Turner Trail-Pittsfield State Forest(Berkshires)

Although wind chill temps were in the dangerous levels below zero, I couldn't pass up a chance to do some hiking on a day off. Opted to stay somewhat local and hike the Pittsfield State Forest again, where I had just hiked a few days ago.  Today, I wanted to hike up the Turner Trail, which ascends directly up the steep slopes of Berry Hill and is flanked to the north and south by the Berry Pond Circuit Road.  Finding the trail head can be a bit challenging, but is found on Cross Road near campsite 38, and is marked in blue.

 The trail climbs at a consistent clip, but never overly steep.  As I continued gaining elevation, the Berry Mountain Tower soon came into view through the trees to the south.

 As I passed 2000 feet in elevation, a nice view of 2313 foot Honwee Mountain unfolded to the north.

 Just past the view of Honwee Mountain is an unmarked spur path to the right that leads a few yards to a nice vista to the east over Pontoosuc Lake.

 Much of Pontoosuc Lake is visible just beyond the lower flanks of Honwee Mountain.

 Continuing past the view point, the trail levels out and bends slightly to the southwest, soon arriving at Berry Pond's frozen shoreline.  Berry Pond is significant because it is reputed to be the highest elevation natural body of water in the state.

Continuing past Berry Pond, the blue blazes soon lead to the auto Berry Pond Circuit Road(which is closed for the winter).

 I continued past the road and soon arrived at a great vista to the west over Goodrich Hollow and into New York.

 Retraced my steps back to the circuit road and followed it south to an even better vantage point.  Unfortunately this area was completely open, leaving me fully exposed to the 50+ mph winds, which were painful to the skin.

 Amazing views to the south and west into New York state.

A more direct westerly view into New York.

 Looking directly out over Goodrich Hollow and into New York, near the Columbia County/ Rensselaer County line.

 It was hard to enjoy the great views on Berry Hill because of the dangerous wind chills on the exposed slopes, so I quickly along to the west shore of Berry Pond.

 Opposite Berry Pond is Berry Pond Creek, which drops very steeply west into Goodrich Hollow.

 I continued along the circuit road until turning north onto the Taconic Skyline Trail, which soon lead me to the Berry Mountain tower road.

 There are no views available on the wooded summit of 2203 foot Berry Mountain, just a large microwave tower, which can easily be seen spotted from much of Pittsfield and Lanesborough.

I bushwhacked a short distance off Berry Mountain back down to the Turner Trail, and dropped steeply all the way back down to Cross Road.  I then followed the auto road back to the car at the Lulu Pond parking area, where I enjoyed a nice look at nearly frozen Lulu Brook.  

 Explored much of the State Forest, completing just over 5 miles RT on a bitterly cold day.
Later in the day(back in the warmth of my car), I was lucky enough to capture this sunset over the frozen landscape, just beyond Tannery Pond at the Mount Lebanon Shaker Village. 

Pine Mountain-Pittsfield State Forest(Berkshires)

 Went for a nice hike up 2220 foot Pine Mountain on Friday afternoon in the Pittsfield State Forest, just over the New York state line in Massachusetts.  Got started by parking across from the Ski Lodge in a small lot along Parker Brook.

 After passing a kiosk, the trail begins by crossing a bridge to the west and entering the woods.

 You will soon pass a small pond just downhill on the left of the trail.

 Followed the Hawthorne Trail up for nearly a mile through a mixed forest.

 As you gain elevation, the sounds of Hawthorne Brook can be heard flowing down a steep ravine to your left.

 A well marked bend in the trail.

 With only an inch or so of snow on the ground, the trail had mostly good footing, but there were some slick spots.

 The late afternoon sun breaking through the clouds and the bare winter woods.

 Continuing the ascent up the mountain provides decent views to the east towards Onota Lake through the leafless trees.

 More east facing views.

 A view of an unnamed ridge just to the south as I neared the Pine Mountain Trail.

 After about half a mile on the Pine Mountain Trail and 1.4 miles from the parking lot, I arrived at the wooded summit area of Pine Mountain. Total elevation gain of nearly 1100 feet.

 A stone post marks the 2220 foot summit of Pine Mountain.

 Continuing a bit past the summit to a small ledge, a clear cut provides the best view of the day to the north and west over nearby Tilden Swamp.

 Just beyond the view point is a steep section of trail as it drops down off Pine Mountain's west ridge.

 I followed the Pine Mountain Trail as it winds down towards Tilden Swamp before meeting up with the Parker Brook Trail.  I then followed Parker Brook Trail as it drops steeply down through a ravine to the east.

 Continuing down the steep Park Brook Ravine, passing just beneath the steep slopes of Pine Mountain.

 Near the bottom of the Parker Brook Trail, you get your best glimpse of the babbling brook.  I turned south onto the Vosburg Trail just past this spot, completing a loop back to the Hawthorne Trail, before dropping back down to the car.

Completed a great 3.3 mile RT hike on a relatively mild January day.

Yokun Ridge-North & Windsor Jambs(Berkshires)

Went for a nice walk along the Burbank Trail, which is part of Yokun Ridge in the southern Berkshires this morning.  The trail actually follows a ridge along the southern end of Lenox Mountain and is accessed from a parking lot along Lenox Road known as Olivia's Overlook.  The east facing view of Stockbridge Bowl from Olivia's Overlook is nothing short of spectacular.

 After carefully crossing Lenox Road(use extreme caution) to the north, a kiosk with trail map and historical information is found as you enter the woods.

 The Burbank Trail forms a loop of just over 3 miles, with an option to go clockwise or counter-clockwise.  I chose to go clockwise, and soon came to a nice western viewpoint from a power line cut.

 Continuing north through a mixed forest on a cold winter morning.

 After a little over one mile of hiking, there is a fine man made lookout with great views over the town of Richmond to the west.

The view to the north and east.

 After leaving the vista, the trail soon turns right(east) for a distance.  Just prior to turning right again(south), you will arrive at the remnants of the 19th century Gorman homesite, marked by a stone engraving.

 All that remains from the former 44 acre Gorman homesite are cellar holes are stone walls.

 Crossing puncheon southward on the blue blazed trail.

 Old stone walls indicate former pasture land.

 Shadow Brook, a small stream that flows south near the trail, on its way Monks Pond and continues down the eastern slopes of Lenox Mountain before emptying into Stockbridge Bowl.

Arriving at Monks Pond.  This was the former Shadowbrook Estate's reservoir and got the name Monks Pond during the twentieth century, when a Jesuit order owned the property.

 A small, wooden old building stands in the pond, with strict instructions to keep out.

 Morning sunshine emerging  as I pass a east facing view from the power line cut. 

Completed the full loop, arriving back at Olivia's Overlook for a quiet 3.2 mile RT hike in the woods.

Had a little extra time to do some exploring in the Berkshires, so decided to visit Windsor Jambs in the Windsor State Forest.  Just getting to the Jambs can be a very challenging experience this time of year.  A former(now unmaintained) parking lot is found along gravel Schoolhouse Road in the extreme eastern end of Berkshire County.  Winter is in full effect here, but the gravel road was manageable today.  I was forced to park along the road due to snow and ice elsewhere, and then put my micro spikes on to make my way from there.

 The micro spikes were a god send and it would've been impossible to access this area without them. There is a fence along the steep banks of the brook for safety precautions.

 The incredible view downstream of the gorge.

 Icy Windsor Jambs Brook funnels through the rocky gorge with extreme power.

 A quiet section of the brook, flowing through the winter woods just upstream of the falls.

Windsor Jambs is a beautiful spot in a remote area and highly recommended to anyone in the area.

Back home in the valley, strong snow squalls began blowing though during the afternoon, making it finally begin to feel like winter.  The scene below is from Nassau's village gazebo.