Fall Foliage Photos from the Mohawk Trail in Massachusetts

This past Sunday we drove up to Massachusetts and took the Mohawk Trail from the beginning right to the edge of New York state.The leave have almost gone by but there was still enough color to enjoy. If you go you probably have about one more week of color and there is more color in the lower elevations near than at the top near North Adams. We found out that we should definitely visit this area the first weekend in October next year to view the leaves at their peak.

We visit A Notion to Quilt fabric and quilt shop where they were having an annual shopping event. We bought some raffle tickets to win a fabulous quilt and ate complimentary homemade cookies and had cider. This is a wonderful shop with more rooms than you have time to checkout. They have finished quilts on every wall, classes you can sign up for, and 2 full-size quilting machines if you need a quilt finished.

We stopped along the road to take in the scenery. On this stop, right near the entrance of the Mohawk Trail State Forest and Park, we saw the rushing, cascading water of the Cold River.

The roads are winding and sometimes fast going down so make sure to take care in driving them. They are wide enough though so there is nothing to be worried about.

You will see lots of white birch trees all over this area and they are just beautiful.

If you follow the Mohawk Trail, Route 2, all the way to North Adams you will come to the top of the mountain when you will see a sign that reads, Hairpin Turn. This is definitely true as the road does a complete U turn. Right where the road turns is a restaurant you can stop at called the Gold Eagle. You can stand there and look over the mountain floor and the breathtaking views. They also have those stationery binoculars you pay 25 cent to use and help you see across the valley.

This is where these pictures and video were taken.

We then drove down the mountain and through North Adams to get to Route 8. This is a view of North Adams. If you have time you might want to stop into the MASS MoCA or the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art

Just a few weeks before I bet it was breathtaking but still, all in all, a beautiful view.

If you are going on this Mohawk Trail ride you may want to follow this Loop. You get the most out of your day this way.

It’s about an hour drive but you will stop along the way so prepare for 2 hours or more, depending on if you eat.

You will go through: Williamstown, Charlemont, Shelburne Falls, Greenfield, Drury, Savoy Center, Adams, and North Adams

General Driving Directions:

• From I-91 get onto Route 2, which is the Mohawk Trail.
• Continue until you get to the top which is Whitcomb Summit (elevation 2,173 feet).
• We went down to North Adams and then got on Route  8 South. Be careful or you may  miss the sign. When you see the church above you know the sign is closeby. We got a little lost because we missed the sign so the picture of the church you see is us coming back to get onto Route 8. When you come into North Adams the church will be on your left and you won’t see the front, only the side.
• Onto to 2 West and back down to I-91.