Ragged Mountain

Ragged Mountain Group Hike Saturday September 26th at 10:00 am Directions and Parking: At the Greylock Glen, 165 Gould Road, Adams, MA 01220 or along Thiel Road; there is also parking at the intersection of Gould Rd and Thiel Road at the Greylock Glen. Meeting place is at the junction of Thiel and Gould Road to start the hike. Hike Rating: Difficult.  1,300 feet of elevation and 5 miles in and back to the first lookout. Option to continue to the talus cave and Ravens Rock for a 6.5-mile hike in and back. Take a hike on the less traveled path to the infamous Ragged Mountain a favorite destination in the fall for those who can follow GPS. For many reasons this hike is considered difficult for most. We will offer a shorter version to the first lookout for those ready for a hardy hike. The mountain was once known as “Ravenscrag,” The rugged and rocky terrain is the mountain’s most distinctive feature and likely inspired its current name. An early Greylock Commission report described Ravenscrag as “an interesting geological study,” and its steep drop-offs and uneven terrain still set it apart from its neighbors. The base of these outcroppings features several sizable caves. A worthwhile and challenging climb it’s one of our favorites. It sits on the east side of the Greylock Massif, which is a subrange of the Taconic Mountains. Along the trail, a rocky outcropping near the summit provides a stunning vantage point with an outstanding view of Mount Greylock and the War Memorial Tower. There are also some dramatic outcroppings on the north side of the mountain known as “Raven’s Rocks” Local lore claims that the Bellows Pipe Trail, which leads to Ragged Mountain, is haunted by the spirit of a hermit—a Civil War veteran from North Adams who lived in a makeshift shelter somewhere nearby the trail and reportedly died alone. Skiers descending the Thunderbolt Trail have even claimed to see his apparition near the intersection of Thunderbolt and Bellows Pipe, in the Greylock Glen. 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....