Mt.Greylock via AT question

[bintrepidhiker]

I was thinking of doing Mt. Greylock this saturday and was planning on taking the Appalachian Trail from Overlook Ave. Does anyone know if its ok to park a car along Overlook Ave or if i have to pick up the trail further south?

 

[masshysteria]

While I can't picture an actual parking area there, I'm almost positive that parking on the side of the road would not be a problem. Overlook Ave. isn't a very well traveled road, and I'm sure your not the only person that is going to park there.
The next road crossing to the south is Rt. 8, and there is not a parking area there, unless you use the convenience store lot down the road. Have fun!

 

[poison ivy]

I initially answered this question thinking you meant Outlook Ave... but I deleted it in case there is an Overlook Ave as well that I'm not aware of. Masshysteria is describing Outlook Ave.

In any case, if you did mean Outlook Ave., you can park along the road there but there isn't a parking lot. There is more of a pullout parking area on the shoulder of Route 8, but the trail is harder to locate, the crossing is not well marked.

- Ivy

 

[Mike P.]

It's been years but I've parked along the road there before without incident.

 

[grouseking]

Have fun this weekend. Wish I was out hiking too, but summer camp calls!

 

[masshysteria]

Poison Ivy, you are indeed correct, it is Outlook Ave.! Thank you for the correction. By the way, check out the huge glacial erratic in the field across from the trailhead.

PI was also correct about the lack of obvious markings on the Rt. 8 crossing. There is a small AT marker on the east side of the road, and it is obvious where the trail is as you head toward the Cobbles. But the other side of the road (west) has nothing that I can see, though I have to admit I've only looked while driving by. This is a reroute since the last time I went through there.

As far as parking on the shoulder of Rt.8, the State Police barracks are a couple of miles up the road, and they have been known to ticket vehicles that aren't far enough off the road. Be careful.

 

[bintrepidhiker]

Excellent! I didn't think there would be a problem, but i wanted to make sure since i am not familar with that area at all. Thanks a bunch for your input