Changes
→Pine Cobble
== Pine Cobble ==
Pine Cobble is a popular short hike for good reason. It is located quite close to campus and offers grand views of the Purple Valley and the surrounding mountains and valleys.
===Trail Description===
From the trailhead, the trail goes through the woods, gradually climbing and crossing numerous old logging roads. Be careful to pay attention to the trail, as it is easy to follow one of these accidentally instead of the trail. In one particular spot, the trail is head uphill and turns right suddenly, though there is a logging road straight ahead. It also passes right behind a house in the Pine Cobble Development. At somewhere near half a mile in, the ground levels off (here, you're at the old shore of Lake Bascom). Around three quarters of a mile in, the trail reaches the end of the level ground and turns to the left, with an intriguing ravine opening to the right. At 0.8 miles is an intersection with the Class of '98 Trail, which leads to the Chestnut Trail in turn. The Pine Cobble Trail continues straight at the intersection, and soon turns right, heading up a steeper rockier section. After looping around to the left again, all the while ascending, the trail eventually reaches an intriguing three-trunked tree (oak?) in the middle of the trail. Between the three trunks is a hollow which is always full of water (or ice). From here, the trail goes a short distance further and turns right, heading up an abrupt steep section to the top of the ridge at one 1.5 miles. Here, there is an intersection. The trail to the left leads another half mile to an intersection with the Appalachian Trail. To the right is the trail(s) to the summit. Walking along the ridge on this trail, there are two good views. To the right is a small outcropping where you can see the Purple Valley with the Taconic Range beyond. Most of campus is visible from here. Farther along is the summit. Down to the left, there is a large cliff/rock outcropping area with wide views to the east towards North Adams and the Hoosic Valley. The Greylock Range is in view to the right (south). Beyond North Adams is the ridge that Route 2 climbs. If you hike up before sunrise on a clear enough day, you can see headlights coming over the ridge and down.
===Getting There By Foot===
To reach the trailhead from campus, walk down past Cole Field to Cole Avenue, or down Cole Avenue. Follow Cole Avenue across the bridge to the intersection with North Hoosac Road. Follow the small road slightly to the right of the intersection on the opposite side of North Hoosac Road. There should be a sign here indicating that the Pine Cobble trailhead is 0.4 miles further east on North Hoosac Road, but that's for cars. Follow the road up past a gate into the Pine Cobble Development. At the intersection here, turn right. The trailhead will be on the left and a parking area on the right a little while later.
===Getting There By Car===
To reach the trailhead from campus drive down Cole Avenue and cross the bridge to the intersection with North Hoosac Road. Turn right and follow the road for about 0.4 miles to the entrance of the Pine Cobble Development on the left. There should be a small sign indicating that the Pine Cobble Trailhead is near here. Follow this road up a short hill to a parking area on the left. The trailhead is on the left, across the road from the parking area.
== Money Brook Trail ==