Yokun Ridge facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Yokun Ridge |
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 Location in Massachusetts
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,139 ft (652 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 9 mi (14 km) north-south |
| Geography | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Massachusetts |
| Region | Berkshire County |
| Range coordinates | 42°21′5″N 73°20′16″W / 42.35139°N 73.33778°W |
| Parent range | Taconic Mountains |
| Biome | northern hardwood forest |
| Geology | |
| Orogeny | Taconic orogeny |
| Age of rock | 440 million years |
| Type of rock | thrust fault |
Yokun Ridge is a beautiful ridge in the Taconic Mountains in Berkshire County, Massachusetts. It's made up of several connected peaks, like West Stockbridge Mountain and Lenox Mountain. The name "Yokun Ridge" was first used in 1971 by a group called the Berkshire Natural Resources Council. It became an official name in 2009.
This ridge is about 9 miles (14 km) long. It's a special area for conservation called the Stockbridge-Yokun Ridge Reserve. This reserve was created in 1993 to protect the land. Yokun Ridge is a great place for outdoor fun and has amazing views. It's also close to popular towns like Lenox and Stockbridge.
The ridge stretches across several towns, including West Stockbridge, Stockbridge, Lenox, Richmond, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. About one-third of Yokun Ridge is protected land. This includes nature reserves and areas that protect water sources.
Contents
Exploring Yokun Ridge's Geography
Yokun Ridge has several important peaks. From south to north, these include West Stockbridge Mountain (1,831 feet (558 m) high) and Lenox Mountain (2,139 feet (652 m) high). Other peaks are Yokun Seat (2,133 feet (650 m)), The Damp (1,814 feet (553 m)), and Mahanna Cobble (1,903 feet (580 m)).
Water Features Around the Ridge
Many water bodies are found near Yokun Ridge. These include Lake Averic, Fairfield Pond, and the two Lenox Reservoirs. There's also Shadowbrook Reservoir, which locals sometimes call Monks Pond, and Darey Pond. You can also find small brooks, ponds, and wetlands. A pretty waterfall is located in Stevens Glen on the west side of Lenox Mountain.
Water from the ridge flows in different directions. Some water goes into the Williams River and then into the Housatonic River. Eventually, it reaches Long Island Sound. Other parts of the ridge drain into Richmond Pond or Yokun Brook, also leading to the Housatonic River.
Nearby Landmarks
The Massachusetts Turnpike is located at the southern end of the ridge, near West Stockbridge Mountain. At the northern end, you'll find the Bousquet Ski Area.
The Story Behind the Name "Yokun"
The name Yokun comes from Jehoiakim Yokun. He was a Native American from the Mahican tribe. His name was used for "Yokun Seat," a peak on Lenox Mountain, as early as the 1800s. This name became official in 1894.
How "Yokun Ridge" Got Its Name
George Wislocki, who was the first director of the Berkshire Natural Resources Council, created the name "Yokun Ridge" in 1971. The United States Board on Geographic Names officially accepted this name in 2009. It now refers to the entire 9-mile (14 km) long ridge. This includes peaks like West Stockbridge Mountain, Lenox Mountain, and Mahanna Cobble. Other groups, like the Appalachian Mountain Club and the Massachusetts Audubon Society, also use the name.
A Look Back at Yokun Ridge's History
In the 1740s, Jehoiakim Yokun and another Native American from the Mahican Tribe bought land between Stockbridge and Pittsfield. They paid 12 English pounds for it. The English later acquired this land in the 1750s. Jehoiakim Yokun might have been baptized by the Dutch, as his name "Jehoiakim" is Dutch. He also fought in the French and Indian Wars. His son, Timothy, later fought in the American Revolution. He was part of the Stockbridge Militia and died in battle near what is now Van Cortlandt Park in New York. The village of Lenox was even called "Yokuntown" in the 1700s, named after Yokun.
Early Industries and Estates
European settlers cut down many trees in the area. They used the wood for lumber and to make charcoal. Charcoal was important for nearby iron factories, which made weapons during the American Civil War.
In the late 1800s, during the Gilded Age, much of Yokun Ridge was owned by a few wealthy families. One famous estate was the Stokes property. Their "Shadowbrook Cottage," built in 1894, was said to be the largest house in America at the time. It later became a Catholic seminary and then burned down. The building that replaced it is now the Kripalu Center, a health and yoga retreat.
The American author Nathaniel Hawthorne lived near Yokun Ridge for a short time. He wrote about walking to the top of Baldhead in his book A Wonder-Book for Girls and Boys (1852). He also described Shadow Brook, a small stream in the area.
Growth of Tourism and Conservation
Tourism started to grow in the area, leading to more interest in outdoor activities and protecting nature. In 1929, the Lenox Garden Club created the Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary on Lenox Mountain. This sanctuary is now owned by the Massachusetts Audubon Society. The Bousquet Ski Area opened in 1932 on the north side of the ridge.
In 1934, the New York Philharmonic held summer concerts near West Stockbridge Mountain. Two years later, the Boston Symphony began its summer concerts at nearby Tanglewood. Starting in the 1970s, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council helped highlight the ridge's beauty and recreational potential. They used the name "Yokun Ridge" to show how all the peaks were connected.
Protecting Yokun Ridge: Conservation Efforts
Parts of Yokun Ridge are owned by different groups. These include the non-profit Berkshire Natural Resources Council (BNRC) and the Massachusetts Audubon Society (MAS). The towns of Lenox, Stockbridge, and West Stockbridge also own parts of the ridge.
The Stockbridge-Yokun Ridge Reserve
In 1993, the U.S. Forest Service named the ridge and nearby areas as a conservation planning zone. This area is called the "Stockbridge-Yokun Ridge Reserve." It covers 6,300 acres. This program helps the government buy land or conservation rights to protect natural areas.
By 2000, about 370 acres (1.5 km2) of the reserve had been protected using this program. The northern part of the reserve includes Mud Pond and its wetlands, as well as South Mountain (1,388 feet (423 m)). In December 2010, the Berkshire Natural Resources Council bought 80 acres of land around Mahanna Cobble from the Bousquet Ski Area. This was after two years of talks.
Fun Activities and Recreation
The BNRC manages trails on its Olivia's Lookout property on West Stockbridge and Lenox Mountain. They also maintain a scenic viewpoint along Lenox Road. You can visit Stevens Glen, a waterfall on Lenox Mountain Brook. The Massachusetts Audubon Society (MAS) has many hiking trails at their Pleasant Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Lenox.
Thanks to agreements with towns and private landowners, there's now a trail along the ridgeline. It goes from the southern end of West Stockbridge Mountain to the Bousquet Ski Area. These trails are open for hiking, skiing, and picnicking. Mountain biking is also allowed in some areas.
