South Yokun Ridge West Stockbridge

#hikethehilltowns with us!

South Yokun Ridge, West Stockbridge
June 22nd @ 10:00 am

Parking: High Road Lot at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, North Gate House, #35
Richmond Mountain Road, Lenox 01240. GPS 42.352078, -73.321185

PARKING IS VERY LIMITED registration is per car so please try to carpool. Please register so we have enough room for parking please.

Hike Rating:  Moderate approx. three mile loop with uneven footing and elevation changes.

When the early settlers came to the Berkshires, they brought with them a desire to farm and create industry from the forests that covered the land. Industry such as charcoal for iron ore production, oak for barrels, chestnut for construction, oak bark and hemlock for tanning of
skins and wood for heating the new homes that were built and also hydropower from its many streams to power gristmills and saw mills, these industries and farming lead to deforestation.  In the mid-1800’s three quarters of New England’s forests were cleared. Iron Mining proved to be good business but also stripped the land, there were 17 iron mines in operation in 1825, most located on the the Western side of the Yokun Ridge. This ore went to Richmond Furnace.  We will travel the Charcoal Trail starting on the High Road to discover the natural history of the Yokun Ridge and how the forest has regrown since the early 1900’s. Hike is a three mile loop including a stop at Olivia’s Overlook with views of Stockbridge Bowl.

Please Register per car load on https://westernmasshilltownhikers.ticketleap.com Maps and bottled water provided.  Well behaved dogs allowed. Suggestion donation is $10, event is volunteer lead.  More details are on www.hilltownhikers.com .  Please email westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312 if you have any questions.  As always be prepared for rocks, mud and roots, bring hiking poles!

Become a Hilltown Hiker Member!   You can sign up securely with a credit card on our shopping page here 

For more hike information email: westernmasshilltownhikers@aol.com or call/text 413-302-0312.   Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Meetup, YouTube, Pinterest, Threads and Twitter (X).  Tees, hoodies, hats, patches and photos will be for sale at the event.  Our free catalog of printed hiking maps will be there too.  See all our events, maps, blog and photos at www.hilltownhikers.com Please keep our beautiful places clean and carry in and carry out. 

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Mission Statement: Western Mass Hilltown Hikers, Inc. is organized exclusively for charitable and educational purposes to engage in all legal activities relating to the development, maintenance and operation of recreational hiking and outdoor adventure in Western Massachusetts.  We are a non-profit 501C(3) organization incorporated in the State of Massachusetts. Tax ID #86-2532249