Lenox Mountain Fire Tower via Trail of the Ledges and Overbrook (Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary)
Hike Type: Loop
Distance: 4.85 miles
Elevation: 518 feet
Time: 1 hour, 57 minutes
Hiking Challenges: 52 Hike Challenge; Massachusetts Fire Tower Challenge 11; Massachusetts Fire Tower Challenge 45
The Hike
I was delighted and shocked to find a fire tower hike so close to Bousquet! I drove about 6 minutes on a paved road and then another 4 on a soft dirt road, and then I was there! There was a nice parking area with plenty of space for me on this now toasty 15-degree, sunny afternoon. I suited up in my car (thought about just keeping my ski gear on but made the responsible decision to change into my hiking clothes), and got right to it!
The hike begins by walking past the Mass Audobon office and then up to some large solar pannels. The AllTrails track had me follow a trail that was not broken out right at the road, which is why I pivoted and headed toward the solar pannels. Spikes went on at the solar pannels and then I turned onto the still-not-broken-out All Persons Trail, which cut across a meadow and led to a LOVELY boardwalk that overlooked Pike's Pond.
"Pike's Pond" from Trailside Kiosk
Pike's Pond is a productive, thriving aquatic habitat. Shallow depths allow sunlight to reach the bottom, enabling aquatic plants to grow from shore to shore, providing a rich source of nutrients and forming a broad variety of habitats. Swimming, floating, or darting around leaves and stems are a myriad of zooplankton - the tiny creatures that form the foundation of the pond ecosystem. Backswimmers, water striders, dragonfly nymphs, and other aquatic insects and crustaceans feed on them. Snapping turtles leisurely scavenge the bottom. Tadpoles graze on algae near the shoreline. Frogs proclaim their territories, witing for prey to hop, swim, or fly by. Herons stir the muck, seeking an unwary fish, frog, or crayfish. Painted Turtles bask atop logs. Filled with life, this pond is a marvel of biological diversity.
Red-spotted Newts have four life stages: egg, larva, eft, and adult. The red eft is teh only terrestrial stage, lasting four to five years before the adult salamanders return to the pond to reproduce.
Pike's Pond provides a home and ample food supply for the nymphs of many dragonfly and damselfly species. Some of these species have aquatic stages lasting six or more years. Damselfly nymphs are predatory carnivores. The Common Whitetail dragonfly is one of nearly 50 species of odonates found at this sanctuary.
Crayfish are important pond scavengers. In turn, they too become food for herons, Hooded Mergansers and raccoons.
Vegetation, shading and a variety of water depths allow fish to inhabit various microhabitats in the pond. Found here are warm water species including bass, perch, minnows, and shiners. The male pumpkinseed sunfish hollows out a nest depression where one or more females lay their eggs. He then guards teh next until the eggs have hatched.
Birds of Pike's Pond: Many species of birds are able to find food in or along the shores of Pike's Pond. Herons feast on fish, frogs, crayfish, and insects that call the pond home. Belted Kingfishers plunge dive into the pond in hopes of catching small fish like shiners and pumpkinseeds. Hooded Mergansers, which nest in natural tree cavities and wooden nest boxes, eagerly dive for crayfish meals. Red-winged blackbirds often hunt for insects in meadows as well as wetlands, but attach their nests to the stalks of emergent plants like cattails.
The nature of Pike's Pond is a result of changes people have made to Yokun Brook. Sanctuary staff built a dam on Yokun Brook in 1932, hoping to create a pond to attract wildlife. The pond was again altered when wildlife managers successfully reintroduced beavers downstream along Yokun Brook in 1932. What you see now has resulted from extensive beaver activity that has continued since then. Today, we work alongside the beavers to maintain and protect this network of biologically diverse wetland habitat.
The view from the boardwalk and then the Pike's Pond Trail were absolutely lovely, but I was confused about the blazing. Apparently, instead of giving each trail it's own color, blazes are blue when you are hiking away from the office and yellow when you are hiking towards. An interesting system, but I don't dislike it! I only had two qualms at this point of my hike: 1) I forgot my snack pack at home so I did not have a Reece's Big Cup to eat and 2) I was about to go snowblind - I think when I inevitably get new ski googles I'll make my current ones my hiking ones. Unfortunately, I really can't wear sunglasses AND a buff, and I really need to wear the buff for my asthma. Tragic!
The Pike's Pond Trail crosses a lovely bridge with a solid snowpack over a stream, and then reaches the "Trail of the Ledges," which in my opinion is a very dramatic name, but it was time to go up! My puffy came off and I started the climb.
To my dismay, there were only one set of recent footprints ahead of me. Thankfully, the snowpack was mostly frozen over, and I wasn't postholing, so overall it was fine. I made it past the closed Waycross Trail, followed a stream, and then passed the Ravine Trail, which was also closed. I took my fleece off here. Both trails were closed for storm damage, which was clearly visible from the junction.
Continuing on, the trail definitely got steep, and my hat eventually came off. There were plenty of animal prints, including some of the most adorable, definted bunny prints I had ever seen! The Trail of the Ledges continued into a stunning coniferous forest and up some ledges that had good grip with spikes. I also noticed some larger, older mystery footprints that really looked like bear prints. Maybe a bear woke up from it's winter nap for some exploring?
The last big climb was up to the junction with the Laurel Trail, which really got my heart pumping! There was an overgrown view at the junction, and then I continued through gentler and beautiful forests. The snow was deeper up here, and the wind was flowing through the trees now, which cooled me down a bit. I passed by an impressive blowdown and then traversed through a lovely mountain laurel grove.
Gently rising, the Trail of the Ledges continued into another beautiful conifer forest before descending a bit, offering a tree view to the fire tower! I followed some deer prints into the sag and climbed with many more critters' tracks up the final push. I put my fleece back on when I could see the sky through the trees, and soon came up on the junction with the Overbrook Trail, which would be my return route.
There was a short, final push up to the tower/summit area. The tower itself did not have a cabin and was fully fenced off, basically attached to a communication tower. There was an excellent view from a clearing around the fence, and I could even make out the Catskill high peaks from the side! The trail to Yokun was not broken out, which I was bummed about, because I was flirting with extending my hike, but that's okay. It was a chilly 15 degrees up here with 15 to 20 mph wind gusts. Also, for some reason, my anemometer was in celcius and I couldn't figure out how to change it, so I had to do some conversions back at the car.
After retracing my steps to the Overbrook junction, I noticed that the same single set of footprints was leading me down. I guess no one comes up here on cold days? There were more older tracks, though, which made for some exciting "ankle buster" moments. There were still MANY animal prints, though.
The Overbrook Trail descended for a while, steeply at times (not as steep as Trail of the Ledges), and then eventually came up to a partially frozen stream (is this the namesake brook the trail goes over??) which had a couple beautiful frozen cascades. I imagine this stretch will be gorgeous during the spring runoff!
I eventually found my first people at the bottom of the cascades, a group of four moving slowly. I guess they just wanted to come up to the brook and back. Once they noticed me, they let me pass by, and then I continued down to a mini gorge that was super neat. I found another person a bit further down who I unfortunately scared (sorry!), and eventually, the Overbrook Trail terminates at the Bluebird Trail.
The Bluebird Trail crossed three footbridges and meandered through open forests in between. After the third bridge, the trail struggles up a powdery hill that leads right back to the Audobon area! My spikes came off once I hit the buildings, and then I had a lovely, squishy walk back to the car.
"A Succession Story" from Trailhead KioskThis quiet field may appear serene and peaceful, but there is a constant competition that could lead to great changes. In fields like this, shrubs and tree seedlings vie with grasses, goldenrods, and milkweeds for nutrients, sunlight, and space. In New England, without disturbance or management, these fields will eventually return to forest. The progression from field to forest is called old field succession.
In a field succeeding first to shrubland and then to forest, the types of "pioneering" trees and shrubs that first invade depends upon soil, climate, location, and other factors. The first shrubs and trees cast shade and increase soil moisture, making it possible for other seeds that need moise conditions to flourish. In this way, the pioneers set the stage for their own replacement by shade-tolerant woodland trees.
Room to Grow: The seeds of pioneering species like gray birch, white pine, and cherry require sunlight in order to germinate. These fast-growing pioneer trees thrive in the available space and sunlight. In a matter of years, these pioneers are replaced by shade-tolerant woodland trees like Sugar Maple and American Beech.
What is we stopped mowing?These fields are magnets for wildlife - butterflies around in June, bluebirds and Song Sparrows breed here in spring and summer and foxes hunt for field mice throughout the year. With mowing, the field remains open, providing food and habitat for a great number of mammals, birds, insects, and plants. If we stopped mowing, shrubs and trees would take over and the field would soon become a woodland.
This was a LOVELY hike and a perfect way to wrap up (or potentially begin) a half day of skiing at Bousquet! I do wish the hike was longer, but it was good that I finished when I did so I could get home to Boston for my Sunday scaries.
Step-by-Step
- Park at Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Start hike on Bluebird Trail.
- At jct., turn left onto All Persons Trail.
- At jct., turn left onto Pike's Pond Loop.
- At jct., turn left onto Trail of the Ledges.
- At jct., turn left to Summit Spur.
- At summit, turn around.
- At jct., turn left onto Overbrook Trail.
- At terminus, turn right onto Bluebird Trail.
- Follow Bluebird Trail back to car.
"Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th Ed. (2021)
This 1,300-acre Mass Audobon wildlife sanctuary is on the east slope of Lenox Mtn. in the town of Lenox. A 7-mi. trail network leads to diverse features, such as beaver ponds, marshes, streams, and forests. All trails are marked with blue and yellow blazes: blue blazes lead away from the sanctuary office and main entrance, while yellow blazes lead back toward the entrance. All trail junctions are clearly signed. Attractions include a picnic area and the universally accessible All Persons Trail, which includes a "Sensory Trail" overlay with printed, Braille, an daudio tours and an observation deck.
From the intersection of US 7 and US 20, drive north 3.0 mi. and turn left onto West Dugway Rd., marked by a sign for the sanctuary. Follow West Dugway Rd. for 0.75 mi. and then bear left onto West Mtn. Rd. (dirt) and travel 0.8 mi. to the sanctuary entrance and parking. Trail information is available at the office near the parking area.
"Pike's Pond Trail" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th Ed. (2021)
This trail, which offers an easy, relaxing walk around the waters and wetlands of Pike's Pond, begins at the sanctuary office. Clockwise, the loop heads across the lawn to a long baordwalk that negotiates a shrubby swamp. Pike's Pond trail then roughly follows the south shore of the pond before crossing a wooden bridge over a section of Yokun Brook at 0.3 mi. The trail swings around the west shore, passing marked junctions with Trail of the Ledges and Yokun Trail on th left before running very closely along the north shore. Pike's Pond Trail then leaves the pond and ends at the intersection with Bluebird Trail, about 400 ft. north of the office.
"Trail of the Ledges" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th Ed. (2021)
This strenuous, sometimes very steep trail leads from Pike's Pond Trail to the top of Lenox Mtn. (2,126 ft.), an elevation gain of about 800 ft.
Trail of the Ledges begins at the jct. with Pike's Pond Trail, 0.3 mi. from the sanctuary office. The route initially ascends along a stream and past jcts. with Waycross and Ravine trails. It then leaves the brook and climbs steeply to the Laurel Trail, at 0.8 mi., where a ledge offers an excellent view. Trail of the Ledges continues past another lookout on the right at 1.1 mi. and reaches the summit at 1.6 mi. The summit area is owned by the state of Massachusetts (managed by DCR) and offers excellent views to the west and north. The historical summit fire tower, which is closed to the public, is used to support communications equipment. (Note: Trail of the Ledges is not recommended for descent; use Overbrook Trail on the return trip).
"Overbrook Trail" from Massachusetts Trail Guide, 11th Ed. (2021)
The recommended route for descent of Lenox Mtn. in all weather conditions, this steep and strenuous trail also offers an alternate ascent route to the summit. Follow Bluebird Trail north from the sanctuary office for 0.3 mi. and then turn left onto Overbrook Trail (just after the jct. with Beaver Lodge Trail). Overbrook Trail heads northwest up the slope of Lenox Mtn. along a cascading brook, passing the four-way jct. with Laurel Trail at 0.5 mi. The path ascends along a ravine, weaving from bank to bank before leaving the sanctuary and climbing to the summit at 1.3 mi.
