Hiking Mount Greylock

The first photo is Ms.Margaritte, my Parisian Artist, Hitchhiker and all-around new Egalitarian friend. She and Nola, Amanda and myself set out bright and early Saturday morning to conquer one of the Berkshire's most popular mountains - Mount Greylock. The 3,491-foot peak, also accessible by car, is the highest peak in Massachusetts and offers visitors views of up to 100 miles. That's 4 exhausting miles up and 4 staggering miles down! Nola and Margaritte lead the pack with gusto and energy that I haven't exerted since 18 - proving that both travel and mountain hiking keeps you young. Temperatures remained comfortable (33-35 degrees) pushing us to peel off layers every few hundred feeet.

The newly fallen snow made for a picture-perfect wonderland. Trees, branches, roadsigns, leanto's, everything was coated in a thick white blanket with deep blue skies that stayed sunny all day. A photographers dream. Nearing the summit, the trail slipped into a small narrow path winding through dense pockets of pines and scrubby evergreens. 24 hours ago I was swimming in the warm waters of the Gulf Coast with manatees and now I'm on top of the world. I'm feeling beyond blessed this Easter weekend.

On Memorial day the 1932 Bascom Lodge, built by Civilian Conservation Corps opens for its 75th year. It provides accommodations for 32 people, a quick lunch and an aerial view of North Adams, Williamstown and the several ski resorts in the distance. Click on the photos to go to my flickr set of photos on this hike.