BEARTOWN STATE FOREST lookout trail with views to the West of the Hudson Valley and Taconic Ridge! from the 1936 State Forest report “Beartown State Forest in Monterey, Great Barrington, Lee, and Tyringham, is a popular year-round recreation area. The nucleus of the 7,990-acre forest was acquired by the state in 1921. Since then a number of foot-trails and motor roads have been constructed, and the best scenic spots, some of which afford panoramas of the Monterey Valley and the Taconic Hills, are now easily accessible to the visitor. At one time, much of the forest was stripped for charcoal and there are definite traces of old burning pits. Nearly 1,000 acres have been set aside as a bird and game refuge, liberally planted with berry-bearing trees and shrubs. A special attempt is being made to raise wild turkeys. The forest is noted for its fine azalea and laurel display. On the northern slope of Beartown Mountain (alt. 1,865) lies one of the most highly developed winter sports areas on state-owned lands.  About 50 acres of Beartown State Forest have been cleared for recreation development. On Mt. Wilcox (alt. 2,150; fire tower with five-state view), which is skirted by the Appalachian Trail, there are 4 picnic tables and 4 fireplaces. Along the west shore of Benedict Pond, a 35-acre body of water, a picnic area with 21 fireplaces and 28 tables has been developed. The picnic areas may be reached from route Mass 102, but are more easily ac-cessible from route Mass 23, the Knox Trail, over which General Henry Knox hauled cannon from Fort Ticonderoga to Cambridge in the winter of 1775-76.