Southern Massachusetts

Hike Name: Southern Massachusetts Location: southwest MA Length: 25 Submitted by: Peter Smith Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Massachusetts trail reviews Massachusetts national parks Massachusetts state parks
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Description
This was a 3 day (2 night) hike I took with my 12-year-old son midweek during the summer of 2004. We actually began 7.2 miles south of the state line, where the Trail intersects US44, east of Salisbury. It begins with easy hiking between 44 and State Highway 41. Very lush vegetation when we went through.
After crossing Rt.41, we immediately began the climb up to Lion's Head and Riga Lean-to. I hear beautiful things about Riga as an overnight, but we pressed on (only 4.1 miles to Riga). We summited Bear Mountain 6 miles into the day's hike, and the descended to Sage's Ravine campsite. this is a beautiful, expansive site, very clean with a manager who is on-site (occasionally: we missed him). In retrospect, I would have pressed on to to the Bear Rock Stream campsite, because the next mile provides some wonderful swimming hole opportunities, especially at the end of a long, hot day. When we saw them the next morning, it was just the wrong time.
The second day is the charm of this trip: Race Mountain provides the most scenic hiking I can ever remember. It is a beautiful ridge for well over half of a mile. Mt. Everett, though higher, does not have as clear a view (the fire tower that some publications still list was torn down a few years ago: the cement footings are still there). While my son and I hiked the rest of the day to Jug End road and found some space to camp with the to some people who live near the Trail, I would recommend using the Glen Brook Shelter.
This would leave 10.8 miles for the next day (we had left a car at Homes Road, past Sheffield), but most of those miles are very flat, and therefore, quick. Another option would be to end at Rt. 7. Just north of the Crossing is a plant nursery, where they also sell snacks, ice cream, and cold drinks. Beautiful space, very enjoyable hiking.

Directions to Hike
South point: From Salisbury, CT, proceed East on US44.

North Point: From Great Barrington, MA, go south on US 7. Note AT crossing just south of nursery. turn Left on Kellogg St. Turn left at the Junction of Kellog Road and Boardman Street. Turn right at end of Boardman onto Homes Road. AT Crossing parking on Left.

Contact Information
Mt. Everett State Park
East St.
Mt. Washington, MA
(413) 528-0330

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