In this post there is much foliage to be seen between Greenfield and North Adams, in northwest Massachusetts. You'll see a series of photos, taking mostly along Route 2 going east to west. The effect is that you get to experience the foliage becoming more vibrant with distance west and at higher elevation.
The map below shows Mass. State Route 2. The eastern and western thirds of this section are hilly and windy (the Hoosac Range passing through the town of Florida and vicinity). The middle third, between around Shelburne Falls and the town of Florida, the road flattens out as it follows the Deerfield River. That very sharp spike is the famous hairpin turn at North Adams.
This drive on October 8, 2022, started in Lexington, with its original purpose being an overdue drive in the hills, to also include an also overdue fix of art, at shops, galleries, and/or museum, in the cultured Berkshires.
The foliage was unexpected, not having been out much the week prior. I started taking pictures well east of Greenfield. My mission quickly became foliage focused, as I blew by most art and tourist attractions to make sure I could see foliage at the brightest time of day. Mountain shadows can start to take over early.
Below you see Mt. Wachusett, from Leominster north of approximately Worcester.
The town of Orange.
Somewhere probably around Erving or Greenfield
also Greenfield or to the east. Glimpse of Deerfield River to left of road.
Greenfield, just west of the Interstate 91 interchange. The road ascends not far beyond.
The Bridge of Flowers crosses the Deerfield River in Shelburne Falls, just a mile or two south of Route 2.
Bridge of Flowers (photo from the internet)....
Resuming west....
Drury, Mass. is a village in the town of Florida, Mass. Route 2 steepens again here, following the Cold River a while. The Cold River feeds into the Deerfield River, both flowing eastward.
The Whitcomb Summit lodge is being renovated. The old generation resorts have fallen apart, with signs of rebirth now. There's a large public overlook right off the highway.
A photo of the lodge, from the internet. The lookout tower is now gone.
An even older rendition, from the heyday before air travel.
The Whitcomb Elk is a World War I memorial, bronze from 1923.
A stern warning heralds the descent of Route 2 into North Adams.
The Wigwam Western Summit offers cottages, and has a new cafe and gift shop. It's an example of a newly renovated travel destination.
Contemporary outdoor seating at Wigwam, with clouds casting spectacular shadows.
Finally, the Hairpin Turn before final descent into North Adams.
Natural Bridge State Park is a former marble quarry a mile or two outside downtown North Adams. A stream appears to have cut away rock, but the gap at ground level is so narrow that you can walk across. This video shows the creek just upstream of the natural bridge.
After a spectacular foliage showing, I decided to forgo the art museums. The long drive home involved going south on Route 8, through Pittsfield, Lenox, finally to the Mass. turnpike.
