/

If the crowds are too heavy in Berkshire County, consider the 1 hr or so drive to Franklin County. Some nice, lesser known peaks there.

 

[Peaks]

Isn't Bish Bash Falls in that area?

 

[iceNsnow]

Taconic Crest

There are many access points for the Taconic Crest trail which goes very close to the summit of Jimney. It starts off rt 22 near the Shaker village and continues to Pownal , VT. Check out a bookstore in the Albany area for detailed maps. Round Mt to Berlin Mt and back makes a nice ridge route. Or follow one of the hollows up to the ridge to make a loop.

Greylocks trails are also nearby and provide great variety. The AT passes very near Jimney Peak as it crosses over Greylock.

October Mt is quite near Jimney Peak! Haven't been there yet but seems like it has a tremendous network.