Exploring Ragged Mountain/ Raven Rocks(Mount Greylock State Reservation-Berkshires)

Picture perfect summer conditions accommodated me on a fun bushwhack/ trail hike on the east side of the Mount Greylock State Reservation in the Berkshires after work this afternoon.  I started from the barriers on Thiel Road(part of Greylock Glen) in the town of Adams at an elevation of about 1180 feet.

I did a quick loop on one of the Greylock Glen trails which offered up a spectacular view of Greylock's east face from an open field.

Back on Thiel Road, I stayed on it until the end, passing over a small, pretty stream on my way to the Thunderbolt Trail.

Almost immediately upon hitting the Thunderbolt Trail, I left it, heading straight up the steep slopes of Ragged Mountain.  The rock formations were absolutely incredible in some sections. 

A typical stretch of buswhack through open hardwoods.  I startled a black bear out of a tree at one point, as he leaped down in front of me, quickly darting away into the forest.  This was quite a rush.

My bushwhack was steadily steep, gaining over 1350 feet in about 1.3 miles.  Once hitting the summit cone, I ran smack dab into the trail, which brought me to a nice vista of Mount Greylock, nearly 1000 feet above.

Upon leaving the summit area, I picked up the unmarked herd path which heads northeast towards an area known as Raven Rocks.  The herd path is very well defined and easy to follow most of the way, but does seem to fade away to nothing in a couple of spots.  I easily found my way, anyway, over to the rock ledges that make up Raven Rocks.

Raven Rocks, where the views to the east begin to unfold. 

From this vantage point, Greylock's summit is still visible, but a bit further away, and somewhat hidden by Ragged's summit bump.

The views to the east towards the town of Adams are outstanding from here.  Although over 1000 feet lower than Greylock, they are nearly every bit as good as the views from the top.

The huge quarry at Specialty Minerals stands out, as does the Hoosac Range further to the east.  The power line cuts up the range heading into the Savoy State Forest area.

A zoom view towards the ponds at Greylock Glen.

The town of Adams sprawling out below.

After soaking in the views from Raven Rocks, I continued northeast along a good herd path, which stays on the long, bumpy ridgeline of Ragged Mountain.  I soon came to another series of rock ledges, smaller than Raven Rocks, but still quite impressive.  The view here is north towards one of the other small bumps on Ragged's ridge. 

The north view towards the large mass of East Mountain.

A look back towards Greylock, with Mount Fitch to the north now becoming much more visible.

The open rock on the second small summit bump on Ragged beckoned me.

A look at some of the rock ledges along the way.

A good herd path continued up to the second summit bump, where the open rock on top was the best yet.

I was completely floored with the wide open area to explore as well as the incredible views.

From the open rock, the views east began to open up again.

The jaw dropping rock ledges on Ragged's second summit bump.  To say I was surprised would be an understatement.  Mount Williams can be seen in the distance.

Ragged Mountain and Raven Rocks from the second summit bump.

Mount Williams sitting just to the northwest across a deep valley.  Pine Cobble and some smaller peaks in Vermont can be seen on the horizon.

Soaking in the views from a lower ledge. This is another look south at Ragged's true summit, and Greylock beyond.

A closer look at Mount Greylock's summit.

I decided to continue on to a third summit bump, but found no herd paths anymore.  I had to swing around a couple of steep cliff bands, but had no issues making my way through the mostly open woods.

The third summit bump to the north, provided even better views over Mount Williams shoulder to the northwest, with Pine Cobble rising beyond.

The sprawling vista from the third summit, with a shoulder of Mount Williams(L), East Mountain(center), and yet another summit bump on Ragged(R).

As much as I would've loved to continue exploring Ragged's magical summit ridges, I unfortunately had to turn back.  The late start and growing shadows were beginning to catch up to me.  Instead of ascending and descending all of Ragged's ridgeline bumps, I opted to bushwhack straight down, heading southeast.  It was a very steep drop.

Luckily, about halfway down the mountain, I picked up a good herd path which was heading in the direction I wanted to go, so I followed it.

Once off the steep parts of the mountain, I once again left the herd path, crossing through a magical woodland on my back towards Thiel Road.

Arrived back at the car, with about a half hour of daylight to spare.  A fun day in the woods, with about 6.5 miles RT and over 1700 feet elevation gain.