Hiking Massachusetts Peaks

Mass Public Peaks rank: #26
Elevation: 2,126 ft.
Prominence: 986 ft.
Isolation: 6.34 miles
Summit coordinates: 42°23’35.4″N 73°18’39.2″W
Town: Richmond, Massachusetts
Conservation Area: Lenox Water Supply Land (summit) and Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

Links:
Lenox Mountain on Peakbagger
Lenox Mountain on ListsofJohn
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary website (including trail map)
Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary on Alltrails

General info: Lenox Mountain, the highest point on Yokun Ridge, has an excellent network of trails and offers great views of the Taconic Range, including Mount Greylock, and even the Catskills on clear days. Straddling the towns of Lenox and Richmond, it is a popular destination for day-hikers exploring Lenox, Lee, Stockbridge, and other iconic Berkshire County towns. Yokun Ridge stretches from the Bousquet Mountain Ski Area in the north to Olivia’s Overlook in the south, featuring numerous subpeaks, diverse terrain, and excellent vistas. One of my favorites is George’s Bench on Mahanna Cobble maintained by the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. It has a meaningful dedication to the first director of the BNRC including an inspiring quote from Thoreau and a fine view south to Monument Mountain. Much of Yokun Ridge lies within the Mass Audubon Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary. The Yokun Ridge Trail traverses this area, guiding hikers over Mahanna Cobble, Yokun’s Seat, and to the summit of Lenox Mountain—each a pleasant destination in its own right.

Historical background: Yokun Ridge, unlike some of the more remote peaks on this list, has had an active an well-documented history. Much could be written. To summarize: Yokun Ridge, named in 1971 by George Wislocki, first director of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, is historically tied to the Mahican tribe. It was named after Mahican leader Jehoiakim Yokun who, in the 1740s, purchased land between Stockbridge and Pittsfield, including this ridge. Jehoiakim is an old Biblical name, though it’s not clear to me whether he adopted it or it was given to him. Yokun’s son enlisted in the Massachusetts militia to fight against the British during the Revolution and apparently Yokun himself became a captain in his son’s regiment–though it seems he was not formally commissioned. Records have him turning up in a number of places during the Revolution–surely there’s an interesting story there.

During the Gilded Age, the Yokun Ridge area was dominated by grand estates, including Shadow Brook. Built in 1893 by financier Anson Phelps Stokes, Shadow Brook later became the home of Andrew Carnegie. Though the estate was destroyed by fire in 1956, the property now houses the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, a renowned retreat for mindfulness and wellness. Nathaniel Hawthorne celebrated the ridge in his 1852 A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys, a retelling of Greek myths for children. Set against the scenic backdrop of Yokun Ridge, the stories blended the region’s natural beauty with timeless myths. By the 20th century, conservation and recreation flourished, with the establishment of Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in 1929 and ski and cultural attractions like Bousquet Ski Area and Tanglewood. Efforts by groups like the Berkshire Natural Resources Council in the 1970s solidified Yokun Ridge as a prominent feature of the Berkshires.

Recommended ascent routes:
Yokun Ridge and Lenox Mountain: This was my route over Yokun Ridge to the summit of Lenox Mountain. I started at the Bousquet Ski Area (plenty of parking). There are lovely hiking trails up to Mahanna Cobble and thence south along the ridge to Yokun Seat (great view) and Lenox Mountain (also a great view). I enjoyed this hike very much, one of the best on this list. 7 miles and about 1,600 feet elevation gain.

Nearby Mass 50 Highest Public Peaks: The only listed peak near Lenox Mountain is Lenox Mountain South. As mentioned, I approached Lenox Mountain from the north via Mahanna Cobble, which was a great route with several excellent views. One could certainly push on to Lenox Mountain South and double back in one trip, but it would be a very long one. Alternatively, if one wanted to summit both in one go, a more efficient route would be to park at Olivia’s Overlook at the southern end of the ridge and hike to Lenox South and then on to Lenox Mountain (and then perhaps on to Yokun’s Seat which really should not be missed).

Click photos to enlarge: