HIKING: Phelps Trail

Anyone who has ever watched the sun slip over the western horizon of the Berkshires is familiar with the glories of the Taconic Mountains. This chain of peaks and hollows runs from north to south, a rampart between Massachusetts and New York. Some of the region’s best hiking hides in plain sight on this range, and one of the sweetest spots—particularly in spring—is the Phelps Trail in Williamstown, Massachusetts.

The trail won’t give up its pleasures without a fight, however. With a vertical climb of 1,300 feet over 1.5-miles, the Phelps Trail poses a stern test. It’s all worthwhile for the experience of a knife-edge ridge, glowing with nature’s first green, for the song of the hermit thrush, the call of a barred owl, and the abundant spring ephemerals—a term that describes early- and short-blooming woodland wildflowers, but which might as well serve as a metaphor for every delight of this fine and elusive season.

The trail, which is maintained by the Williamstown Rural Lands Foundation, starts from a well-marked parking area on Oblong Road, about one-quarter mile south of the junction with Sloan Road (from the intersection of Routes 7 and 43 in Williamstown—the Five Corners—head west on Sloan slightly more than a mile to Oblong and then turn left).

Lush meadow gives way quickly to a switchbacking climb through pine and mixed hardwoods. Relief comes after passing through ancient stone walls onto a sharp, saddle-like ridge, conveying a great sense of height.

The trail climbs still further to the junction with the Taconic Crest Trail. The hiker with energy remaining will turn left, or south, gaining a grassy summit before descending. Before full leaf-out in late May, New York State wilderness lies visible to the west, with more pastoral Massachusetts on display to the east. Ahead to the south looms Misery Mountain—assail it if you dare!

The best route home on this three-hour trip calls for a short descent on the Taconic Crest Trail to the Mills Hollow junction. A lovely saunter down Mills Hollow Road brings the hiker back to Oblong Road, a couple hundred meters south of the trailhead. [MAY 2010]

Tad Ames is president of Berkshire Natural Resources Council.

THE GOODS

Williamstown Rural Lands
671 Cold Spring Rd./Route 7
Williamstown, Mass.
413.458.2494