Beautiful Berkshires!

After a long, damp early spring, the promise of a few sunny days was all that was needed to entice me to plan a trip to the Berkshires in western Massachusetts.

The Berkshire region covers a large area, so for this trip, I decided to explore the town of Great Barrington.

Great Barrington is a little over two hours from the Boston area and about a three-hour drive from New York City, making it the perfect spot for a quick getaway.

The village is a cute collection of stores, restaurants, cafes, and some great examples of the beautiful churches that dot the New England countryside. The surrounding mountains and forests provide many options for nature wandering.

The largest waterfall in Massachusetts, Bash Bish Falls, has been on my wish list for a while. After a week of rainy days, it promised to be an exciting first hike during this trip.

Bash Bish Falls is located within Mt. Washington State Forest, right on the New York state line. A scenic 25-minute drive from Great Barrington along winding country roads with beautiful views takes you to the trail's parking lots.

The first parking lot I saw was in Massachusetts, but it was under construction, so I continued down the road to the trailhead in Taconic State Park in New York State. Hiking from the first parking lot would have been a .7-mile round-trip hike that involves a short but steep hike back up to the lot. From the New York side, the trail is gradual and is just under two miles round trip.

The sounds of the babbling Bash Bish Brook and sweetly singing songbirds made the hike to the falls a very relaxing stroll. Along the trail, early wildflowers were starting to bloom. Virginia saxifrage, with its dainty white flowers, was blooming next to the bright green foliage of Early Meadow-rue.

After the deary days of winter, it was so refreshing to see all the shades of green along the trail!

Walking along the trail, the sound of the brook starts to increase, and soon, the roar of the falls can be heard! The viewing area allows a breathtaking view of the water as it plunges 60 feet into the brook.

I soaked in the power and beauty of the falls, enjoying how the trees perfectly framed them. I can only imagine how amazing the view would be in the fall!

On the return hike to the car I was thrilled to find a few vibrant Red Trillium flowers blooming!

Day two dawned with sunny and warm weather - perfect for exploring Massachusetts's second-highest pond, Guilder Pond. Sitting 2048 feet above sea level in the Mt. Everett State Reservation, the trailhead is about 25 minutes from Great Barrington. The road to the parking lot is dirt and slow going, but certainly fine for any car.

The trail starts on the Appalachian Trail and then quickly turns off onto its own blue-blazed trail. Winding through a forest of pine trees, some rather impressive in size, the trail is easy to follow.

Along the one-mile trail are many mountain laurel bushes that must look magical when blooming!

The towering trees framed a brilliant blue sky on this gorgeous day!

After hiking around the pond, I stopped at one of the many picnic tables along the roadside to enjoy lunch. I was kept company by Eastern Newts swimming in the shallows. Members of the salamander family, Newts start their lives in the pond, then move onto land in the Red Eft stage, before returning to the water as adults.

Blueberry bushes were plentiful along the trail and pond shore, promising a bounty for wildlife and birds.

Guilder Pond was the perfect place to soak up the sun on this warm spring day. It is such a hidden gem! As with the falls from yesterday, the pond must be a fantastic place to view the fall colors.

Great Barrington provided the perfect place to stay while enjoying the surrounding state forests. This beautiful southwestern corner of the state has a slower, more relaxed feel, perfect for a relaxing getaway.

For more information about Great Barrington, check out their cultural district website. It is packed with excellent dining, exploring, and lodging options.

The Massachusetts DCR website has detailed information on visiting Bash Bish Falls, Mt. Washington State Forest, and Mt. Everett State Reservation.