Unnamed Misery Mountain Summit North Rathbun Hollow(Misery Mountain WMA-Berkshires)

Did a short bushwhack hike high up in a remote hollow on the Berkshires side of the Taconic ridgeline along the NY/ Mass state line on a mild winter day.  Parked at the end of the public section of Rathbun  Road(Elevation 1645 feet) and ascended north into a wide open meadow, passing by Mass Wildlife Management Area signage along the way.  There was only about an inch or two of snow here, which made for easy going.

 

Heading up through the open meadow afforded nice views back south to the neighboring ridgeline.

I combined some bushwhacking with following a woods road as I made my way up the steep slopes.  This woods road was wide and in very good condition(possibly the remains of some kind of failed development or private home-before being sold to the state?)

Higher up near the ridgeline, I came across some handsome old stone walls.  This spot was actually very near the NY state line.

Once on the ridge, at over 2300 feet, I found some very good screened views down into Gardner Hollow and NE into Williamstown.  Even at this elevation, there was no more than about 4 inches of snow to contend with.

From the state line, I continued an easy climb west for just over 1/3 of a mile up to the 2543 foot wooded high point on the ridge.  Mild temps were actually melting and condensing the snow, making for a little tougher going up high.

From the high spot, I turned back east, retracing my steps down the ridge to a small but obvious little knob along the way. 

This small knob sat at 2385 feet, and afforded more filtered views north into Gardner Hollow.

On my descent off the ridge, I stumbled upon a small man made pond not far off the woods road.

Back down in the meadow near the road, I found another, larger pond which sat near the very edge of state land high up in Rathbun Hollow.

Just prior to my arrival back at the car, I caught a nice view southeast over to Jiminy Peak's nearby ski slopes.

A beautiful winter day in a quiet little corner of the world.  Covered about 2.5 miles RT, with 900 feet of ascent.

Map Below for reference.    Red P=Parking  Red X=Summit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Misery Mountain's Unnamed Ridge North of George Allen Hollow(Taconic Ridge State Forest, NY)

In the last few years New York State has acquired and preserved thousands of acres in the Taconic Mountains located along the NY/ Mass state line, meaning many more opportunities for exploration close to home.  A large chunk of that land can be found on both the north and south sides of George Allen Hollow Road, connecting to already protected land to both the Berlin State Forest as well as the Taconic Ridge State Forest.  Parking is not allowed along this one lane gravel road, but there are a few spots that you can get a vehicle off the road.  

I parked at the edge of an expansive meadow(Elevation 1350 feet), right below a State Land sign and headed north through the meadow, with spectacular views up to the snow covered Taconic ridge above. Visible here is Misery Mountain, which is actually a long ridge comprised of about a dozen or so summit bumps.  To the right is the newly acquired ridge line that I hope to visit soon.

Above the meadow, I encountered a barbed wire fence, which unfortunately slowed me down a bit as there was no way around it.  Beyond that, navigation was pretty straightforward through an open hardwood forest.  The first few hundred feet of elevation gain were gradual and fairly easy, with no snow at all until some very scattered areas around 1700 feet.  Once on the nose of the ridge, I was able to catch a peek north down into neighboring Mattison Hollow through the trees.

Heading east up the ridge, with snow now lightly covering most of the ground over 1900 feet.  This is a view back west with the Rensselaer Plateau visible through the bare trees.

2000 feet seemed to be the actual snow line, where everything was covered in a coating of white. 

Somebody made themselves comfortable here....a nice, cozy spot where a deer had bedded down the  night before.

A bit higher up the ridge, I stumbled upon a woods road, which I followed up towards the summit.

Nearing the summit in a wintry wonderland.  It actually was quite nice to finally see some snow, as we have been mostly deprived down in the valleys.

Arriving at the 2410 foot summit, where a woods road continues down the other side to the east.

Just off the summit, I found some decent views to the north, high above Mattison Hollow. 

From the woods road, just off the summit, this filtered view takes in the next ridgeline north as well as the main Taconic ridge to the NE.  The snow covered branches only enhanced the vista.

With more time available I would've loved to have explored further, but I had to turn around at the summit, heading back down towards George Allen Hollow.  I utilized woods roads to aid in my descent.

Back down at the car, I took a moment to cross the road and check out the protected ridge south of the Hollow that I hope to explore soon.

Covered a little over 3 miles total, with 1100 feet of ascent.  

Map Below.  Red P=Parking   Red X=Summit