Skip the gym. Who needs the crowds, stale air and muscle heads? I’m not suggesting you become a couch potato, but here in the hills, we have alternatives.
On Wednesday afternoon, an early summer day like you read about, I decided to hit the trail rather than the gym. I headed for the Roaring Brook/Stony Ledge loop, where I could get a good workout and an eyeful of nature. By 5:30 p.m. I was out of khakis, into cargos and on my way.
The Roaring Brook trailhead is located about half a mile south of the Four Corners on Rt. 7. Travel down Roaring Brook Road a short way, and then park in a little lot just before the Mt. Greylock Ski Club property begins.
The beginning of the trail takes you along the brook (which babbles, possibly laughs, but never actually roars). You cross the water several times, over plank bridges. Initially, the path has a “nature trail†kind of feel, with man-made wooden and rock steps along with the bridges.
After about ten minutes of walking, the real fun begins. The Stony Ledge Ski Trail, which is marked with a sign, branches to the left and the climb is on. Actually, it’s not that bad, a steady incline with a rocky footing. As you get further up the trail, though, it gets harder, with some pretty steep sections. It’s a trail that makes you feel alive, climbing into the forest, never far from the sound of running water. And it’s a much better workout than the gym; great cardio and leg muscle building (just curl a couple of rocks as you walk if you want the full body workout).
By the way, last week I picked up a little electronic thing in the drug store for $3.50 that is supposed to keep mosquitoes away. It clips on like a key chain and emits a high-pitched sound that says something in mosquito language that mosquitoes do not want to hear. Bottom line is, I didn’t get bit. I’m not convinced though; maybe they just weren’t biting that day. If it works, we should build a giant one on top of Greylock and send the mosquitoes hightailing to Vermont or Albany County.
The climb to Stony Ledge takes about an hour, including a few water breaks. The summit kind of sneaks up on you as you trudge uphill through thick woods. The view at the top is dazzling, looking across the Hopper to the Mt. Greylock summit. There are tables for picnicking and rock ledges that are perfect for hours of gazing, reading – whatever.
I have to admit, though, that when I got to Stony Ledge on Wednesday, a U-Haul Truck, emblazoned with “moving made easier,†loomed in front of me, kind of ruining the moment. I have no idea who would drive a U-Haul up Sperry Road to Stony Ledge but someone did. I wanted to smack them; I mean I don’t mind seeing people on the trail, but a U-Haul seemed a but much.
Anyway, I ignored the orange truck and spent some quality time on the rocks. I wanted to complete the loop, rather than return the way I came, so I headed down Sperry Road. The walk’s about one mile down to where the Roaring Brook Trail enters on the right – takes you past some great campsites. Most are set about 50 feet off the road, with little parking spaces for vehicles. This keeps the cars out of the woods and allows more seclusion for campers.
By the time I got to the Roaring Brook Trail, however, I was glad to get back to the woods. Too many damn signs on the road, announcing campsites, rules and directions. “Carry out what you carry in,†“Dogs must be leashed,†“Primitive facilities only,†“No campfires in Hopper Wilderness Area.†It was getting a little loud. I blamed the U-Haul people. Once I got back to the woods, though, things quieted down nicely.
The return via Roaring Brook is sweet. It takes you through lush, close woods that give everything a muffled hush. It’s kind of mysterious. The downhill trip seems easier than the uphill at first, but it’s challenging. Going downhill is tough on the knees and you have to choose your footing carefully. It’s not that bad, though, and it’s safe walking even for kids.
The hardest part of the trip is over when you see the entrance to the Stony Ledge trail on the right, and the loop is complete. This is a great afternoon hike. Mountain maven Lauren Stevens has a more extensive loop mapped out that takes you through the Hopper, up to the Greylock summit and back again, but that will take you an entire afternoon.
I finished the Stony Ridge/Roaring Brook loop in about two-and-one-half-hours, with plenty of time for looking around. It’s nice to skip the gym and not feel a bit guilty.
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Berkshire Food Project Closed for Power Issues
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Berkshire Food Project is closed Monday because of a power outage early in the morning.
"We are unable to get proper electricity and heat to the building," according to Executive Director Matthew Alcombright. "We hope that this can be resolved and be open tomorrow."
The project does have some sandwiches and frozen meals that will be distributed at the entry.
The city has lifted a boil water order — with several exceptions — that was issued late Monday morning following several water line breaks over the weekend. click for more
The bridge had been closed to all vehicle traffic since March 2023 after being deemed structurally deficient by the state Department of Transportation. click for more
