Monument Mountain (Berkshire County, Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Monument Mountain |
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Devil's Pulpit, Monument Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 1,739 ft (530 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Berkshire County, Massachusetts |
| Parent range | The Berkshires |
| Geology | |
| Mountain type | quartzite |
Monument Mountain is a mountain ridge about 2.5-mile (4.0 km) long. It is made of a type of rock called quartzite. You can find it in Great Barrington and Stockbridge, Massachusetts in an area known as The Berkshires.
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Exploring Monument Mountain
This mountain has a high point of 1,739 feet (530 m). It also has several other distinct peaks, which are like smaller high points. One of the most famous is Squaw Peak, which is a sharp, narrow peak 1,642 feet (500 m) high. Squaw Peak is part of the 503-acre (204 ha) Monument Mountain reservation. This reservation is looked after by an organization called The Trustees of Reservations. Many people visit Monument Mountain each year, with over 20,000 visitors!
Famous Rock Formations
Monument Mountain is home to some interesting rock formations.
Devil's Pulpit
Devil's Pulpit is a tall, thin rock that stands by itself. It is part of Squaw Peak.
Flag Rock
Flag Rock is another cool spot. It's a flat, open rock area on the southwest side of the mountain. From here, you can get a great view overlooking the village of Housatonic.
Hiking Trails and Views
The only official trails on Monument Mountain go up to Squaw Peak. These trails start from a parking area on Massachusetts Route 7, just north of Great Barrington. If you are a member of The Trustees, there is no fee to park. If you are not a member, there is a small parking fee of $5.
As you hike, you might find an unnamed waterfall to the northeast of Squaw Peak along the Hickey Trail.
From the top of Squaw Peak, you can see amazing views! You can look out over the Housatonic River Valley, The Berkshires, the Taconic Mountains, and even the Catskill Mountains in New York.
Water Flow and Rivers
The water that flows off the west side of Monument Mountain goes into the Housatonic River. From there, it eventually reaches Long Island Sound. Water from the east side of the mountain flows into Konkapot Brook, which then also joins the Housatonic River.
