J - Jug End Loop Trail, Jug End State Reservation and Wildlife Management Area, Egremont, MA
This hike took me the farthest from home (so far), but was recommended as a gem by BerkshireHiking.com. It did not disappoint!
It was a bit tricky to find (there was no signage pointing to the parking area), but thankfully there was some guidance from the hiking website trail account.
Choosing to hike this on a Wednesday morning, unfortunately it wound up being the day that the mowing crew was managing the trails. I understood that this would likely be the least-busy day for hikers. Fortunately, it didn't take long to get deep enough into the woods, to get away from the mower/weed-eater noise!
If you wanted to make
this a shorter loop hike, you could be perfectly content just
meandering around the maze of mowed trails in the meadow! While that was a nice start for me, it was great to get into the woods!
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| Leaving the meadow, into the woods! |
The trail was an old forest road; it was wide, but stony! The trail followed a mountain stream, so once the lawnmower noise died off, the sound of flowing water created a nice ambience!
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| Overlooking a nice stream |
The trail pitched upward, and finally I heard some birds calling! I was looking for a "furnace" at which point, the trail would loop back around. I found a fireplace and chimney, and signage for an additional loop. I decided to play it safe, and take the "main loop." It was the right call!
The return leg of the loop had a different feel. It started in the woods, but then the trail emerged along meadows in bloom with wild bergemot and goldenrod flowers.
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| I've never been to the Alps, but this was nice too! |
When I stopped to eat some fresh blackberries just before taking the below photo, I saw and heard something stir and make a "huffing" noise in the brush. A bear? I didn't investigate further!
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| That sounded like a bear... |
Overall, the meadow in bloom in the valley was a unique environment to me, so I rather enjoyed this hike! Although it was an hour drive up, and an hour drive back, for a bit over an hour's hiking, I felt it was worth it, (though it might not be for everyone).
Notable Sightings:
- Black Bear? (Heard?)
- Goldenrod
- Wild Bergemot
- Brown-eyed Susans
- Red-eyed Vireo (heard)
- Black-capped Chickadee (heard)
- Common Yellowthroat (heard)
- (Great Spangled?) Fritillary
