Road Repair Halts HikeBy Jen Thomas
05:52PM / Monday, August 27, 2007
ADAMS - Ongoing construction of the three roads leading to the peak of the state's highest mountain have forced the cancellation of the Mount Greylock Ramble this Columbus Day, ending the annual event's 41-year streak.
"There's just no way to get up the roads this year," said Myra Wilk, a member of the Adams Events Planning Committee on Monday.
The 3.3-mile hike annually attracted thousands of visitors to the area but repairs to Rockwell, Summit and Notch roads have closed the mountain to the public for the 2007 and 2008 seasons. Stony Ledge, a promontory at the peak, and campgrounds are only accessible to hikers.
Wilk said the necessary emergency vehicles for the Ramble would be unable to climb the mountain, which poses a safety issue.
"With so many people, there's no way of controlling what goes on at the top," she said.
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts will still hold its annual Mount Greylock hike for incoming freshman at orientation on Sept. 2. The hike traditionally ends at the peak and students ride a bus back to the bottom but this year, they will have to walk down the mountain.
An Outdoor Alternative
Though the Ramble is canceled, the town still plans to host activities during the holiday.
"There's always been an event to bring people to Adams and we really wanted an event that would include the natural aspect of the Berkshires," said Wilk.
This year, the committee and the Western Massachusetts Athletic Club will present the 1st annual George Coope Memorial Road Race. The event honors former community leader George E. Coope, who died in June, and features three options for racers - a 5K (3.1 miles), a 10K and a mile-long walk through the downtown.
"We wanted to come up with something outdoorsy and those who knew George have a chance to come and celebrate and reflect," said Wilk.
The flat race will begin and end at the Mill Street Picnic Grounds, a place Wilk said Coope helped revitalize. A picnic will be held after the road race, featuring live entertainment from one of Coope's favorite local bands, Champagne Jam.
Even the 5K course is a dedication to Coope.
"Part of the course we've chosen [along North Summer Street] is where George used to run," said Wilk.
Though the road race will be held in the place of the Ramble this year, the event is not a replacement, according to Wilk. When the mountain roads reopen in 2009, the hike and road race will both be part of weekend festivities in town.
"In two years, we'll make it a full weekend and do both events," said Wilk.
Wilk said the committee recognizes that the road race won't be as big a draw as the Ramble, but they hope people will still come out to celebrate.
"They're different kinds of crowds for the two events," she said. "We just hope people at least do the walk."
To participate in the Monday, Oct. 8, event, • Click Here for printable entry form and return to the Events Planning Committee, 8 Park St., Adams, MA 01220.
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