When I was little, when my mother asked me if I wanted to go for a walk, I would ask where we were going. Completely unappreciative of aimless wandering, I needed to know the purpose of our walk. Here are two trails where the journey is just as amazing as the destination.
Monument Mountain
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Monument Mountain, famous for its rocks, is named for the rock cairn that marks the burying place of a mythical Mohican woman who jumped to her death after her love for her cousin was forbidden by her tribe. Her story is chronicled in a poem entitled âÂÂMonument Mountainâ by William Cullen Bryant. According to The Trustees of Reservations website, William Cullen Bryant âÂÂs poem is only part of Monument MountainâÂÂs literary history. Its great natural beauty has inspired many artists and writers. When a thunderstorm interrupted Nathaniel Hawthorne and Herman MelvilleâÂÂs picnic, they retreated into a cave and spent the afternoon in deep discussion. The combination of the foul weather and conversation is said to have inspired MelvilleâÂÂs celebrated novel âÂÂMoby Dick.”
The trails that climb Monument Mountain wind through pristine forests. The three miles of trails pass through mostly white pine and oak forest. Plant lovers can also identify mountain laurel, hemlock, maple, and birch trees. A winding brook runs next to the trail. There are several waterfalls of varying sizes that are awe-inspiring. On a hot day, it is pleasant to dip your feet in the icy water. Watch out for the mosquitoes that converge by the brook, or you will be dinner. However, the upper trails are remarkably mosquito-free.
Western Massachusetts was littered with boulders during the Ice Age.  In some spots, steps have been carved out of the rocks to make the trail more accessible.  Other times, it is necessary to clamber over boulders. While this sounds difficult, it is actually lots of fun. It gives the trip a hint of adventure.
Monument Mountain also plays host to a remarkable amount of wildlife. Frogs and toads hop along the trail. Many different types of birds can be seen swooping through the foliage. My father spotted a baby bear climbing down from a tree and crashing through the woods. In addition to wild animals, Monument Mountain allows people to bring their family dogs on the hike. Along the way, we saw many dogs accompanying their owners over the boulders.
The summit of Squaw Peak at Monument Mountain provides panoramic views of Western Massachusetts. The summit is a rocky outcropping, with miniature pines growing straight out of the crevasses, allowing excellent visibility. The view of farms and forests from Squaw Peak is truly breathtaking. It is relaxing to sit on a warm boulder and look out over the surrounding countryside after a long hike.
Location: Route 7, Great Barrington, MA.
Facilities: Picnic tables near the parking lot and free trail maps. There are no restrooms.
Equipment: Although my mother hiked Monument Mountain in a pair of ballet flats and my father prefers to clamber over boulders in flip-flops purchased at the local dollar store, I would recommend a pair of shoes with decent treads like sneakers, hiking boots, or hiking sandals. Sunscreen and bug spray are essential supplies while hiking, even though the foliage affords some sun protection during the hike and the mosquitoes are not too aggressive. Most importantly, bring a water bottle to enjoy at the summit.
BartholomewâÂÂs Cobble
What is a cobble? Though it sounds like a fruity desert, a cobble is a rock-encrusted hill. The trails weave through the mounds of boulders and along the sides of the Housatonic River. The unique terrain is home to a diverse ecosystem of ferns, moss, lichen, and wild flowers. The damp earth along the Ledges Trail provides a habitat for brilliantly colored mushrooms. The ferns and wild flowers grow miraculously out of small cracks in the damp, moss-covered boulders. It is astounding how many types of moss grow on the boulders. They vary in color and texture. Some are delicate and fluffy; others are star shaped and prickly.  According to the Trustees of Reservations website, over 800 types of vascular plants live in the Cobble and there are more forest types in the small reserve than in any other spot in Berkshire County. BartholomewâÂÂs Cobble is literally a naturalistâÂÂs dream.
The Ledges Trail also provides beautiful vistas looking out on the Housatonic River. The trails are well kept. Park employees have built rough-hewn bridges over muddy patches and streams, as well as water barsâÂÂrows of rocks built across a trail to divert water from washing away the path. Like most hikes in the Berkshires, the trails are pristine and litter-free. Â
Down the road from the Cobble is HurlburtâÂÂs Hill. Visitors can reach the summit by following the Woods Road or by hiking down the Boulder Trail. Boulder TrailâÂÂs plant life is different from the plant life found in the Cobble. It is amazing how much the terrain can change in a few hundred yards. The woods along Boulder Trail are filled with the aromatic smell of cedar and pine, rather than the wet, woodsy smell of the Cobble. Yet the mosquitoes are ubiquitous. If you do not keep moving, they will descend upon you like buzzards on a carcass. My mother bravely stopped to photograph some orange and yellow wood ear fungi growing on a rotting log.  I didnâÂÂt stop moving for long because I did not want to be eaten alive by mosquitoes.   Â
At the top of the hill is a wildflower meadow. The sound of crickets is deafening. When you leave the woods and step out into the full sunlight of the meadow, the mosquitoes suddenly disappear.   After a short, steep walk through the meadow, you arrive at the summit. There you can relax on a wood bench and look out at the beautiful farmland and forests of Connecticut and Massachusetts.
Location: Weatogue Road, Ashley Falls, Sheffield, MA.
Facilities: The visitorâÂÂs center has handicapped-accessible public restrooms. It also houses a room that has an exhibition on the animals, plants, and history of the area. Tours led by naturalists and workshops for children and adults are also offered.
Equipment: Due to recent rain, the mosquitoes at the Cobble are numerous and vicious. Leave no inch of skin uncovered or risk being eaten alive! A long sleeved shirt and pants are necessary, as well as a liberal application of bug spray. After ten minutes of hiking, I was wishing for one of those geeky hats that have mosquito netting attached to the brim. Despite them, the hike is well worth the trouble. In drier weather, BartholomewâÂÂs Cobble has fewer mosquitoes.