BELLOWS PIPE TRAIL ski & hike on Mt Greylock

 

Jan 12, 2009 - BELLOWS PIPE TRAIL from Notch Rd.  NE side of Mt. Greylock near N Adams, MA.  Parking lot uphill from trailhead not a priority for plowing (got plowed just after we got there).  Great conditions - good base topped with up to a foot of powder.  Some blowdown; stream crossings not too bad (just make sure its been cold lately).  Climb for 2.7 miles to lean-to; thru-trees view of Hoosic River valley.  Continued on to  Thunderbolt Ski Trail; watched a couple of guys come down using alpine touring gear.  Fun run back; intermediate with only 1 steeper hill.  1, 000'+ elevation, 6.5 miles, 4+ hours.

Jan 16, 2006 - BELLOWS PIPE TRAIL thru the notch between Mt. Greylock & Ragged Mtn., N. Adams, Mass. Trailhead just before the end of plowing on Notch Rd. Trail is wide, relatively smooth. 8" powder, little base; windblown at higher elevation. More wet stream crossing than I would like due to recent warm spell & rain - pretty tho with the ice & running water. Notch Brook well down in ravine to our E. Intermediate steepness/skiing - a couple of steep pitches before notch can be avoided by switchbacking thru woods. Gain 950' in 2.7 miles to leanto - nice thru the trees views SE of Hoosic River valley & up to summit of Greylock, the highest point in Mass - sun & little wind made for a comfortable lunch stop despite temps in the teens. Continued S on BPT for a while dropping 500' (intermediate+) & crossing the famed Thunderbolt Ski Trail (1,800' drop in 1.6 miles! - read David Goodman's book Backcountry Skiing Adventures VT & NY for history & description - record run of 2 min. 8 seconds was set in 1948). I used skins to climb back up to the high point. Ski back down to Notch Rd was very pleasant & even the stream crossings didn't seem that bad. 7 miles, 5.5 hours. Fischer Rebound skis & Garmont Excursion plastic boots - noticeably better downhill control with the latter. 


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