Misery Mountain, 2,671 feet (814 m), with at least ten well-defined summits, is a prominent 6 mi (9.7 km) long ridgeline in the Taconic Mountains of western Massachusetts and adjacent New York. The west side of the mountain is located in New York; the east side and high point lie within Massachusetts. The summit ridge is part meadow and part wooded with red spruce, balsam fir, and northern hardwood tree species. It is notable for its views of the Hudson River Valley to the west. The 35 mi (56 km) Taconic Crest Trail traverses the crest of the ridgeline, but does not cross the summit.
| Misery Mountain | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 2,671 ft (814 m)ridge high point |
| Parent peak | 42° 39' 20"N, 73° 17' 56"W (NAD83/WGS84) |
| Coordinates | High point: 42°36′52″N 73°18′40″W / 42.61444°N 73.31111°W Ridgeline: 42°35′11″N 73°19′57″W / 42.58639°N 73.33250°W to 42°39′20″N 73°17′56″W / 42.65556°N 73.29889°W |
| Geography | |
| Location | Berkshire County, Massachusetts and Rensselaer County, New York |
| Parent range | Taconic Mountains |
| Geology | |
| Rock age | Ordovician |
| Mountain type(s) | Thrust fault; metamorphic rock |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Taconic Crest Trail |
Geography
editThe subordinate summits of Misery Mountain do not have names with the exception of the southernmost peak, 2,440 feet (740 m) referred to as Bill's Lunch in popular hiking guides. The highest points of Misery Mountain traversed by the Taconic Crest Trail are the unnamed northern summit 2,646 feet (807 m) and a false summit, 2,611 feet (796 m), located 3,800 feet (1,200 m) west of the ridge high point. Portions of the upper slopes and summit are within protected conservation land.
Misery Mountain is located within the New York towns of Stephentown and Berlin and the Massachusetts towns of Hancock and Williamstown. The Taconic ridge continues south as Rounds Mountain and north as Berlin Mountain. Misery Mountain is flanked to the east by Brodie Mountain. The northwest side of Misery Mountain drains into the Little Hoosic River, thence into the Hoosic River, the Hudson River, and New York Harbor. The southwest side drains into West Brook, Kinderhook Creek, thence the Hudson River; the southeast side into Kinderhook Creek. The northeast side drains into the West Branch of the Green River, the Green River, thence the Hoosic River.
References
edit- Massachusetts Trail Guide (2004). Boston: Appalachian Mountain Club.