We broke camp early at 6 a.m., ready to take on the climb up Mt. Greylock. The ascent was long and strenuous—3.4 miles of steady climbing—but step by step we made it.
When we finally reached the summit, the views took my breath away. I didn’t climb the memorial tower, but I wandered the grounds like a tourist, soaking in the moment. Sadly, the lodge was closed, but fortune smiled when we stopped by the TV station nearby. The kind workers there let us use the restroom and even shared protein bars to help fuel our hike—a little trail magic right at the top of Massachusetts.
Mt. Greylock is not only the highest peak in the state but also one of the tallest in the Taconic Range. Its summit is marked by a 93-foot-tall lighthouse-style tower, built in 1931 as a war memorial. The wide grassy area is dotted with benches and paths, inviting visitors to pause and take in the sweeping landscapes.
From the summit, you don’t even need to climb the tower to enjoy incredible views: to the northeast, Mount Monadnock rises out of southern New Hampshire; to the west, the Catskills stretch across New York; and to the north, the Taconic Range and Vermont’s Green Mountains roll endlessly.
After a good rest at the summit, we pushed on and made our way to Father Tom Campsite in the town of Cheshire. It turned out to be one of the nicest stops so far—plenty of open space, water, electricity, and even bikes for hikers to ride into town.
Unfortunately, most of the restaurants had already closed by the time we settled in. Dinner ended up being a trail classic: three tuna packs with noodles. It might not sound glamorous, but after the long climb, it tasted perfect. A quick shower, a full stomach, and I was more than ready for sleep.
Ava Outdoor Adventures 🏔 