Situated at the base of Mount Greylock, the tallest mountain in all of southern New England, Greylock Glen Resort consists of 1,063 acres (1,000+ of which are under Article 97 protection) contiguous to the 12,500-acre Mount Greylock State Reservation, the Commonwealth’s flagship state park. Whether you want the challenge of skiing the Thunderbolt, or just want to relax by one of the ponds or waterfalls, you are welcome to visit Greylock Glen.
Hikers, skiers, snowshoers and bicyclists will enjoy the many trails accessible from Greylock Glen. Many of these trails connect to the extensive trail system within the State Reservation, including the Appalachian Trail. Several trails will lead to the summit of Mount Greylock and other peaks within the Reservation. In addition, Greylock Glen boasts beautiful open meadows, ponds, waterfalls and wetlands. Unguided nature walks offer birding, wildlife viewing, rare plants, wildflowers and trees, trees, trees!
At 3,491 feet, Mount Greylock is not only the tallest mountain in Massachusetts but also the tallest in all of southern New England. The 12,500-acre Mount Greylock State Reservation is the oldest wilderness reservation in the Commonwealth. The park spans five towns with the Mt. Greylock summit in Adams. The Reservation includes the state’s only subalpine taiga-boreal forest. Old growth forest including remarkable stands of red spruce up to 120 feet can be seen.
From late May through November 1, you can drive to the summit on the historic and recently restored road, Mount Greylock State Parkway (weather permitting). The views are spectacular from the summit and several other spots along the roads. Two interesting structures dating from the 1930s are found at the summit as well. The Veterans War Memorial Tower was completed in 1932. The recently restored tower stands 93 feet tall, with a beacon that emits a total of 1.9 million lumens – visible from 75 miles under the proper weather conditions. Bascom Lodge, completed in 1938 by the Civilian Conservation Corps, is a rustic lodge built from stone and red spruce from Mount Greylock. Bascom Lodge is open seasonally for dining, lodging and events.
There are more than 50 miles of trails on Mount Greylock including a segment of the Appalachian Trail. Hiking, biking, skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling (on designated trails) are permitted. Nature lovers will enjoy the rare plants, bird watching, waterfalls and wildlife. Park staff offers a full calendar of interpretive programs, guided hikes and other events. The summit is a popular launch area for hang gliders and para-gliders.
The Thunderbolt Ski Trail is the last remaining backcountry Class A ski slope in New England. It runs down the precipitous east face of Mt. Greylock and was originally built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. The trail is renowned for its challenges. In the 1930s and 40s some of the best skiers in America came to compete in races held on the trail. College teams from Dartmouth and Williams challenged local ski clubs and in 1938, Hitler sent a team of world championship skiers from Germany to compete.
In 1998, a movie about the trail was made by local school teacher and historian, Blair Mahar. His film won an award in the 1999 New England Film Festival, First Place, Documentary Category. The title of the movie is Purple Mountain Majesty, A History of the Thunderbolt Ski Run.
Mahar then went on to bring the races back on the Thunderbolt and form a new club called The Thunderbolt Ski Runners. This new club started clearing and maintaining the Thunderbolt Ski Trail each year and brought it back to its original state. They also held several classic races on the trail, which is becoming a popular backcountry destination for skiers. For information about the restored Thunderbolt Ski Run and the Ski Runners of Adams please visit the Thunderbolt Ski Runners website.
For a comprehensive view of all that Adams has to offer for residents, visitors, and businesses please visit ExploreAdams.com.
