Ramble on Oct.10By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Tuesday, October 04, 2005
Adams – Choose shoes wisely.
The traditional Columbus Day Mount Greylock Ramble is set for Oct. 10 at the Cheshire Harbor Trail at the base of the state’s highest peak. The “ramble†does not post an official start time but hikers are urged to wait for daylight before navigating the trail.
The hike to Mount Greylock’s summit is a regional tradition, and the first 100 hikers to reach the trail’s end and register at the Bascom Lodge will receive ramble sweatshirts. Certificates of accomplishment will be awarded to the first 2000 hikers who reach the summit and register at the lodge.
Shuttle Service
Parking at the trail’s starting point is very limited, and a free shuttle bus will offer transportation to and from the trail beginning at 8 a.m., said Haley Meczywor, chairwoman of the hike’s sponsor, the “Our Town of Adams-Events Planning Committee.â€
The shuttle service is scheduled to pick up hikers at the Adams Free Library at McKinley Square [the north end of Park Street, across from Val’s Variety Store] throughout the morning. The last bus for hikers heading to the trail to start the hike will leave at 1 p.m.; the last bus for hikers returning to the town’s downtown after the hike will leave the Cheshire Harbor Trail starting point at 4 p.m..
No parking will be permitted along West Mountain and Gould roads.
Hikers are asked to park at the Depot Street parking lot near the Berkshire Visitors Center and access the shuttle service.
Be Advised....
The ramble is considered to be a “relatively easy hike,†but the trail is rocky and may be wet. Waterproof, sturdy footwear is recommended. Hikers should also be aware that air temperatures can vary by up to 30 degrees from the trail base to the summit, with much chillier temperatures likely in place at the summit.
Ramble participation is free. The first hiker to reach the summit will receive “special recognition,†as will the youngest hiker to make the climb under their own power, the oldest hiker to complete the hike, and the hiker who traveled the farthest for the event. Food and drink, souvenirs, sweatshirts and t-shirts will be sold and 50/50 raffle tickets will be available for purchase.
Horses and recreational vehicles are not permitted on the hike and all pets must be leashed at all times. No use of the Greylock Glen property is permitted, and all hikers are advised to use only the Cheshire Harbor Trail for the ramble. Hiking any other trails, including the “Thunderbolt Ski Trail†and the “Landslide†is being strongly discouraged for safety reasons.
Pre-Ramble Family Day
The Town Hall lawn is set to host an Oct. 9 pre-ramble family day from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m..
DJ Benny Ben and the Patrick Gray-J.P. Murphy Band is scheduled to offer musical entertainment, and hay rides, a farmer’s market, a camping demonstration, a family-oriented nature education session, face painting and an “Art on the Green†exhibition are among the planned activities.
A free showing of the films “Purple Mountain Majesty†and “Our Town, Our People†is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the auditorium of the C.T. Plunkett elementary school on Commercial Street. Free refreshments will be available during an intermission.
Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 802-823-9367.
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