For the first time this year we decided to travel for Christmas, and headed up to North Adams for a couple days of hiking and relaxing. We were hoping for mild enough weather to hike Mount Greylock on Christmas Day, and things ended up falling into place perfectly.
We parked on the north side of the mountain and followed a loop suggested on the Mass DCR website (route number six on this page). Every time I’ve been on Greylock has either been as part of a longer multi-day trip on the AT or a quick jaunt up on the Thunderbolt trail, but this route took us on some new-to-us trails.
The Bellows Pipe trail had us initially on doubletrack alongside a beautiful blue reservoir that serves as North Adam’s drinking water supply. As we walked further, the trail became more wild, crossing many streams that flowed down the mountain – sometimes balancing on rocks standing above the icy water, and other times using decrepit makeshift bridges. Cooper was grateful for the opportunities to take a dip and grab a sip.
Nearly to the junction that would lead us to our final ascent, we found ourselves in the clouds with streams frozen and frost heaves crunching underfoot. We turned right to continued on the Bellows Pipe trail, which acts as the Thunderbolt’s uphill route in the winter ski season. Unsurprisingly, no skiers on the mountain today. Deciduous trees slowly disappeared, and we saw a few very festive Fraser firs.
After meeting up with the Appalachian Trail, we made the final push to Greylock’s summit. We enjoyed a few quiet moments at the top with some pastries and snacks, watching the fog roll by.
We’ve both been a bit under the weather lately, and ended up making the call to walk down on the auto road rather than taking the AT north to the car. The three of us danced around the ice on Overlook trail as we cut through to Notch Road for the long walk down. We ended the day tired and happy and full. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend Christmas any other way.
