When visiting Bartholomew's
Cobble make sure to bring
backup batteries for your digital
camera or you'll get out on the
trail and only have enough power
to snap one photo! (what a bummer
- fortunately Jim Porter of www.menotomyjournal.com
has provided some nice photos
until I can get back there
myself). And you wouldn't want to
miss out on all the amazing photo
ops available at Bartholomew's
Cobble. Part of The Trustees of
Reservations efforts to save
special places from suburban
sprawl, Bartholomew's Cobble is a
shining example of why remaining
land should be preserved. Once
it's gone, it's gone. It would
have been a shame if one of those
cookie cutter neighborhoods were
plopped down here. Fortunately,
the National Park Service
recognized Bartholomew's Cobble as
a National Natural Landmark so Mc
Mansions aren't in the foreseeable
future.
Bartholomew's Cobble gets its name
from the Cobble of rocks
(limestone and marble) that bulge
out to form a couple of small
hills surrounded by farmland and a
winding river. The outlying towns
are very rural and picturesque to
begin with and so the preservation
of this parcel of land creates a
hikers dream. It's easily
accessible via Route 7 but you'll
feel much farther away from
civilization than you really are.
You can wander through open fields
with wildflowers, through thick
forest, scramble over rocks, hike
along the Housatonic River, and
make your way up to an overview
with one of the best views
anywhere (I'd show it but I blew
it with my camera miscue!...click
here
to visit the official site of
Bartholomew's Cobble and view a
nice photo.) According to the
friendly staff at Bartholomew's
Cobble's visitor center,
wildlife abounds and offers the
quiet hiker/walker plenty of
viewing chances. Owl, hawks,
bobcats, wild turkeys, deer, a
plethora of bird and plant life
abound along with the occasional
black bear. The animals have a
nice buffer zone to call their
own and the activity they
produce gives an indication of
just how safe they feel here. In
other areas the same creatures
would be much more shy and wary.
The best times to view wildlife
are at dusk or dawn.
One of the nastiest residents
inhabiting Bartholomew's
Cobble are the deer fly.
During the hot summer months
you must bring bug spray...and
make it high octane while
you're at it! The ranger asked
me if I had bug spray as I
made my way to the trail head.
"Thanks, I'll be alright. I
actually don't mind the deer
fly too much." Five minutes
later I literally came running
back to the visitor's center
like Ace Ventura being chased
by cave bats. As soon as I
entered the forest they were
all over me. Usually it's just
a couple that eventually go
away. Well, dozens of them
decided to give me the royal
greeting and if you've ever
been bitten by one deer fly
it's not pleasant.
Fortunately, the DEET spray
from the ranger worked and I
was able to continue on
uninterrupted.
The trails are well maintained,
clearly marked and although
Bartholomew's Cobble isn't a
huge place it does offer a real
nice variety of terrain and
plenty of great spots. There's
plenty to see and do whether
you're interested in a short
walk or long hike. You can call
ahead to get guided hikes or
canoe rides on the river. As I
noted, the staff was extremely
friendly and eager to share
their knowledge of Bartholomew's
Cobble and the surrounding area.
If you're looking to take a nice
ride through some beautiful
countryside and then stretch the
legs with an easy, accessible
hike Bartholomew's Cobble is a
can't miss. And don't forget the
batteries. It's also important
to note that a $4 fee is asked
for, $1 for children 6-12.
Just up the road is Ashley
House
which offers interesting
historical preservation and
perspective. Colonel John
Ashley's house which he built
in 1735 for his wife is the
oldest in Berkshire County.
It's worth a quick visit even
if you're not normally into
that sort of thing.
Click
here if you're interested in
getting a guided hike in this
region.
Directions:
Bartholomew's
Cobble website
These directions
are taken directly off of
Massachusetts State Parks
website. From Rt. 7
south in Sheffield, turn
right onto Rt. 7A and follow
for 0.5 mi. Turn right onto
Rannapo Rd. and follow for
1.5 mi. Turn right onto
Weatogue Rd. to entrance and
parking on left.
From Rt. 7 north in Canaan,
CT, turn left onto Rt. 7A
and cross state border. Turn
left onto Rannapo Rd and
follow for 0.8 mi. Turn left
onto Weatogue Rd. Continue
as above. Designated parking
area for 30 cars. Phone
number: 413-229-8600
Printable
version of
the Bartholomew's
Cobble page
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