Mount Greylock State Reservation Roads Close This Weekend
ADAMS, Mass. — The roads to the summit of Mount Greylock will close this coming weekend for the season.
Bascom Lodge closed earlier this month as well as the campground and its bathrooms, but portable toilet units are available in the summit parking lot until Nov. 2.
The War Memorial Tower will close this Thursday, Oct. 29, at 3 p.m., and, on Friday, Oct. 30, the Notch Road gate on the north side at 1 p.m. and Rockwell Road and the south gates at 3 p.m. All vehicles must be off the mountain by that time.
The Mount Greylock Visitor Center at 30 Rockwell Road in Lanesborough remains open daily year-round from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., except Thanksgiving and Christmas.
The park grounds are open every day from dawn to dusk. Winter camping will not be allowed again this year, while backcountry shelters are a separate use and remain available year-round. The Stony Ledge privy has at times been locked during severe weather because wind damage and vandalism have made it difficult to maintain.
The dates were announced on Wednesday during the Mount Greylock Advisory Council meeting held at the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center.
Deanna Todd, park supervisor, discussed work to repair or rebuild backcountry facilities, including a likely rebuild at Deer Hill to meet size and accessibility needs. She described using lumber from hazard trees and processing other material for firewood for the camps or for those who need heating assistance.
Councilors offered to help connect the Department of Conservation and Recreation with volunteer groups, outdoor clubs, or Eagle Scout projects if people power would be useful.
Chair Heather Linscott said she believed the board needed join with other groups. The members discussed two resources: Mass Parks for All, which was described as an organization that can provide partner groups with technical assistance, advocacy support, and guidance on organizational structure and mission, and the DCR Stewardship Council, a legislatively authorized body with regular meetings, public comment, reports from the commissioner, and a stakeholder subcommittee.
The council did not decide to join Mass Parks for All at this meeting. Instead, a motion passed to discuss joining at the next meeting, giving members time to review the organization and consider its relevance, possibly inviting its executive director to explain what support it could offer.
Council members also reviewed their bylaws, describing its purpose as advising reservation management, commenting on matters affecting Mount Greylock, holding public meetings, and serving as a citizens' advisory group for the Scenic Byway project, which they have not heard about in years.
They wanted to make sure to use that purpose more consistently and make the council's work and meetings more visible by getting word of their meetings out on social media and maybe having more consistent meetings. They also hope for more communication from DCR to the council.
Linscott also mentioned that the Thunderbolt Ski Runners went down Thunderbolt Trail with weed whackers and are planning further work.
It was announced that Trails Supervisor Rebecca Barnes is retiring and council members asked whether her position would be filled after her retirement. Todd said they did not yet know what management would decide, whether it will be a replacement or organizational change.
Todd said there will be a gathering for Barnes on Wednesday, from noon to 3 p.m., at the Visitor Center.
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