With a forecast that varied from partially sunny to showers, we headed up from the Roaring Brook trail. The normally wet bottom of the trail was soggy from the recent rain, but otherwise in fine condition.
The trail climbs steeply on what looked like an old tote road in many places.
A good way up, the Roaring Brook trail ends at the Sperry Campground where we picked up the Hopper Trail. We followed this for a while until taking a short detour to a beautiful pond framing the rime-iced trees. We chose to take the road to the summit, to enhance our chances for a few views, as it was apparent that the summit was fogged in. Walking the road for the last part, we got good looks at Adams, MA and the surrounding countryside, again, over rimed trees.
The higher we went, the deeper the fog, and we stopped off in the stone and glass emergency shelter(open all year) located just below the summit. Here we had lunch and speculated on what an interesting winter destination it would be with its wood stove, wood burning oven, and combination bench-sleeping platforms.
During lunch, a lightly-clad mountain biker stopped in for a few momemts and there were others peddling by.
After a bite to eat, we walked around the summit and then up to the mounument. We descended as far down as we could on the road as the traction was good and it had been snowing lightly. We cut back over to the Roaring Brook trail and then back to the cars.
Dick, Joann, Boo and I were especially happy to welcome my friend Carlo back to the States after his annual sabbattical to the Dolomites. He and his wife joined us and it was a pleasure to have his advice on the trail selection and routes as Greylock is one of his favorite haunts.
Amazingly enough, this was the first time Dick and Joann had hiked in MA, and I have a feeling they'll be back to Greylock.
Bookah gave the hike a "4-wag rating" for company and interesting things to look at and sniff.
The trail climbs steeply on what looked like an old tote road in many places.
A good way up, the Roaring Brook trail ends at the Sperry Campground where we picked up the Hopper Trail. We followed this for a while until taking a short detour to a beautiful pond framing the rime-iced trees. We chose to take the road to the summit, to enhance our chances for a few views, as it was apparent that the summit was fogged in. Walking the road for the last part, we got good looks at Adams, MA and the surrounding countryside, again, over rimed trees.
The higher we went, the deeper the fog, and we stopped off in the stone and glass emergency shelter(open all year) located just below the summit. Here we had lunch and speculated on what an interesting winter destination it would be with its wood stove, wood burning oven, and combination bench-sleeping platforms.
During lunch, a lightly-clad mountain biker stopped in for a few momemts and there were others peddling by.
After a bite to eat, we walked around the summit and then up to the mounument. We descended as far down as we could on the road as the traction was good and it had been snowing lightly. We cut back over to the Roaring Brook trail and then back to the cars.
Dick, Joann, Boo and I were especially happy to welcome my friend Carlo back to the States after his annual sabbattical to the Dolomites. He and his wife joined us and it was a pleasure to have his advice on the trail selection and routes as Greylock is one of his favorite haunts.
Amazingly enough, this was the first time Dick and Joann had hiked in MA, and I have a feeling they'll be back to Greylock.
Bookah gave the hike a "4-wag rating" for company and interesting things to look at and sniff.
