Basin Pond(Berkshires)

Kalli and I got out for a nice hike today at Basin Pond in the town of Lee in the southern Berkshires.  The Berkshire Natural Resources Council(BNRC) has owned and managed the property since 1992.  Access is 4.1 miles east on Route 20 from the town of Lee and .3 miles north on quiet Becket Road.

 A kiosk with trail maps and property description is located a very short distance beyond the parking area.

 There are many small streams that flow down the steep slopes of the property, which today were mostly snow and ice covered however.

Part of the trail wanders quietly through hemlocks and mixed conifers.  

 After about half a mile you arrive at a trail junction where a right leads to an upper loop trail and left takes you on a lower loop.

 Kalli always makes my days so much better.

 The trail was mostly broken in, making for a nice, easy snowshoe hike through mixed woods.

 There are many large boulders scattered throughout the woods and along the trail.

 A screened view of the pond through the bare winter trees.

 A spur trail leads down to an old dam with a view of the pond.  Here is a panoramic view of Basin Pond from the 1960's dam.

The view east of Basin Pond from the overlook.

 The lower loop trail follows the steep north slopes above the pond.

 Peek a boo!

 Private residences are located along the south side of the pond and can be seen from the trail.

 Old school and newer model snowshoes.

Felt great getting out on a partly cloudy day in the Berkshires.  Hiked a total of 3.1 miles on all the trails at the property.