Best Easy Day Hikes Berkshires by Jim Bradley & Globe Pequot Press

Author:Jim Bradley & Globe Pequot Press
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: FalconGuides, best easy day hikes series, day hikes, hiking, hikes, hiking trails, day hikes, wilderness, national forest, national parks, wildlife, nature
Publisher: Falcon Guides
Published: 2013-11-25T00:00:00+00:00

Finding the trailhead: From exit 2 off I-90 (Mass Pike) in Lee, take US 20 west for 4.3 miles. Turn left onto MA 183/Walker Street. In 2.6 miles, turn right onto Richmond Mountain Road. Richmond Mountain Road becomes Lenox Road after 0.9 mile. Continue on Lenox Road for 0.5 mile. Trailhead parking is at Olivia’s Overlook. GPS: N42 21.109' / W73 20.263'

The Hike

The Burbank Trail starts at the map kiosk across Lenox Road from the Olivia’s Overlook parking area. The hike is marked with red trail markers. Turn right at the junction, following the sign for Monks Pond and traveling the loop in a counterclockwise direction.

The trail is carved into the hillside and follows the lower edge of the Yokun Ridge. At 0.9 mile, pass Monks Pond by keeping straight at the junction; Monks Pond will be to your right. The trail crosses an old stone wall. From the late 1700s into the early 1800s much of this land was cleared to feed the fires required for the iron industry. Stone walls like this one are scattered throughout New England and are a result of land clearing. Most stone walls were used for either property boundaries or animal fencing.

Turn left at the junction with Old Baldhead Road to stay on Burbank Trail. Just after starting the climb, pass the cellar hole of the 1800s John Gorman homestead. As you come to the top of the climb, keep left to continue along the top of the ridge.

At 2.1 miles, a very short spur trail takes you to the Burbank Trail Monument and a nice scenic overlook offering westerly views into the town of Richmond. Continue southwest along the top of the ridge. The trail descends, passing through a clearing made for power lines. Wintergreen and mountain laurel grow in this open space. Continue straight at the junction, closing the loop, to make your way back to the trailhead and parking area at Lenox Road.

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