Description: We left Bennington, Vermont and headed toward Hartford, Connecticut. Our route took us through the western part of Massachusetts whose landscape is dominated by the Taconic Mountains. The Taconic Mountains start in northwest Connecticut and extend through western Berkshire County in Massachusetts. The mountains border the adjacent counties in New York and it follows the state borders of New York and Vermont. In Massachusetts, the Taconic Mountains are commonly grouped with the Berkshires Mountains which it borders to its east. In Vermont, the Taconic Mountains are commonly grouped with the Green Mountains. The Taconic Mountains are its own separate mountain range located within the larger Appalachian Mountain chain.
It is understandable that the Taconic Mountains are confused with the Berkshires since they are located in Berkshire County. Berkshire County has become a very popular tourist destination. It also has become very well known for its emphasis on arts and culture. In North Adams, the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art is the largest contemporary art museum in the United States. It also has become a very popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts. There are plenty of hiking trails, camp sites, water sports, and skiing opportunities which make this area popular all year round.
The Taconic Mountains is also home to Massachusetts highest point, Mount Greylock, which rises 3, 489 feet. The park is open year round from sunrise to dusk for day use recreation. There is a road for automobiles that will take visitors to the summit; however, it is only open from late May until November 1. At the base of the mountain is the Mount Greylock Visitor Center and Park Headquarters. There is a small gift shop inside and they have maps of the area and the summit.
Mount Greylock is also known for its fall foliage. The mountains sit in a transition zone from central hardwoods from the south dominated by oaks to northern hardwoods such as sugar maples. This transition and the changes in elevation and temperatures create a stunning variety of colors. From the top of the summit, views from up to 60 to 90 miles distant can be seen. However, on our particular visit, a storm was approaching and the fog that was in the area gave us about a 100 feet visibility. We still headed up to the summit. At the top of the summit sits the Veterans War Memorial Tower. It was built in 1930 and rises 93 feet into the air. The top of the monument is fixed with a lighted beacon to honor the state’s deceased from World War 1 and subsequent conflicts. It has a nighttime visible range of 70 miles. Also located at the summit is Bascom Lodge built in the 1930’s. It is a rustic and stone lodge built for overnight accommodations for hikers to the summit. It also equipped with a dining room and an enclosed wraparound porch providing breathtaking views of the mountains. It is only open seasonally and reservations are required.
Although we didn’t get to experience the breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, our drive to the summit was still enjoyable and we got to visit another state’s highest point.
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