#hikethehilltowns with us!
South Yokun Ridge, West Stockbridge
June 22nd @ 10:00 am
Parking: High Road Lot at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, North Gate House, #35
Richmond Mountain Road, Lenox 01240.
Hike Rating: Moderate approx. three mile loop with uneven footing and elevation changes.
When the early settlers came to the Berkshires, they brought with them a desire to farm and create industry from the forests that covered the land. Industry such as charcoal for iron ore production, oak for barrels, chestnut for construction, oak bark and hemlock for tanning of skins and wood for heating the new homes that were built and also hydropower from its many streams to power gristmills and saw mills, these industries and farming lead to deforestation. In the mid-1800’s three quarters of New England’s forests were cleared. Iron Mining proved to be good business but also stripped the land, there were 17 iron mines in operation in 1825, most located on the the Western side of the Yokun Ridge. This ore went to Richmond Furnace. We will travel the Charcoal Trail starting on the High Road to discover the natural history of the Yokun Ridge and how the forest has regrown since the early 1900’s. Hike is a three mile loop including a stop at Olivia’s Overlook with views of Stockbridge Bowl.
Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided. Well behaved dogs allowed. Event is volunteer lead. Suggested donation is $10. More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com . Please email [email protected] or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions. As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring hiking poles!
Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here
For more hike information email: [email protected] or call/text 413-302-0312. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Meetup, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, Threads and Twitter (X). Tees, hoodies, hats, patches and photos will be for sale at the event. Our free catalog of printed hiking maps will be there too. 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
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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 recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts. We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532245
NEW! Become a Hilltown Hiker Member! You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here: https://westernmasshilltownhikers.com/product/membership/
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Liability Waiver: As a condition of your
voluntary participation in this activity, you
acknowledge and agree to the following: this
activity involves inherent risks that can cause
property damage, injury, illness, disability,
and/or death to participants and/or others;
you assume all risk associated with this
activity; you are responsible for having the
necessary knowledge, skills, abilities,
clothing, and equipment to safely participate
in this activity; you know and will follow the
Hiker Responsibility Code described at
www.hikesafe.com;.the leader(s) of this
activity are volunteers; and you for yourself,
your heirs, executors, and administrators
release, hold harmless, and indemnify the
leader(s) and all members of this group from
any and all claims for property damage,
injury, illness, disability, and/or death -
including those caused by negligence and/or
other reasons.
