This year, I decided to start my leaf-peeping season early by heading out to Western Massachusetts to experience the fall colors at Mt. Greylock. Known for its rich history, sweeping vistas, and vibrant seasonal hues, Mt. Greylock stands as the highest point in Massachusetts, rising to 3,491 feet. Being in the Berkshires, it holds a certain mystique during autumn, especially in the early days when the leaves just start to turn. It was the perfect place to kick off the season and ease into the gradual, brilliant transformation of New England’s landscape.
Setting out from the valley below, the drive up to the peak immediately immersed me in the first signs of fall. Hints of gold and orange dotted the trees alongside Route 7, foreshadowing the full-color explosion that would unfold in the weeks to come. This early in the season, the colors were just starting to spread across the mountainside, with patches of fiery reds and amber mixed among lush greens, creating a beautiful contrast that felt both lively and calm.
The winding roads leading up to the summit of Mt. Greylock are a treat in themselves. Each bend revealed a new perspective, the view changing from valley floors to wide-open stretches overlooking the Berkshires. I made a few stops along the way to soak in the landscape from various viewpoints, feeling a sense of calm as I gazed out over the patchwork quilt of early fall colors. The air was crisp but not yet cold, carrying the faint scent of dry leaves, pine, and moss, a smell that only seems to emerge during those first days of autumn.
One of my favorite stops was the Greylock Glen, a lesser-known but incredibly peaceful spot near the base of the mountain. Nestled among fields and woodlands, the Glen felt like a hidden pocket of tranquility. The foliage here was still in its early stages, with golden-yellow leaves just starting to coat the trees. This time of year, the colors are softer, lending the landscape an almost watercolor quality, with mist rising off the fields in the morning light. A quick walk around the area led me to small streams trickling through the forest, reflecting bits of color and sky. It was a perfect prelude to the climb up to the summit.
As I continued upward, the foliage became more pronounced. Trees at higher elevations tend to turn sooner, and the landscape shifted from late-summer green to rich reds, deep purples, and rusted oranges. One of the advantages of going to Mt. Greylock early in the season is that the crowds are thinner, and the views feel more personal and intimate. I could take my time exploring the different overlooks without jostling for space, making each stop feel like my own little discovery.
Reaching the summit, I was greeted by the iconic War Memorial Tower, which stands as a tribute to Massachusetts veterans and adds a striking presence against the landscape. The 93-foot tower looked majestic against the backdrop of changing leaves, its pale stone standing out amid the early-season colors. Climbing the tower’s spiral staircase, I reached the top and took in the sweeping, panoramic views of four states: Massachusetts, New York, Vermont, and Connecticut. The sight was stunning, with layers of rolling hills and mountains dotted with bursts of fall color extending into the distance.
Standing at the top, I could see how early autumn was gradually taking hold of the valley below, spreading from treetop to treetop. In some areas, the trees were just starting to blush with color, while in others, the transformation was already well underway. The view from Mt. Greylock has a timeless quality; it’s easy to imagine Thoreau’s words about the mountains as you stand there, feeling connected to the natural beauty that has drawn people to these heights for centuries.
One of the most beautiful parts of an early fall visit to Mt. Greylock is the mix of colors and the textures created by the trees at different stages of change. While the hardwoods burst into color, some evergreens maintain their deep greens, providing a rich contrast that makes the colors even more striking. The morning light added a golden glow, casting long shadows across the ridges and valleys, accentuating the layers of color. At one point, I noticed the flight of a hawk circling above, a lone figure gliding through the crisp autumn air—a reminder of the wild, unspoiled nature of this mountain.
On the way back down, I stopped by a few of the trailheads to get a closer look at the foliage up close. Hiking even a short distance off the main road provided a fresh perspective, with canopies overhead shading the trails in soft golden light and fallen leaves creating a gentle rustle underfoot. Some of the trails led to small brooks and rocky outcroppings, where the first fallen leaves had gathered, turning the ground into a colorful mosaic. This close to the forest floor, I could see the early-season colors with an almost painterly quality, each leaf a different shade of red, orange, or yellow.
One last stop before heading back was Bascom Lodge, a rustic stone lodge built in the 1930s that offers a warm place to relax after a day on the mountain. Inside, the lodge had a cozy, vintage charm with its wooden beams, stone fireplace, and panoramic windows that overlook the autumnal landscape. I sipped on a cup of cider, enjoying the comfort of the lodge and watching the leaves outside fluttering in the breeze. There’s something about those first glimpses of fall that feel nostalgic, like a hint of the season yet to come, and Bascom Lodge perfectly captured that feeling.
Visiting Mt. Greylock in early fall reminded me of why I love this season so much. While it’s just the beginning of the autumn transformation, there’s a beauty in the anticipation, in watching the subtle changes as the landscape shifts from one season to the next. The early foliage season is a time of gentle colors and soft light, a prelude to the full vibrancy of peak autumn, and Mt. Greylock offers the perfect vantage point to experience it. If you’re looking to savor the early signs of fall in a place that feels both grand and intimate, I can’t recommend this drive enough. For me, it was the perfect start to the season, a journey into nature’s slow, vibrant embrace.
Happy Travels!
<3 Ann
Comments closed