D a n M o r g a n
From left , inside the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center . Many of the Glen ' s trails interconnect with Mount Greylock State Reservation ' s trail system , which features the Veterans War Memorial Tower . Hiking the Glen is filled with many photo-taking moments .
A n a s t a s i a S t a n m e y e r
A n a s t a s i a S t a n m e y e r
GREYLOCK GLEN
B y T a y l o r S t a u b a c h
As you make the drive into Adams , the mountains seem to perch on your shoulders . On a clear day , your gaze is drawn to the tall grey globe of the Veterans War Memorial Tower , sprouting like a tree out of Mount Greylock ’ s 3,941-foot summit . The highest point in Massachusetts , Mount Greylock draws as many as 250,000 visitors annually . Yet , far below the lofty pinnacle lies a lesser-known treasure : Greylock Glen , a serene cache of woodlands and meadows that has struggled to find its place in the mountain ’ s shadow . The Glen ’ s 1,063 acres , leased by the town of Adams from the state , link directly to Mount Greylock ’ s sprawling 25,000- acre state reservation and is adjacent to other conserved lands , a continuity that creates a vital corridor for wildlife . “ Having these big conserved lands can help wildlife populations shift northward ,” says Nicaela Haig , senior teacher naturalist and public programs coordinator with Mass Audubon . “ Large tracks of contiguous lands are essential for having a resilient landscape and maintaining biodiversity in the climate crisis .” A long history of attempts to develop
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parts of Greylock Glen marks its evolution and environment . Once an 18-hole golf course in the early 1970s and an abandoned ski resort , the landscape ’ s history now underpins its future as a community-focused outdoor haven . With last October ’ s opening of the Greylock Glen Outdoor Center — a 9,000 square-foot , net-zero building designed to educate and inspire — the oft-overlooked parcel at the eastern foot of Mount Greylock is poised to become a nexus for recreation , education , and conservation , a place where the land ’ s past informs and enriches its present purpose . Michael Wynn , executive director of the freshly unveiled center , says the focus has always been to create a place for all . “ We ’ ve worked hard to ensure this is a place where families , individuals , and groups can immerse themselves in nature , no matter their experience ,” he says . Outside the center , the main trail — Glen Meadow Loop — is a 1.5-mile flat , wide stone path that winds along weeping willows and young forest of birch and aspen , all under the watchful gaze of Mount Greylock . It boasts an impressive patchwork of habitats — young forests , transitional wetlands , and what Haig calls “ cultural grasslands ,” landscapes once created for a specific commercial purpose ( in this case , the golf course )— that have been reclaimed by the natural landscape . In part because of their scattershot former lives , these ecosystems attract a stunning variety of flora and fauna , making it a popular spot for nature enthusiasts . “ The Glen ’ s unique blend of habitats supports a wide range of species , from insects to birds — over 120 species alone ,” Haig notes . “ Each habitat creates its own dynamic system right on the side of this really accessible trail . It ’ s an amazing educational tool . Whether you are interested in birding , mushrooms , or mammals , it ’ s right in front of you .” Mass Audubon ’ s journey to Greylock Glen began when the conservation organization was the sole respondent to a request for proposal ( RFP ) in October 2023 . Appointed by the town of Adams , Mass Audubon became the official environmental education partner at the center , providing various free and fee-based nature programs for all ages . Last fall ’ s open house gathered input from visitors with suggestions ranging from kid-friendly