By Tim Kane, Times Union, link to original post
About 30 miles from Albany, Berlin Mountain is the tallest peak in the four-county region(The
Peak Experiences
11th highest county high point according to the guidebook “Peak Experiences – Hiking the Highest Summits in NY, County by County”). At nearly 3,000 feet, most of the 4-mile ascent is at a 10-percent grade or more, a tough aerobic workout seemingly so far away yet only 45 minutes by car from the stairs of New York’s capitol.
Imagine moving up and down on a Stairmaster and balancing on a stability plank for a few hours at the gym and you’ll get a sense of what the trail is like. At the bald top, a panorama of Greylock Mountain — Massachusetts’ highest peak — the Hudson River Valley and the lower Adirondacks, is a sweet bonus.
The Berlin Mountain trail is a part of the Taconic Crest Trail, which weaves its way along the border of New York, Massachusetts and Vermont, from Pittsfield to Pownal, offering an enticing range of hiking experiences often overlooked by those heading north or south to the Adirondacks or Catskills.
You might find longer trails and higher peaks in those ranges, but it’s hard to beat the Taconic trail’s proximity, accessibility and solitude. When the days are the longest you can leave work in the late afternoon, traverse Petersburgh Pass en route to the noteworthy “snow hole” and be back before sunset.
While the 35-mile trail is relatively flat, since it’s on the ridge of the bulbous north-to-south mountains, it’s noted for its short, sharp grades connecting access points to the higher elevations. But there are plenty of easier sections, too. With a little planning, you’ll find what you’re looking for.
New this year is a set of colorful topographical maps that make researching often difficult-to-find access points much easier. A trail guide has been available for several years. Both can be purchased at The Bookhouse at Stuyvesant Plaza or by contacting the Taconic Hiking Club.
“It’s so close and really quiet,” said Colin Campbell, a longtime member of the club. “One of the reasons it’s been under the radar is that its jurisdiction is covered by three states. During the past several years there has been a concerted effort by us and state officials to maintain the trails, improve access and provide better marking.”
The trail has been around for years, but its modern life began when advocates whacked overgrown sections decades ago. With more attention these days, trail conditions are generally very good, particularly with the state Department of Environmental Conservation strictly enforcing rules against illegal ATV use.
“They can dig up ruts and keep the trail wet and muddy,” Campbell said of the motorized vehicles. “So it’s been a priority.” Five trips this year and last revealed very little damage, or obstacles, like downed trees. With all the rain this year, there were some muddy spots, but that’s probably due to the trail’s heavy shade, one of its attributes. Off the Potter Mountain Road access, a blistering hot summer day last year was at least 10 degrees cooler.
The Taconic’s heavy overgrowth makes it feel more secluded than its distance from area cities would suggest. Some of its trails are quite remote, with moose and bear sightings reported lately now that more registries are at trail heads for Mattison and Robison Hollows along Misery Mountain, a more southern portion straddling New York and Massachusetts. It’s the most remote of all.
The most popular and easiest trail head to find is the “snow hole” at the Petersburg Pass. On Route 2 at the pass’ apex, parking is plentiful and there’s hardly any steepness since you drive the climb. With thick cover, views are limited with a just a handful of openings, but the real attraction is the unique geological feature. Given its cover and descent into a small, cave-like crevice, snow often survives the entire year. While you can venture down its shaft, it’s a rather steep decline that needs careful attention.
For an easy hike, intersect the northern reaches of the trail moving west from Williamstown, or continue north several miles from the “snow hole” and walk the Hopkins Memorial Forest, a former farming area now preserved as open space serving as an “experimental” ecological outpost stewarded by Williams College.
Here an abundance of plants and wildlife like the black-throated blue warbler and the rare pileated woodpecker, thrive. The flat walk is enhanced by Buxton Farm, an interpretive site illustrating the 2,400 acres’ transition from cultivation to classroom. Another neat feature about the trail is how a daytime trek can be augmented by nighttime culture. Depending on what section you chose, you can comfortably cover miles outdoors and then take in the symphony at Tanglewood, a play at the Williamstown Theater Festival, or an art exhibit at the Clark Art Institute with accommodations for a change of clothes.
Often overshadowed by other area mountain ranges, the Taconic Crest Trail is a perfect little getaway spot for outdoor enthusiasts looking for nature in less strenuous terms not far from home.
