Mount Greylock State Reservation: Jones Nose/Rounds Rock Loop (Blog Hike #959)

Trails: Woodason Spring, Rounds Rock, and Northrop Trails
Hike Location: Mount Greylock State Reservation
Geographic Location: north of Pittsfield, MA
Length: 2.5 miles
Difficulty: 7/10 (Moderate/Difficult)
Date Hiked: September 2023
Overview: A loop hike, sometimes rocky and sometimes muddy, to views from Rounds Rock.
Park Information: https://www.mass.gov/locations/mount-greylock-state-reservation
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=946649
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video: (coming July 12)

Directions to the trailhead: From downtown Pittsfield, take US 7 north 5.7 miles to Greylock Road.  Turn softly right to continue heading north on Greylock Rd.  Drive Greylock Rd. north 1.1 miles to Rockwell Road, which is also Mount Greylock's summit road.  Turn softly left to begin climbing on Rockwell Rd.  Drive Rockwell Rd. 4.3 miles to the Jones Nose Trailhead on your right on Mount Greylock's south face.  Park at this trailhead, where this hike begins.

The hike: Rising to 3491 feet above sea level in Massachusetts' rural northwest corner, Mount Greylock is the highest point in Massachusetts.  The summit is punctuated by the iconic 93-foot tall Veterans War Memorial Tower, which was constructed in 1931-32 to honor veterans of World War I.  A spiral staircase leads to the top of the tower, which on a clear day offers views of 4 states: Connecticut, New York, Vermont, and of course Massachusetts.  Although Mount Greylock is often thought of as part of Massachusetts' Berkshire Mountains, geologically it is part of the Taconic Mountains, which run for 150 miles along New York State's eastern boundary.  The Taconic Mountains offer many other fantastic hiking opportunities including Bash Bish Falls and Mount Equinox; both of those hikes are described elsewhere in this trail journal.

            Since 1898 Mount Greylock has been protected by Mount Greylock State Reservation, which is the oldest wilderness state park in Massachusetts.  True to its wilderness status, most of the mountain is maintained in its natural state, and the park offers only a primitive campground, a 16-mile seasonal summit road, and numerous hiking trails as amenities.  The summit road alternates between steep and relatively flat sections, and it offers summit access from both the south and the north.  Thus, the summit is a very popular place in the summer.

            Several hiking trails lead to Mount Greylock's summit, but all of them are rather steep and primitive.  Thus, I chose the more manageable loop hike described here on the mountain's south flank.  This hike leads to Rounds Rock, which is one of Mount Greylock's many subpeaks.  Therefore, this hike offers nice views and significant distance through mature forest without pegging the difficulty meter.

Woodason Spring Trail leaving Jones Nose Trailhead

            From the Jones Nose Trailhead, pick up the Woodason Spring Trail as it heads south across a sunny meadow that was covered with goldenrod in bloom when I came here in early September.  After crossing the meadow, the trail enters the woods and descends moderately to begin following a tributary of Kitchen Brook.  Powder blue paint blazes now mark the way.  

Leaving the meadow and entering the woods

            When the tributary of Kitchen Brook comes within earshot on the left, the trail reaches a local minimum in elevation and begins climbing.  The damp and dense forest features maple and birch trees with a dense understory that includes ferns.  Some wet areas will be encountered, but short wooden plank bridges get you over the wettest areas.  Overall, the trail is narrow and rooty, and the required careful stepping makes the going slower than you might expect.

Climbing away from Kitchen Brook

            At 0.75 miles, you cross the summit road at the Rounds Rock Trailhead.  This trailhead is an alternate starting point for this hike, but the parking here is not as good as at the Jones Nose Trailhead where this description began.  Now west of the summit road, the trail continues climbing before splitting to form the Rounds Rock Loop.  Continue straight to begin hiking the loop clockwise.

Rocky trail near Rounds Rock

            Soon the trail flattens out but becomes more rocky as you top the summit of Rounds Rock.  The summit of Rounds Rock offers no views, but at 1.1 miles you reach the first of two spur trails that exit left to fantastic viewpoints.  The first viewpoint looks due south down the descending spine of Mount Greylock, while the second viewpoint looks more west toward East Mountain, Beoadic Mountain, and New York State.  Some rocks here make nice places to sit, rest, and enjoy a trail snack near the midpoint of this hike while soaking up the views.

1st Rounds Rock viewpoint

2nd Rounds Rock viewpoint

            Just past the second viewpoint, you reach another trail fork.  Going right would continue around the Rounds Rock Loop, which includes the site of a small plane crash.  This hike turns left to begin a connector trail that leads down to the Northrop Trail, the final leg of this hike.  The descent is gradual at first, but soon you will need to climb down some stone ledges that may require you to use your hands as well as your feet.  These ledges are the hardest part of this hike, so take care while descending.

            At 1.45 miles, you intersect the Northrop Trail, which goes left and right.  Turn right to head back to the Jones Nose Trailhead where you began.  The Northrop Trail descends and then ascends but on gradual grades as it heads the general direction of north.  Several very muddy areas had to be negotiated on my visit, and the Northrop Trail is my least favorite trail on this hike.

Hiking the Northrop Trail

            After passing an interesting pile of large boulders, a gentle climb brings you to within feet of the summit road's shoulder.  Turn right to hike the short spur trail through the meadow that returns you to the Jones Nose Trailhead to complete the hike.  A large ground hog welcomed me back to the trailhead when I did this hike.  Before you leave, you should for sure drive the rest of the summit road up to Mount Greylock's summit.  Not only are the views fantastic on a clear day, but the Veterans War Memorial Tower makes an iconic backdrop for a group photo or a selfie.

Big Dave atop Mount Greylock