Watch for Ticks When Hiking Mount Greylock This Summer

With summer here, there are many fun things to do in the Berkshires. While I haven't been there in a little while, I enjoy going to Mount Greylock.

It's not just the beauty that Mount Greylock boasts; it's the nostalgia that comes along with it. I've lived in Berkshire County my entire life, and for many years, when I was a youngster, my dad would take my friends and me on the Mount Greylock Ramble during the three-day holiday weekend in October.

The ramble was and is so much fun, as you get to hike to the summit and enjoy autumn in the Berkshires in all its beauty. The view from the summit of autumn is absolutely breathtaking. If you have never hiked the Ramble, you need to at least try it once in your life. It's an experience you'll cherish for years to come.

While exploring Mount Greylock is a favorite attraction in Berkshire County, the summit gets many visitors in the summer as well. One thing you need to watch for when you're going to Mount Greylock, especially if you're hiking the trails, is ticks.

As you probably already know, tick activity is way up in Massachusetts and the northeast in general this year. As a result, emergency room visits due to tick bites have been at an increase as well.

I bring up the tick subject because World Atlas released a list of tick infested ares in Massachusetts, and Mount Greylock landed on that list. World Atlas states that areas such as the Hopper Trail approach, the Appalachian Trail segments crossing the reservation, and backcountry access routes near Adams and Lanesborough frequently produce the most tick encounters during the warmer months of the year. Other areas around the summit are prone to tick activity, which you can read more about here.

Enjoy and take in the beauty of Mount Greylock this summer and autumn, just make sure you dress appropriately, stay covered up, and use insect repellents that contain DEET. You can find more tick prevention tips by going here.