Monument Mountain Loop (Monument Mountain Reservation)

Monument Mountain Loop (Monument Mountain Reservation)

Distance: 4.24 miles
Elevation: 955 feet

Time: 1 hour, 52 minutes 
Hike Type: Loopty Loop
Hiking Challenges: N/A

The Hike

My mind is a silly place. When I should have been resting from vacation, I decided to elongate my drive to New Jersey by not only planning to ski at Catamount, but also by hiking Monument Mountain. I had heard of Monument Mountain before and it's views when I still lived in Western Mass, and it was on the way to Catamount - perfect! I had planned for a sunrise hike with the knowledge of possible cloudy skies. When I got to the trailhead a little after 5:30am, it was clear there were MANY clouds, so I happily took that opportunity to take a half-hour power nap. I woke up around 6:10am to a much brighter and equally as cloudy sky (also I was super gassy, not fun). A car came into the parking lot around the same time. Temps were in the upper 20s and breezy at the rutted, frozen parking lot, and there was minimal snow left. 

My hike started on the right side of the parking lot on the Hickey Trail, which started as a gentle trail that roughly followed the road. At 0.3 miles, the trail turned away from the road at a sign and began to climb steeply, then moderately. There were many water bars and some stairs, and my puffy and fleece quickly came off. The geology of this reservation would turn out to be the true star of the show - I passed one phenomenal boulder that opened up into a wide boulder field that was partially covered in moss - just beautiful!

On the right, there was a partially frozen stream, followed by an easy crossing of the stream, and then the trail leads to a side path of a great view of a frozen waterfall.

The trail loops around the waterfall, climbing steadily, and then crosses the stream on a footbridge, entering the ridge of the mountain, where the trail gets more rugged. Right at the one mile mark, the Hickey Trail terminates at the Mohican Monument Trail/Peekawso Peak Trail junction. I decided to make the hike into a loopty loop, so I turned right onto the blue-blazed Mohican Monument Trail, which descended through needle ice and mountain laurel. The trail descended easily and steadily, which I knew was going to turn into a "later problem" for me. The trail follows the bottom of the high ridge wall.

After another miles, I turned left onto the red-blazed Peekawso Peak Trail. I also took a moment to appreciate how well-signed the Trustees proeprties are. I also also realized I forgot deodorant - whoops!

The Peekawso Peak Trail is the most rugged of the three, but also the most fun in my opinion. It starts with a steep climb, mostly guided by stone stairs and plentiful blazes. There was a narrow bit of trail that led to the first view of the day - a view of Catamount Mountain! It was fun to see where I was headed later in the day. 

The geology of the mountain continued to be stunning, and that was further solidified when I took the spur trail to the Devil's Pulpit - which showed a nice view of nearby cliffs (kind of like the Palisades in NY/NJ) and Ski Butternut on Warner Mountain. There were some blues popping through the sky, and there was some terrifying sound coming from the bottom of the overlook. I first thought that it was an animal in distress, then I realized it could have just been trees creaking in the wind, OR it could have been the devil himself! Who knows.

I retraced my step to the main trail and continued the rugged, narrow ridge climb. It was a fun trail! Never too strenuous, but always had to be thinking. The actual peak area had nice views is most directions. It was very rocky, so I had to be careful with footing, especially since there was snow/ice between many of the rocks. Spikes were not needed, though. The summit was marked with a hole and a triangle etched into the rock.

The descent followed more stone steps, I passed Inscription Rock, and then followed the blue-blazed Mohican Monument Trail all the way back to the car. 

"This ridge and the cliffs of Monument Mountain were conveyed to The Trustees of Public Reservations by deed bearing date October 19 AD 1899 to fulfilment of a wish of Rosalie Butler that such portions of this mountain might be preserved to the People of Berkshire as a place of free enjoyment for all time."

From the second junction with the Peekawso Peak Trail, the Mohican Monument Trail meandered through lovely woods, eventually following the main road. A fire gate leads down to the road and the trail veers left, meandering past some really impressive boulders. Soon enough, the trail opens back up at the parking lot, I did my quick change, and I was off to Catamount Mountain for some skiing!

Step-By-Step

- Park at Monument Mountain parking area off Route 7.

- Start hike on Hickey Trial on right side of parking lot.

- At terminus, turn right onto Mohican Monument Trail.

- At jct. with Peekawso Peak Trail, turn left.

- Follow red-blazed Peekawso Peak Trail to Devil's Pulpit overlook, then main summit.

- At terminus, turn left onto Mohican Monument Trail.

- Follow blue blazes back to car.

Trail Descriptions

NOTE: It appears since the Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th Ed. was published in 2021, The Trustees have updated trail names to less-offensive names. I included what is written in the Massachusetts Trail Guide below, but crossed out the outdated names and included the updated names in brackets.

"Welcome to Monument Mountain" from Parking Kiosk

More than 20,000 hikers a year explore these pale boulders, cliffs, and ledges. Most routes up the mountain are steep, but the spectacular views of Mount Greylock and the Catskill Mountains of New York State afforded from the 1,642-foot summit are worth the effort. Watch for hawks and even the occasional bald eagle soaring gracefully above the serene landscape. Monument Mountain's geology is equally remarkable - it is composed predominantly of pale quartzite, rising abruptly above the Housatonic wetlands and river valley.

"We are on the traditional homeland of the Stockbridge-Munsee Mohican Nation" from Parking Kiosk

Monument Mountain is a sacred site of the Mohican Nation, whose people thrived for thousands of years in territory that extends throughtout today's Berkshire County and the Hudson River Valley before being displaced by European colonists. This popular peak was likely named for the immense sacred stone "monument" created by the Mohican people - tribal members placed stone offerings imbued with their prayers here. Though the tribe is now based in Wisconsin, members carry on the tradition of offering stone prayers when they visit Monument Mountain to this day. 

"Welcome to Monument Mountain, Sacred Site of the Mohican People" from Parking Kiosk

Have you ever wondered where Monument Mountain got its name? The mountain, known as Maaswuseexay (Mas-we-SE-hi) in Mohcan language - meaning "A nest standing up" or "Fisher's nest" - is a part of the homelands of the Mohican people. Mohican territory extends throughout today's Berkshire County and the Hudson River Valley. The Mohican people thrived there for thousands of years before they were dispossessed of their ancestral homelands by English colonists and forced to move west in the late 1700s. According to historical accounds, Monument Mountain was likely named for the immense sacred stone "monument" created by the Mohican people who lived and passed by the mountain.

"Cultural Significance" from Parking Kiosk

The stone structure, located near the southern tip of the mountain, was an offering place believed to be called Maaswuseexay Wuwaana'kwthik in Mohican, generally meaning "place of arranged stones at the fisher's nest/standing up nest." The structure was an example of a Mohican traditional cultural practice whereby passing tribal members would place a stone offering imbued with their prayers. This practices was relayed by Mohican Ebenezer Poopoonuck in 1734, who indicated it had been a longstanding tradition - a "custom of their fathers" - that was continued at that time when the Tribe lived in "Indiantown," or Stockbridge. Although it was completely destroyed by English colonists, the original Wuqaana'kwthik continues to hold deep meaning for the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans as a place of connection to their ancestors and of ceremonial significance. It is considered a traditional cultural property and a sacred site. Please respect it as much as you walk these trails today.

"Removal and Return to Homelands" from Parking Kiosk

Despite painful removals from their vast original territories, the Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of Mohicans thrive in Wisconsin with over 1,500 enrolled citizens. They often return to their eastern homelands for historical trips and remain actively involved in the protection of cultural sites and the return of cultural heritage items. Records consistently show tribal members returning throughout the 1800s to offer stone prayers, and tribal members continue to visit Monument Mountain to carry on the tradition to this day. For more information about the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, please visit mohican.com.

"The Melville Trail - Monument Mountain" from Parking Kiosk

        On August 5, 1850, Stockbridge resident and publisher David Dudley Field invited several literary friends on a picnic hike at this site. Notable guests included Oliver Wendell Holmes, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Herman Melville. A thunderstorm forced the group to seek refuge in a cave where a lengthy and vigorous discussion ensued, inspiring powerful ideas for Melville's new book, Moby-Dick.

        After climbing to the top of the mountain, the assembled drank a toast to Berkshire poet William Cullen Bryant, editior of the New York Post. They then read aloud Bryant's poem entitled "Monument Mountain." The day concluded with a dinner at Field's Home.

        This famous excusion prompted a series of meetings between Melville and Hawthorne, which quickly developed into a close friendship between the two authors. Melville saw Hawthorne as a great inspiration for his work, and later dedicated Moby-Dick to his friend. 

"Monument Mountain Reservation" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th Ed. (2021)

Monument Mtn. Reservation in Great Barrington is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Berkshires, drawing more than 20,000 visitors anually. The mountain, an isolated outcropping hummock of pure white quartzite, was sacred to the area's native peoples, inspired the poetry of William Cullun Bryant, and was the place where Nathaniel Hawthorne gave Herman Melville advice on writing Moby-Dick. The depth of history here is equaled by the natural wonders of these stunning cliffs. Wildlife abounds in the forests, and the updrafts the sweep the cliffs are sought out by many species of raptors that routinely soar close to the rocks.

        Prominent features along this beautiful ridge include Squaw [Peekawso] Peak (1,623 ft.), a ragged crest atop the vertical cliffs, and Devil's Pulpit, a dramatic, freestanding pinnacle south of Squaw [Peekawso] Peak. (Note: Rock climbing is prohibited throughout the reservation.)

        To reach the reservation entrance, from the jct. of US 7 and MA 102 in Stockbridge, follow US 7 south for 3.0 mi.; or from the jct. of US 7 and MA 23 in Great Barrington, travel north 3.0 mi. A kiosk with trail maps is at the entrance, and a picnic area is nearby. Nonmebers of The Trustees of Reservations must pay a $5 parking fee at a self-serve pay station."

"Indian [Mohican] Monument Trail" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th Ed. (2021)

This blue-blazed trail begins at the south end of the parking area and parallels US 7 for roughly 0.3 mi. before joining a wide woods road. The route follows the woods road, swinging sharply right, and reaches a stone wall at 0.5 mi.

        The trail continues along the level woods road and gradually becomes steeper in grade, reaching the jct. with Squaw [Peekawso] Peak Trail (right) in an open area at 0.75 mi. Indian [Mohican] Monument Trail continues easily through the woods, with the cliffs and boulders of Monument Mtn. ever present on the right, and swings south as it climbs to the jct. with Hicket Trail at Inscription Rock at 1.5 mi.

"Hickey Trail" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th Ed. (2021)

This heavily used orange-blazed trail is the shortest and quickest way to the summit of Monument Mtn. From the reservation entrance, Hicket Trail proceeds easily north through open woods, with the rocky slopes of the mountain visible on the left. It passes a small wet area before beginning a steady, moderate climb, passing a huge boulder on the left. The route crosses a log bridge over a brook and then passes a cave behind a waterfall on the left. After climbing a gully, Hickey Trail turns left, crosses another bridge over the brook, and scrambles over a boulder field to reach Inscription Rock and the intersection with Indian [Mohican] Monument Trail at 0.8 mi.

"Squaw [Peekawso] Peak Trail" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th Ed. (2021)

Squaw [Peekawso] Peak Trail, marked with red blazes, begins at Inscription Rock at the jct. of Hickey and Indian [Mohican] Monument trails on the far eastern end of the mountain. The trail then runs across the spine of the ridge, crossing the summit of Squaw [Peekawso] Peak before angling down the slope to join Indian [Mohican] Monument Trail 0.75 mi. from the parking area.

        From Inscription Rock, Squaw [Peekawso] Peak Trail leads steeply up stone steps to the quartzite outcroppings that mark the true summit of Monument Mtn. (1,623 ft.). The route weaves among boulders, pines, and azaleas and descends into a small saddle between the two peaks before climbing to teh ragged, sheer cliffs of Squaw [Peekawso] Peak (1,623 ft.). A short side loop leads down along the rocks to an overlook with an excellent view of the Devil's Pulpit, a unique freestanding rock column, and the Housatonic Valley. Squaw [Peekawso] Peak Trail descends, steeply at first, below the Devil's Pulpit vista, and then continues west along the ridge to end at the intersection with Indian [Mohican] Monument Trail.

Monument Mountain Reservation Map (The Trustees)

Photo Album