Mount Washington State Forest is a
state forest
A state forest or national forest is a forest that is administered or protected by some agency of a sovereign or federated state, or territory.
Background
The precise application of the terms vary by jurisdiction. For example:
* In Australia, ...
in the
Mount Washington
Mount Washington is the highest peak in the Northeastern United States at and the most topographically prominent mountain east of the Mississippi River.
The mountain is notorious for its erratic weather. On the afternoon of April 12, 1934, ...
,
. The forest conjoins with
New York state
New York, officially the State of New York, is a U.S. state, state in the Northeastern United States. It is often called New York State to distinguish it from its largest city, New York City. With a total area of , New York is the List of U.S. ...
and the state of
Connecticut
Connecticut () is the southernmost state in the New England region of the Northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, New York to the west, and Long Island Sound to the south. Its cap ...
in the southern
Taconic Mountains
The Taconic Mountains or Taconic Range () are a range of the Appalachian Mountains, running along the eastern border of New York State and adjacent New England from northwest Connecticut to western Massachusetts, north to central western Vermont. ...
of the southwestern
Berkshire region of Massachusetts. In addition to offering recreational and scenic opportunities, the forest lies adajacent to
Bash Bish Falls State Park. It is managed by the
Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation
The Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is a state agency of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, situated in the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. It is best known for its parks and parkways. The DCR's mission ...
.
[
]
History
The forest was acquired by the state through gifts of Alfred F. Intemann (1897-1986) and his wife Cornelia Van der Smissen Intemann (who died in 1963) conveyed in 1958, 1959, 1961, and 1968.[
]
Features
The forest protects of old growth
An old-growth forestalso termed primary forest, virgin forest, late seral forest, primeval forest, or first-growth forestis a forest that has attained great age without significant disturbance, and thereby exhibits unique ecological feature ...
northern hardwood forest in separate areas.[See the list of old-growth forests in Massachusetts for details.] The tri-state boundary stone on the Mount Frissell Trail marks Massachusett's southwest and Connecticut's northwest corners. The names of Massachusetts and New York are engraved in the stone, while Connecticut is "graffitied" on the granite.
Activities and amenities
The forest has 30 miles of trails including portions of the Appalachian Trail
The Appalachian Trail (also called the A.T.), is a hiking trail in the Eastern United States, extending almost between Springer Mountain in Georgia and Mount Katahdin in Maine, and passing through 14 states.Gailey, Chris (2006)"Appalachian ...
and the South Taconic Trail, which ascends Alander Mountain
Alander Mountain is a prominent peak of the south Taconic Mountains; it is located in southwest Massachusetts and adjacent New York. Part of the summit is grassy and open and part is covered with scrub oak and shrubs; the sides of the mountain ...
. Trails are used for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. The forest also offers restrooms, picnicking, fishing, restricted hunting, and primitive wilderness camping.
References
External links
Mount Washington State Forest
Department of Conservation and Recreation
Mt. Washington State Forest Trail Map
Department of Conservation and Recreation
{{Protected areas of Massachusetts
Massachusetts state forests
State forests of the Appalachians
Old-growth forests
Taconic Mountains
Parks in Berkshire County, Massachusetts
Campgrounds in Massachusetts
Mount Washington, Massachusetts
Protected areas established in 1958
1958 establishments in Massachusetts