Mount Fitch (Massachusetts) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Fitch |
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Sign at the summit of Mount Fitch, photographed in July, 2012
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 3,110 ft (950 m) |
| Geography | |
| Location | Berkshire County, Massachusetts |
| Parent range | Greylock Range |
Mount Fitch is a mountain in Massachusetts, standing tall as the third-highest peak in the state. It reaches about 3,110 feet (948 meters) into the sky. This mountain is part of a ridge that connects two other peaks: Mount Greylock to its south and Mount Williams to its north.
Mount Fitch is located in the northwest part of the Town of Adams, which is in Berkshire County. The very top of the mountain is covered in trees. It's also quite close to the famous Appalachian Trail, a long hiking path that stretches across the eastern United States. Even though it's near the trail, Mount Fitch's summit is not easy to find. There isn't a clear path or signs leading hikers directly to the top. Because of this, and because the summit doesn't offer wide views, not many people visit it. However, there is a special wooden sign at the very top for those who do make the journey!
Who Was Mount Fitch Named After?
Mount Fitch gets its name from a person named Ebenezer Fitch. He was an important leader at Williams College in nearby Williamstown, Massachusetts. Mr. Fitch served as the president of the college from 1793 to 1815.
Even though the mountain is named after him, it's not as well-known as some other peaks. In 1953, a writer named R.R.R. Brooks wrote about the history of Williamstown. He mentioned that many local people didn't even know the difference between Mount Williams and Mount Fitch. This shows how Mount Fitch has often been a hidden gem among the mountains.
Protecting the Summit
In 1947, some local people, Dr. Joseph Wilk and Bartlett Hendricks, helped stop trees from being cut down at the very top of Mount Fitch. This was important because it helped keep the mountain's summit natural and overgrown with trees, just as it is today.
Geography and Nearby Mountains
Mount Fitch is part of the Greylock Range, a group of mountains in Massachusetts. From certain viewpoints, you can see Mount Fitch alongside its neighbors. For example, from Petersburg Pass, you can spot Mount Williams, Mount Fitch, and the much taller Mount Greylock. These mountains create a beautiful landscape in the region.
To learn more about the land, rocks, and plants around Mount Fitch, you can look up information about Mount Greylock. Many of the natural features are similar for both mountains.
