Azalea Fields Pittsfield State Forest

Azalea Fields Group Hike at Pittsfield State Forest June 13th at 10:00 am Parking: Berry Mountain Vista Lot. Main Entrance:  1041 Cascade Street, Pittsfield, MA 01201 continue straight thru the main entrance gate onto Berry Pond Circuit Road, road bears left and up the mountain continue until you see a large vista and parking lot on your right. Hike Rating: Moderate 3.36 miles ridgeline hike with 600 feet of total elevation gain with options for less. Join DCR Interpretive Coordinator Alec Gillman on one of the most beautiful mountaintops to experience the best the Taconic Ridge has to offer…sixty five acres of wild azaleas. Berry Hill named for William Berry, a Revolutionary War veteran who owned land here is filled with the sweet smell of blooms of many varieties of the pink wild flowers and at 2,060-feet, Berry Pond is the highest natural water body in Massachusetts. We will hike the Berry Pond shoreline and then follow the Taconic Crest Trail to Tower Mountain then return on the Pine Mountain Trail to visit Tilden Swamp with its bog vegetation. Our hike will start at the dirt parking lot known as the New York Overlook with commanding views of the Catskills and Albany. Berry Hill is also a well known hawk watching site and many different varieties of wildlife can be seen here at this high elevation. Come explore this hidden gem on the New York Massachusetts border, one of our greatest State Forests filled with the most exciting trails and grand vistas! Please Register per vehicle on https://events.ticketleap.com/events/westernmasshilltownhikers  Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs welcome. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $15.  More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com .  Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring trekking poles and a snack! Want to hike every weekend year round? Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! Get access to our private Messenger Group Text with hike and event announcements that are member exclusive events.  You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here  Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Tees, hoodies, hats, patches, water bottles and safety vests will be for sale by donation at the event.  See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. Donate here: Via our website Western Mass Hilltown Hikers Via Paypal at paypal.me/hilltownhikers  Via Venmo:  @hilltownhikers Via Square: Home | Western Mass Hilltown Hikers (square.site)   GROUP HIKES AND TOURS SINCE 2010 Mission Statement:  Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of historical properties and tours, recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in We...