Hiking Massachusetts Peaks

Mass Public Peaks rank: #39
Elevation: 1,847 feet
Prominence: 217 feet
Isolation: 1.1 miles
Summit coordinates: 42°21’56.6″N 73°18’59.9″W
Town: Lenox, Massachusetts
Conservation Area: Yokun South Ridge Reserve

Links:
Lenox Mountain South on Peakbagger
Yokun Ridge Reserve website (including trail map)
Yokun Ridge South Reserve on Alltrails

General info: Lenox Mountain South, an unofficially named peak, is part of the Lenox Mountain ridge in the Berkshire Hills of western Massachusetts. While it is technically a subpeak of Lenox Mountain, the ridge’s highpoint, it has enough prominence by this site’s standards to be considered an independent summit. It lies within October Mountain State Forest, the largest state forest in Massachusetts, spanning over 16,500 acres. The mountain forms the southern end of the Lenox Mountain ridgeline, which extends north toward Lenox Mountain and Yokun Ridge. South Lenox Mountain is less frequently hiked than its northern counterpart, Lenox Mountain. It offers quieter trails and scenic woodlands. The forested summit does not have extensive open vistas, but several trails on its slopes lead to overlooks with panoramic views of the Housatonic Valley, the Taconic Range, and even the Catskills on clear days.

Historical background: The Lenox Mountain area, including Lenox Mountain South, lies within the ancestral lands of the Mohican people, who lived along the Housatonic River and used these hills for hunting and seasonal travel. The Mohicans were gradually displaced by European settlers in the early 1700s, and by the mid-18th century, the area was being farmed and logged by colonial homesteaders. During the 19th century, the slopes of Lenox Mountain South were heavily logged for timber and charcoal production, fueling iron furnaces in nearby Lee and Lenox Dale. By the early 20th century, much of the mountain’s forests had been cut down, but conservation efforts led to reforestation. In 1922, October Mountain State Forest was established, preserving large tracts of forest, including Lenox Mountain South, and allowing the landscape to recover. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) played a major role in the area’s restoration during the 1930s, planting trees, building fire roads, and improving trails throughout October Mountain State Forest. Today, thanks to these conservation efforts, Lenox Mountain South and the surrounding forest have regrown into a thriving ecosystem.

Recommended ascent routes:
Olivia’s Overlook to Lenox Mountain South via Burbank Trail: This was my route to Lenox Mountain South, about 3.9 miles and 640 feet of elevation gain. The parking area at Olivia’s Overlook is fairly large but also attracts a lot of visitors from nearby Lenox so it gets busy on a nice day. The ascent along the ridgeline is gradual and rarely strenuous. The Burbank Overlook along the way is nice. The wooded highpoint of Lenox South is fairly humble–a bit of bedrock protruding from the ground right along a narrow side-trail–but the quiet, secluded setting makes for a peaceful pause before heading back or continuing along the ridge. If you’re following my route, a note of caution: I thought I’d save a little time at the end by heading for Richmond Mountain Road. That was a mistake–fast traffic on a curvy road and no shoulder to walk on (guardrails). Stick to the Burbank Trail all the way back.

Nearby Mass 50 Highest Public Peaks: Lenox Mountain, the true highpoint of the ridgeline, is about 2.5 miles north of Lenox Mountain South and easily paired in a single hike. A 20 minute drive north from Olivia’s Overlook will bring you to Pittsfield State Forest and the several listed peaks there–the closest of which being Holy Mount and Shaker Mountain.