View Full Version : East Mountain Retreat Center
Former Admin
10-19-2002, 13:28
Comments, experiences, opinions, related to East Mountain Retreat Center.
fancyfeet
02-16-2003, 23:19
The hostel is very nice, if you can stand a little weirdness. I found it to be very restful. There is a hiker lounge with books, a couch, a bathroom with shower and laundry. The rooms are very peaceful and clean (yes, I said rooms). It wasn't very busy when I was there, so I had my own room. There's even a phone to call for pizza delivery (very good pizza). The only odd note was the woman who runs it, but I happen to find eccentrics along the trail only enhance my experience. Word to the wise - don't go there if you are rowdy, she insists on quiet - it is after all a spiritual retreat... Oh yeah, and you have to be up early. She has you out at 8 am. Have fun.
Its a great retreat from one of the buggiest places on the AT. The mosqitoes in this area are unbeliveably bad. It was so bad in 2000, that if you opened the door to the retreat center even momentarily, about 20 mosqitoes would fly inside. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
B Thrash
10-04-2003, 20:22
My hiking partner and I spent two nights at the East Mountain Retreat waiting out the hurricane. We were given the rules of staying there and we abided by them. This is a silent retreat where you do not speak to the guest, you can nod to them but do not speak. When we wanted to talk to each other we could whisper but no loud talking. My partner and I was caught climbing Roan in 1996 when Hurricane Opal hit and I was glad to be able to get in out of the rain, limbs and trees falling at any shelter on this trip.
Funny you mention staying two nights here. I didn't stay here, however Miles to Go and Goose, trailfriends of mine stayed here and intended to take a zero there spending two nights. The woman who runs the place told them it was customary for hikers to only stay one day and suggested that they move on and continue their journey. They didnt break any rules or anything. I'd move on and take a rest at Upper Goose Pond Cabin, for anyone who may be looking for a break in this area.
Cedar Tree
01-16-2004, 07:12
I stayed here on my hike in 2000. I thought it was wonderful, great stop. I was alone there too, so I had the whole place to myself. I wasn't feeling well either, so (I can't remember her name, I want to say Rev. Rose?) let me sleep late, and then hang around resting and napping until 4:00 the next afternoon, at no extra charge. She let me use her phone a lot too, and even drove me back to the trail that afternoon. On my way there I missed the trail to the center and had to walk along the road a ways before getting a hitch to the center. Cedar Tree
B Thrash
01-16-2004, 19:48
Funny you mention staying two nights here. I didn't stay here, however Miles to Go and Goose, trailfriends of mine stayed here and intended to take a zero there spending two nights. The woman who runs the place told them it was customary for hikers to only stay one day and suggested that they move on and continue their journey. They didnt break any rules or anything. I'd move on and take a rest at Upper Goose Pond Cabin, for anyone who may be looking for a break in this area.
A-Train
One night is the limit at East Mountain Retreat. The reason that the Rev Lois Love let us stay an extra night was a hurricane was to hit in that part of the country that night, she said if any other hikers come in we would need to be on our way, they would have priority. This is a very decent place to stay, bed, phone, washer and dryer, reading material. Just one thing, this is a silent retreat and you must be quite.
JojoSmiley
01-18-2004, 11:11
I stayed here in 2002 and was treated really well. The amenities were great and Rev. Lois was quite helpful and genial. I spent a day off but went into town for a bit during the day. Not speaking to guests was different but ok. I would reccomend the retreat to anyone.
Savor the Moments! :clap
hikerltwt
01-18-2004, 13:01
No one mentioned how far off the trail that retreat is. It is a LONG walk. Once there I was rewarded with a nice stay and the pastor even brought me ice cream back from town. It is a highly structured establishment which could be a bit of a shock for freewheeling thru-hikers though.
TakeABreak
09-02-2004, 19:04
The retreat is a nice place, and she treat well also. One thing about getting there is that up until the srping of 2001 there was a blue blaze off the A.T., about 1/2 past Tom Leonard Lean-to going north. Apparently a ridge runner took upon themselve to enforce the official A.T. rules of no blue blaze trails on the A.T. to private business. I volunteered at the A.T.C. for 2 week in 2000, and contacted perople there abou this and they said they were aware what happened and could not ernterfere since they were simply enforcing the rules. This one of those catch 22 situations, they can not allow one facility to have it's blue blaze trail to it's location and not allow others. Although we all know that some do exist, officially they can not be recognized for fear of lawsuits by those that for one reason or another were not officially recognized.
jackiebolen
09-02-2004, 20:05
The East Mountain Retreat Center was great. I was there when I got stricken with Ehrlichiosis, my tick disease. Rev. Rose was very kind and helpful, driving me to the hospital, pharmacy etc. She is a very nice lady, you just have to follow her rules! If you don't like a few, easy to follow rules then definitely stay away.
I spent two nights there in late may. I had a good time, she has alot of nice books. There wasn't anything too strange going on when I was there. If I were to do it again, I would have zeroed at upper goose pond instead. Make sure you follow the rules.
Stayed at E Mt Retreat Center nites of 14 Jan and again 16 Jan 2006 after a nite at Wilcox S Shelter and a change of plans with weather conditions. Rev Lois Rose is a gem. She picked me up at the bus stop in Great Barrington and gave me a lift there again on my return. The center was clean and comfortable, beautifully situated, and very economical in a somewhat upscale town. Books on Kabbala (Gershon Scholem) and Gnostic Gospels (Elaine Pagels) reflect a decidedly inquiring atmosphere. -- Walt
jackiebolen
01-20-2006, 16:55
That is where my hike in 2004 came to an end. I got to the center feeling great one day and the the next was in the hospital feeling the effects of a tick-bite. Lois was awesome, she phoned the hospital for me, drove me there, picked me up, took me to the pharmacy, etc, etc. She let me stay for 4 nights I think until I was feeling like I could travel and make my way home.
She does have rules but she also has a lot of compassion for people who need a little help.
swamp dawg
01-20-2006, 17:23
We stayed there in early May of 2004 and found it to be a super place to crash as long as you follow the rules. We had a bounce box shipped there and the staff gaves us proper shipping instructions prior to our arrival because of possible ice conditions that may have delayed our package. We were given use of the washer, dryer and phone as long as you have a pnone card. Great shower can't complain.
neighbor dave
01-20-2006, 17:25
stayed there once in 2001 and once in 2005. i'll never stay there again.
She is definitely into rules. I was there with Don Owen of the AT NPS office. She let us stay two nights in October (it was raining like hell all week) while we did some trail survey stuff between Fernside Rd and Rt 41. Nice place for quiet contemplation (more so than many AT shelters).
The side trail not only was illegally cut through NPS and Mass State Forest lands, but also through private land too. It did make some geographical sense, as it bypassed a one mile road walk, and a very long driveway to her property. She was really pissed at us for closing it.
But we really can't have folks just go ahead and make a trail. Who would maintain the trail? Do they have the skills? Who would be liable for injury on the trail, especially if it were not maintained to ATC standards? Does the trail go through areas with rare plant or animal habitat? Who's to say Joe's retreat can have a side trail, but Sam's can't? Trails aren't free, every mile has some costs associated with it. Fortunately for us, the AT has a solid corps of dedicated volunteers who bear a large part of those costs--by dontating their time.
Cosmo
Jack Tarlin
01-21-2006, 13:30
In my Article on Re-Supply/Lodging I wasn't very kind to this place; I believe I said that it didn't enjoy a reputation for friendliness.
In light of the many positive comments above, I'll be revising that description.
It now sounds to me that if hikers are aware of what this facility is all about, realize it's not a traditional hostel, and is not a party place, then it seems like a perfectly good spot to spend a night.
Doesn't sound like my kinda place, but for others it might be just what they need.
wow looks like a great place:cool: neo
http://www.eastretreat.org/
Blue Jay
01-21-2006, 21:18
stayed there once in 2001 and once in 2005. i'll never stay there again.
The best piece of news I've heard in a very long time.
The Retreat Center was what I needed at the time. I have fond memories of the place. http://trailjournals.com/entry.cfm?id=87024
neighbor dave
01-23-2006, 13:57
The best piece of news I've heard in a very long time.
you must live a really miserable life if that's the best news you've heard in a long time.... dip****:bse
ARambler
01-23-2006, 14:50
She is definitely into rules. I was there with Don Owen of the AT NPS office. She let us stay two nights in October (it was raining like hell all week) while we did some trail survey stuff between Fernside Rd and Rt 41. Nice place for quiet contemplation (more so than many AT shelters).
The side trail not only was illegally cut through NPS and Mass State Forest lands, but also through private land too. It did make some geographical sense, as it bypassed a one mile road walk, and a very long driveway to her property. She was really pissed at us for closing it.
But we really can't have folks just go ahead and make a trail. Who would maintain the trail? Do they have the skills? Who would be liable for injury on the trail, especially if it were not maintained to ATC standards? Does the trail go through areas with rare plant or animal habitat? Who's to say Joe's retreat can have a side trail, but Sam's can't? Trails aren't free, every mile has some costs associated with it. Fortunately for us, the AT has a solid corps of dedicated volunteers who bear a large part of those costs--by dontating their time.
Cosmo
Who's "definately into rules", Cosmo??? But that's a different subject.
I know there are couple of options I missed, but except for a cold shower at Graymore, this is the only place I had a shower between Vernon, NJ and Dalton, MA in either 2004 or 2005. Also, MA had the most bugs the last two years, and I was glad I only had to stay outside in one campsite. This is not a standard or even ideal hostel (distance from trail, restrained setting, other facilities etc). In 2005, Lois reported that the pizza delivery service had deteriorated.:mad:
I can still highly recommend it.
Rambler
[QUOTE=ARambler]Who's "definately into rules", Cosmo??? But that's a different subject.
I was referring the the proprietress--but it could be self-descriptive, I suppose....
Cosmo
Where exactly is this located, mile # heading NOBo?
Where exactly is this located, mile # heading NOBo?
About 6 miles north of the Housatonic River near Great Barrington, MA. Twenty miles south of Upper Goose Pond Cabin.
gravityman
01-26-2006, 12:53
In my Article on Re-Supply/Lodging I wasn't very kind to this place; I believe I said that it didn't enjoy a reputation for friendliness.
In light of the many positive comments above, I'll be revising that description.
It now sounds to me that if hikers are aware of what this facility is all about, realize it's not a traditional hostel, and is not a party place, then it seems like a perfectly good spot to spend a night.
Doesn't sound like my kinda place, but for others it might be just what they need.
Just to add to the good comments, we really enjoyed our short stay there. It was a very cold and rainy day (which you would think we were excited for since it had been so hot, but we were chilled) and we found the place to be nice, quite and relaxing. It's far from food, but there is delivery, and the lady was very nice. Just mind the rules, and it is a good place to stay. It certainly isn't the normal hostel, but it's a cheap shower and room in an expensive area.
It certainly isn't the place to use your "thruhiker entitlement" attitude though!
Gravity
Where exactly is this located, mile # heading NOBo?
I started on the trail from the hostel, so all I can tell you is that the Rt 23 AT trail head is a 1 1/2 mi walk more or less N from the hostel. The first half mile is on the hostel access drive; this intersects RT 23 at an almost 3-way intersection with Lake Buel Rd, Rt 23, and the E Mt Retreat Access Road, and you turn right off the Access Road N onto RT 23 and walk one mile further along the shoulder. The AT Guide map shows another route, from the AT intersection with Lake Buel Rd, but I didn't use it.
Walt
Sparkplug
01-29-2006, 14:13
Snowman and I stayed there this past July when Snowman's back was acting up. It was an unexpected stop, but we appreciated that it was there, and although it was kind of interesting/weird to have a hostel at a silent retreat, it was a perfectly fine place to spend the night. Due to the fact that the hostel operates a silent retreat on the property, there are several rules that they ask you follow, but there was a washer/dryer, shower, phone at certain hours of the night (but only then), and the option to order out pizza from a place in G. Barrington. There was no kitchen, however. Snowman says it was weird, just because it wasn't your typical hostel situation, but overall, I was happy we were able to crash there when we needed to.
Draftrunner, Spiderman, and I stayed there in 2003 with a lot of good to say by all of us. She does make it clear that it's a place to REST and not to party and she asks to you refrain from making contact with any of the other guests there and definitely NOT to speak to them if you do happen to run across one. She isn't a gushing hostess but she isn't unpleasant to deal with either. I was more than a little surprised that there was a hiker hostel there at all since this seems to be a very affluent retreat and they don't make any money from what they offer for the few hikers that do stay there. The accomodations are extremely clean to a fault, I felt like I was staying at the maid's quarters at some rich person's mansion, or maybe a spare guest house.
She also offered us bicycles to ride down to town on which worked out great and it was an easy ride to town, all downhill. Unfortunately, its all uphill coming back! And as someone said it is a bit off the trail. Don't get off the trail where the book tell you to get here however. If you look on the map there is a road junction much closer to the retreat than the one they say to use. I recall the driveway itself being the longest part of getting there, a good 2/3rds of a mile, gravel road, all uphill. Still worth it.
In my Article on Re-Supply/Lodging I wasn't very kind to this place; I believe I said that it didn't enjoy a reputation for friendliness.
In light of the many positive comments above, I'll be revising that description.
It now sounds to me that if hikers are aware of what this facility is all about, realize it's not a traditional hostel, and is not a party place, then it seems like a perfectly good spot to spend a night.
Doesn't sound like my kinda place, but for others it might be just what they need.
I stayed there with my buddy for 2 nights in 2002. I enjoyed my time there. We had showers, food delivered(spaghetti and meatballs), use of refrigerator, microwave over, phone, beer, semi private accommodiations. nice and quiet. $10 per night. Yea, you were not supposed to speak to the guest as they had some kind of vow of silence while there. But , I can live with that. If you meet one of the guests, you can nod to them and even give them a polite smile but don't to speak to them. In 3 days/2 nights we never met any of them. We just kept to ourselves.
Only complaint was about the blue blazed trail out to the AT. It was hard to follow and uphill too, but we managed.
Panzer
Spiritual Pillgrim
07-02-2006, 13:12
I ducked in here to get out of the downpour which started on my head at 3 a.m. while cowboy camping about 5 miles (I think) short of the rd leading to the hostel. Like every hostel I've been to, it met my needs. Mainly a hot shower, bed and laundry. I think the only "bad" hostels are brought on by the attitude of the user.
how far off the trail is it
I think it's a mile of roadwalking and then another 1/2 mile up the seemingly neverending driveway.
how far off the trail is it
Yeah, that's right, it's 1 1/2 miles altogether to the AT Trailhead at Rt 23. You walk 1/2 mi along a gravel drive through the woods, then about a mile N to the AT parking lot. Actually, I snowshoed it in a storm. The place is a retreat, it has a sense of being hidden away.
Walt
I stayed there with a friend for 2 nights in 2001. We had a very good time. Found the place to be clean and comfortable. They had a phone and menus for local restaurants and was able to order spaghetti and meatball dinner from the Pizza joint. We had a double room with bath/microwave/small refrigerator. $10 a night. After the first night there we decided to slack the second day. We left our gear there and slacked for 7.5 miles + 1 mile a blue blaze trail. We were the only hikers there at that time and we didn't see any retreat guests.
Spoke to the retreat lady only once which was on 9/20/01. She/we were very upset about the 9/11 attack in New York city. I told her that the country would go to war over this attack and she became a little upset about the prospect of a war. Maybe I shouldn't have said that to a person of peace like her. But we were on the trail during the attack and had a different perspective then people who were not on the trail and who had access to more info than us.
Panzer
GoldenBear
08-07-2012, 17:46
The Eastern Mountain Retreat Center is still a GREAT place to spend ONE night -- but ONLY if you can agree to quiet and calm.
Remember, this is NOT a hiker hostel -- it is a place for people to have a few days of meditation in COMPLETE SILENCE. It is only generosity of spirit that inspires permission for others to enter and spend time here.
Also recall that the Greymoor Spiritual Life Center USED to allow hikers to sleep inside their facilities -- but no longer does so. Abuse of generosity has caused us to lose it before, and will certainly do so again. Let's keep this place a generous place!
The entrance, which has a sign, is on Lake Buel Road, just barely to the east of the intersection with Highway 23. If you walk even one minute east from Highway 23, then you passed it.
As you walk up the driveway, signs make clear that you are to go first to the back door of the last building on the site. More than one sign helps you to get there without confusion.
Reverend Louis Rose continues to be very welcoming to hikers, charging a mere $10 a night for
1) An indoor shared sleeping room, with three mattresses that also have sheets and pillows. You can use your sleeping bag if desired.
2) An air conditioned library area, with a couch and a few chairs, as well as a hot plate for cooking.
3) A flush toilet and a hot shower, with towels, soap, shampoo, and disposable shaver provided.
4) A covered, outside area to hang your wet clothes.
5) A trash can for what you've been packing out, along with a recycle bin for your cans and bottles.
If there is no indoor room available, or if you simply wish to do so, you can tent camp on the lawn in the back. The library and bathroom are fully available to tent campers.
The rules are clearly stated, and not terribly onerous.
The main thing to remember is to maintain COMPLETE SILENCE towards all non-hikers. A nod of the head is more than enough communication, even less than that is perfectly acceptable.
Hikers are expected to stay one night only. If staying a second night, you can not "reserve" a spot; as priority is given to hikers arriving for their first night.
Quiet time is ABSOLUTELY at 10 pm. This means you can NOT arrive after that hour.
All hiking gear must be out of both rooms by 8:30 am, even if staying a second night.
Smoking is prohibited inside. I'm going to presume that alcohol and illegal drugs are strictly prohibited as well.
There is no longer a phone available for hikers, and laundry facilities may continue to be out of order.
A pizza delivery shop (menu available) and the local taxi are familiar with this place, so feel free to call either on your cell phone.
Just a note... I stayed here in 2010 when I discovered I had to return home for a funeral. When everyone else hiked out in the am I was still making travel arrangements. To help out, I decided to change the sheets. Rev. Rose about freaked out when she saw me doing that. It seems changing sheets for each hiker is just too expensive, so I put them back as they were... And, when I came back 10 days later, the very same sheets were still on each bed. So I suggest using you sleeping bag on top of the sheets.... and beware of the pillow cases... Still, I'd probably stay here again for the $10