Shaker Mountain

Last updated
Shaker Mountain
Highest point
Elevation 1,835 ft (559 m)
Coordinates 42°26′45″N73°20′13″W / 42.4459174°N 73.3370518°W / 42.4459174; -73.3370518 Coordinates: 42°26′45″N73°20′13″W / 42.4459174°N 73.3370518°W / 42.4459174; -73.3370518 [1]
Geography
Location Berkshire County, Massachusetts, U.S.
Parent range Taconic Mountains
Topo map USGS Pittsfield West
Geology
Age of rock Ordovician
Mountain type Thrust fault; metamorphic rock and sedimentary rock
Climbing
Easiest route Shaker Trail

Shaker Mountain,1,835 feet (559 m), is a prominent peak in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. The mountain is located in Pittsfield State Forest and is named after the nearby Hancock Shaker Village, a former Shaker religious colony and now a historic site. The summit is wooded and is traversed by the 5 mi (8.0 km) Shaker Trail, a loop trail that begins at the historic site. The mountain is wooded with northern hardwood tree species.

Taconic Mountains

The Taconic Mountains or Taconic Range are a physiographic section of the larger New England province and part of the Appalachian Mountains, running along the eastern border of New York State and adjacent New England from northwest Connecticut to western Massachusetts, north to central western Vermont. The range includes notable summits such as Mount Equinox and Mount Greylock, the highest point in Massachusetts. Currently local residents, consistent with the prominent 19th century geologist, T. Nelson Dale, consider the Mount Greylock Massif as a subsidiary of the main Taconic Range to the west.

Massachusetts State of the United States of America

Massachusetts, officially the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, is the most populous state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It borders on the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island to the south, New Hampshire and Vermont to the north, and New York to the west. The state is named after the Massachusett tribe, which once inhabited the east side of the area, and is one of the original thirteen states. The capital of Massachusetts is Boston, which is also the most populous city in New England. Over 80% of Massachusetts's population lives in the Greater Boston metropolitan area, a region influential upon American history, academia, and industry. Originally dependent on agriculture, fishing and trade, Massachusetts was transformed into a manufacturing center during the Industrial Revolution. During the 20th century, Massachusetts's economy shifted from manufacturing to services. Modern Massachusetts is a global leader in biotechnology, engineering, higher education, finance, and maritime trade.

Pittsfield State Forest

Pittsfield State Forest is an 11,000-acre (4,500 ha) Massachusetts state forest located in the town of Pittsfield and managed by the Department of Conservation and Recreation. The forest is the location of Berry Pond, which sitting atop Berry Mountain at an elevation of 2,150 feet (660 m) is the highest natural body of water in the state.

Shaker Mountain is located within Hancock, Massachusetts. The Taconic ridgeline continues north from Shaker Mountain as Doll Mountain and west as Holy Mount The mountain drains into Shaker Brook and Lily Brook, thence to the Housatonic River and Long Island Sound.

Hancock, Massachusetts Town in Massachusetts, United States

Hancock is a town in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, United States. It is part of the Pittsfield, Massachusetts Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 717 at the 2010 census.

Doll Mountain, 1,930 feet (590 m), is a prominent peak in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. The mountain is located in Pittsfield State Forest. The summit is wooded and trailless, but the multi-use Doll Mountain Trail traverses its northern slopes. The mountain is wooded with northern hardwood tree species.

Holy Mount, 1,968 feet (600 m), is a prominent peak in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts, formerly used as the location of religious ceremonies by a nearby Shaker community.

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Mount Everett mountain in United States of America

Mount Everett at 2,608 ft - or 793.1 m - is the highest peak in the south Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. The mountain is known for its expansive views of the southern Taconics and Berkshires; for its old growth pitch pine and scrub oak; for the Appalachian Trail's north-south traverse of its shoulders and summit grounds, and for its rare plant and animal communities. The mountain is named after a 19th-century governor of Massachusetts, Edward Everett. The name was proposed in 1841 by Edward Hitchcock, geologist to the state, in his "Final Report on the Geology of Massachusetts." Hitchcock wrote that at the time of his proposal, the mountain was known as Bald Mountain or Ball Mountain. Some old maps at the Sheffield Historical Society also label the mountain as "The Dome".

South Taconic Trail

The South Taconic Trail is a 15.7 mi (25.3 km) hiking trail in the Taconic Mountains of southwest Massachusetts and adjacent New York. The trail extends from Shagroy Road in Millerton, New York, north along the ridgecrest of the southern Taconic Range and the border of New York and Massachusetts, and ends at the Catamount Ski Area on Massachusetts Route 23 700 feet (210 m) east of the New York border in Egremont, Massachusetts. The Appalachian Trail, which traverses an adjacent ridgeline in the same mountain range, parallels the South Taconic Trail 3 mi (4.8 km) to the east. The trails are connected to one another via shorter trails.

Taconic Crest Trail

The Taconic Crest Trail is a 37 mi (60 km) hiking trail in the Taconic Mountains in the northeastern United States. The trail extends from U.S. Route 20 in Hancock, Massachusetts, less than 1 mi (1.6 km) east of the New York border, north along the ridgecrest of the Taconic Range, first within Massachusetts, then weaving along the border of New York and Massachusetts and New York and Vermont, and ending in Petersburgh, New York, on NY Route 346, near the Vermont border. Much of the route has been conserved as state forest, conservation easement, or forest preserve.

Misery Mountain, 2,671 feet (814 m), with at least ten well-defined summits, is a prominent 6 mi (9.7 km) long rideline in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts and adjacent New York. The west side of the mountain is located in New York; the east side and high point lie within Massachusetts. The summit ridge is part meadow and part wooded with red spruce, balsam fir, and northern hardwood tree species. It is notable for its views of the Hudson River Valley to the west. The 35 mi (56 km) Taconic Crest Trail traverses the crest of the ridgeline, but does not cross the summit.

Brodie Mountain mountain in United States of America

Brodie Mountain, 2,621 feet (799 m), is a prominent 5.5-mile (8.9 km) long ridgeline in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts, known for the former Brodie Mountain ski area, which closed in 2002. The ridge has eight well defined summits, three of which have names: Sheep's Heaven Mountain, 2,530 feet (770 m), the ridge's southern prominatory; Beoadic Mountain, the ridge high point, just north of Sheep's Heaven; and East Mountain, 2,613 feet (796 m) located at the top of the former ski area at the center of the ridge. A northern summit, 2,170 feet (660 m), is shown as "Brodie Mountain" on maps that predate the Brodie Mountain ski area.

Rounds Mountain, 2,257 feet (688 m), is a prominent peak in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts and adjacent New York. The west side of the mountain and summit are located in New York; the east side is located within Massachusetts. The summit a bald; the slopes are wooded with northern hardwood tree species. It is notable for its views of the Hudson River Valley to the west and the Green River and Kinderhook Creek valleys of Hancock, Massachusetts to the east. The 35 mi (56 km) Taconic Crest Trail traverses the mountain. Much of the upper slopes and summit are within protected conservation land.

Alander Mountain mountain in United States of America

Alander Mountain, 2,239 feet (682 m) is a prominent peak of the south Taconic Mountains; it is located in southwest Massachusetts and adjacent New York. Part of the summit is grassy and open and part is covered with scrub oak and shrubs; the sides of the mountain are wooded with northern hardwood tree species. Views from the top include the southern Taconic Mountains, the Hudson River Valley including the Catskills. Several trails traverse Alander Mountain, most notably the 15.7 mi (25.3 km) South Taconic Trail, which passes just beneath the summit.

Mount Race mountain in United States of America

Mount Race, 2,365 feet (721 m), is a prominent peak in the south Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts. The mountain is known for its waterfalls, steep, eastern ridgeline cliff face and expansive views of the Housatonic River valley and Berkshires to the east and of fellow Taconics to the south, west and north and Catskills and Hudson River valley to the west, for the traverse of the said cliffline and the summit grounds by the Appalachian Trail and for its old growth pitch pine and scrub oak summit ecosystem.

The Taconic Skyline Trail is a 12.1 mi (19.5 km) multi-use trail in the Taconic Mountains of Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The trail extends from U.S. Route 20 in Hancock, Massachusetts, less than 1 mi (1.6 km) east of the New York border, north along the ridgecrest of the Taconic Range within Pittsfield State Forest and officially ending at Brodie Mountain Road on the Hancock/ Lanesborough town line.

Tower Mountain, 2,193 feet (668 m), is a prominent peak in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. The mountain is located in Pittsfield State Forest and is traversed by the 35 mi (56 km) Taconic Crest hiking trail and the 12.1 mi (19.5 km) multi-use Taconic Skyline Trail. The summit is partially open with views to the west; the slopes are wooded with northern hardwood tree species.

Pine Mountain, 2,221 feet (677 m), is a prominent peak in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. The mountain is located in Pittsfield State Forest and is traversed by the Pine Mountain Trail, which connects to the 35 mi (56 km) Taconic Crest hiking trail and the 12.1 mi (19.5 km) multi-use Taconic Skyline Trail.

Berry Mountain, east peak 2,203 feet (671 m) and west peak 2,188 feet (667 m), is a prominent mountain in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. The mountain is located in Pittsfield State Forest. The west peak is traversed by the 35 mi (56 km) Taconic Crest hiking trail and the east peak is traversed by the 12.1 mi (19.5 km) multi-use Taconic Skyline Trail. The summits are mostly wooded with northern hardwood forest species, but also support a 65-acre (260,000 m2) field of wild azaleas. A microwave tower stands on the east peak. A park loop automobile road and a campground, maintained for summer use, are located just to the north of the summits. Berry Pond, 2,150 feet (660 m), presumed the highest natural pond in the state of Massachusetts, is located on the ridge between Berry Mountain and Berry Hill to the north.

Berry Hill, 2,200 feet (670 m), is a prominent mountain in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. The mountain is located in Pittsfield State Forest and is traversed by a short spur trail from a park automobile road. The Taconic Crest hiking trail and the multi-use Taconic Skyline Trail are located nearby. The mountain is known for its wild azalea fields. Its slopes are wooded with northern hardwood forest species. A park loop automobile road nearly encircles the summit, and a campground, maintained for summer use, is located just to the south of the summit. Berry Pond, 2,150 feet (660 m), presumed the highest natural pond in the state of Massachusetts, is located on the ridge between Berry Hill and Berry Mountain to the south.

Honwee Mountain, east summit 2,313 feet (705 m) and west summit 2,280 feet (690 m), is a prominent mountain in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. The mountain is located in Pittsfield State Forest. The east (highest) summit is traversed by the Honwee Circuit multi-use trail. The west summit is crossed by the 35 mi (56 km) Taconic Crest hiking trail and the 12.1 mi (19.5 km) multi-use Taconic Skyline Trail. The mountain is wooded with northern hardwood forest species.

Poppy Mountain mountain in United States of America

Poppy Mountain, 2,311 feet (704 m), sometimes identified as Pease Ridge, its northwest descending crest, is a prominent peak in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. The mountain is located in Pittsfield State Forest and is traversed by the 35 mi (56 km) Taconic Crest hiking trail. The overgrown summit is wooded with northern hardwood forest species.

Smith Mountain, 2,170 feet (660 m), is a prominent peak in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts, USA. The mountain is located in Pittsfield State Forest and is traversed by the 12.1 mi (19.5 km) multi-use Taconic Skyline Trail. The summit is known for its extensive stand of wild azalea and is wooded with northern hardwood tree species.

Potter Mountain is a prominent ridgeline located in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts. It has several peaks; the most notable are the southern Jiminy Peak, 2,392 feet (729 m), which bears the name of the ski area located on its slopes, and Widow White's Peak, 2,430 feet (740 m), the ridge high point.

References

Appalachian Mountain Club organization

Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) is the oldest outdoor group in the United States. Created in 1876 to explore and preserve the White Mountains in New Hampshire, it has expanded throughout the northeastern U.S., with 12 chapters stretching from Maine to Washington, D.C. The AMC's 275,000 members, advocates, and supporters mix outdoor recreation, particularly hiking and backpacking, with environmental activism. Additional activities include cross-country skiing, whitewater and flatwater canoeing and kayaking, sea kayaking, sailing, rock climbing and bicycle riding. The Club has about 2,700 volunteers, who lead roughly 7,000 trips and activities per year. The organization publishes a number of books, guides, and trail maps.