Table of Contents
On this page: On other pages:- Highpointing in Western Massachusetts
- Friday: Alander Mountain
- Saturday: Mount Greylock
- Sunday morning: Berlin Mountain
- Monday: Mount Frissell and Brace Mountain
- Resources for Highpointing in the Berkshires
Trip Report
After climbing Berlin Mountain I returned to Williamstown, and went to The Mountain Goat, Williamstown's main outdoors store, to buy the USGS North Adams map for my climb up Crum Hill. While there I also bought some other maps and a guide book for my next trip to the Berkshires. Then I went to the motel and ate my sandwiches on the lawn.I then drove east on Rt. 2, climbing the west side of the Hoosac Range on the famous switchback. After reaching level ground I looked out for Tilda Hill Road, heading north from Rt 2. One of the biggest changes in the world of back roads navigation is the improved road signing that has accompanied "enhanced 911" service, as I drove I could see the signs on all the roads that were on my map.
I followed Tilda Hill Road to just beyond the hight of land, where it met Bliss Road, and parked. I left my pack in the car, just taking my newly aquired map, plus my compass, with me. In the event I used neither, but having them gave me a feeling of security.
Right by the telephone pole, exactly as in Trapper Robbins' trip report, I found a trail. There are many signs reminding you that this trail, and those that branch off it, are on private land and requesting you to stay on the trails. These look to me to be a network of snowmobile trails, as there was a sign for a snowmobile club at one of the junctions.
I followed the excellent directions given by Trapper Robbins, and shortly before reaching the first knob found a wind-measuring tower that was not mentioned in his report. I passed by the first knob on the way out, planning to go over it on the way back.
I found a second wind measuring tower before the second summit. The trail does not go over the summit, so I bushwhacked uphill. As I approached the summit the hill got rather flat, but there still was an unmistakable "uphill" direction, and just following it led me to the tree with the cannister.
On the way back I went over the first knob, and followed the trail back to my car. The whole hike took about an hour, it was a pleasant woods walk without too much of a drive. I was back at the motel around 3 PM.
While on the trail I wondered whether the wind measuring towers were the first step towards a wind power generation utility on the ridge. After my return home Google answered the question: alas, they are. I found an article in the Valley Advocate that states:
A few weeks after we stood on the summit of Crum Hill, the voters of Florida approved by a vote of 65-25 a plan to lease town-owned land on the mountain to enXco. The approval set in motion a process in which the company will deliver a full proposal to the town for public comment and a final vote, which may come as soon as mid-summer.
I still had some energy left that evening, and before dark I went
for a walk in the cemetery that was just west of the motel. The
earliest graves are from pre-revoutionary times, and it is still in
use. Lots of old trees, and a gentle hill made it a very peaceful
walk. Next day the motel proprietors told me that it was one of their
favorite walks in town.