TRAIL MIX: Hiking Cheshire Cobbles

 

The overlooked jewel of cheshire cobbles in Cheshire, Massachusetts, is one of the highlights of the Appalachian Trail’s passage through the Berkshires. The romantic summit at the end of this moderate one-mile ascent provides great views and a stunning picnic spot. There is one bummer to this trek, however: there’s no sanctioned parking at the trailhead. Hikers have been known to leave a vehicle at the trailhead without incident, but the official rules specify parking at the post office half a mile away.

 

Coming into Cheshire on Route 8, turn east at the light in the center of town. The post office is about a quarter mile down on the right. On foot (or bicycle, if you’ve really planned ahead), proceed east, continuing straight when Main Street veers left. Turn right immediately onto Furnace Hill Road, and continue up the hill to the trailhead.

 

The trail ascends continually but gently, a series of sweeping S-turns through a pleasant forest with a fern-covered floor. Keep an eye out for the double-white blazes marking the trail’s change in direction: it’s not hard to navigate, but the trail crosses four logging roads, so pay attention. Near the summit, cliffs and rock tumbles begin to reveal themselves, giving the impression that one is climbing a massive rock pile. After passing under the cliffs, look for blue blazes marking the spur trail leading to the summit outcropping.

 

Tremendous views of Mount Greylock and the Hoosic River valley open up from the summit. Industry and domesticity cling to the river bottom and lower slopes, but the once denuded hillsides rising up from the valley are now mostly furred with forest. Much of the land in view is conserved or self-protected for the time being. This landscape, away from the bottomland anyway, is as close to wilderness as anywhere in the Berkshires.

 

The roundtrip from the trailhead can be completed easily in an hour, though explorers might wish to continue south on the Appalachian Trail toward Dalton, Massachusetts. This section of the trail suffered from the December 2008 ice storm, however, and may not be completely free of obstructions until later in the season. (MAY 2009)

Tad Ames is president of Berkshire Natural Resources Council.

 

 

THE GOODS

Appalachian Trail
www.amcberkshire.org