AT in MASS Columbus Day Weekend

I am planning an easy hike for three days two nights for a Boy Scout Troop Columbus Day Weekend on the AT in Mass. We will avoid Greylock as we have done it. Looking for 5 to 6 miles a day.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Looking for area where we can park at both ends to avoid backtracking.
Thank you!

[Greg]

Hey sack! Welcome to the boards. THIS looks like a great option in southwest Mass. It's a loop so you won't have to spot cars. It's also a wonderful area...

Hope this helps!

Frissel is interesting. Does anyone know if their are any tenting sites and water?

Thanks!

[Greg]

Originally Posted by sack

Frissel is interesting. Does anyone know if their are any tenting sites and water?

Thanks!

There is some great backcountry camping in this general area of the Mount Washington State Forest:

http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?z=18...=0&layer=DRG25

There are no designated sites, but there's a flat area off the Ashley Brook trail (between the trail and river) about 1/2 mile north of the junction of the Mt. Frissell trail. Here is a pic from a camp in that area in October a few years ago:

http://hiking.alpinezone.com/00image...tate/camp1.jpg

It's a great place to camp and you can always take a quick run up Brace in NY after setting up camp if you have time. Hope this helps!

[Mike P.]

The view from Brace is as good as any you will find south of the Whites or Adirondacks, well worth the visit.

[Greg]

Originally Posted by Mike P.

The view from Brace is as good as any you will find south of the Whites or Adirondacks, well worth the visit.

I agree. Here's a pic of me up there about three years ago:

[Mike P.]

As good as Greg's picture looks, teh view across to the Catskills is even better....

[Mohamed Ellozy]

Let me join in plugging the south Taconics as an alternative to the AT. I rarely hike in that area, when I went there this spring I was very agreeably surprised.

It looks like we may go with the AT up Bear Mt. The changes in elevation look good for the kids. We will probably finish up with a day hike up Frissel. I remember the views were super from a previous hike! I do not want to push the kids too hard. The other hikes look good for another outing. The loop was beautiful but too long.

Thank you for your help.

Anyone have news on these trail conditions from Salisbury to Bear Mt.

Where is a good place to park in Salisbury?

[Mike P.]

Would the plan then is to go up the AT where it crosses 41 over Lion's Head? Would that be camp between Lion's Head & Bear on day one & then go hit Bear & come back to same camp? On third day hit Round & Frissell, get back to camp & then back to cars?

Where to park? The two lots off of Route 41 to hit Bear are the AT lot (right where the trail crosses the road.) & then at the Undermountain Trailhead. The undermountain lot is bigger & more heavily used. This time of year, likely both would be filled by (before?) 10:00 & openings begin to show around 3:00 PM. I wouldn't want to leave my car on Route 41 on the shoulder for two nights.

If what I described is your intended plans, I'd opt for Round & Frissell on the second day & then Bear on the last day. The best views on Frissell are beyond the summit near the CT highpoint, getting up Round & Frissell requires two pretty steep climbs, especially the Round ascent, it is equal or harder than the trip up the north side of Bear although shorter in length IMO. Bear along the AT is a pretty easy climb from the South which is where you would be approaching from.