Mahanna Cobble(Berkshires)

Headed east to the Berkshires after work this afternoon to hike up to 1896 foot Mahanna Cobble on a pleasant, sunny November day.  Mahanna Cobble is actually the northern summit of Lenox Mountain's long Yokun Ridge, extending all the way down to Bosquet Ski Area in Pittsfield.  Bosquet would be my starting point today, at an elevation of 1130 feet.

I started by heading left onto the Drifter Trail, where I almost immediately began enjoying views back to the north.

Climbing ski slopes.

One nice part of hiking ski slopes are the guaranteed views, and today didn't disappoint.  The views north towards Pittsfield and Mount Greylock were nothing short of spectacular.

Lift chairs and fine views.

The Taconics with Pontoosac Lake to the west/ northwest.

A steep ski run towards the northeast with the peaks(Day, Tully, Warner Hill) of the Appalachian Trail on the horizon.

Beyond the ski slopes sits a TV tower.

A short quarter mile trail south through the woods brings you to Mahanna Cobble.  The trail doesn't go over the summit but instead loops around to a very nice southeast vista.

The view southeast towards the Southern Berkshires.

A look back up at the clearing just below the summit.

I bushwhacked up and over the true, wooded summit and then dropped down to the far west side of the peak in search of views.  Unfortunately I couldn't find any openings in the tree cover, but the bare November woods did offer up very nice screened views out over Mud Pond towards Perry's Peak in the Taconics.

Headed back off Mahanna Cobble towards the Ski Area again, enjoying the marvelous north views.  Nearly all of Pittsfield is visible from this vantage point.

The broad, sweeping view over Pittsfield, with Greylock hovering beyond.

Dropping down the steep slopes in the late afternoon shadows.

Very steep descent.

Got back to the car feeling invigorated by the crisp November air.  Hiked just under 3 miles RT(with a lot of wandering around) with over 800 feet elevation gain.