View Full Version : Camping on the Pine Cobble Trail
Snap Shirt
06-27-2012, 11:01
Hi Folks,
I'm starting my hike tomorrow in Williamstown, but won't be arriving at the Pine Cobble trailhead until late afternoon.
It will have been a long day already so I'm thinking I won't walk the six miles to the Seth Warner Shelter.
Does anyone think I'll have a problem finding a place to set up my hammock for the night on the Pine Cobble?
Cheers,
StubbleJumper
06-27-2012, 11:13
Hi Folks,
I'm starting my hike tomorrow in Williamstown, but won't be arriving at the Pine Cobble trailhead until late afternoon.
It will have been a long day already so I'm thinking I won't walk the six miles to the Seth Warner Shelter.
Does anyone think I'll have a problem finding a place to set up my hammock for the night on the Pine Cobble?
Cheers,
A couple of potential issues: There's no water on Pine Cobble....actually, that's not true, apparently there's a spring about half-way up, but I didn't find it on either of my two hikes. The other challenge is that much of the land surrounding Pine Cobble is posted. You could probably hang your hammock and not get caught (no injury, no foul), but I would not be comfortable with that. It's only six miles to Seth Warner, which is about 3 hours of walking. If you could possibly make it happen, you'd be best to simply hike to the shelter.
The Pine Cobble trail is only a couple miles until you meet up with the AT. The initial ascent starts near private property, but once you get up in the woods a bit you could camp anywhere. Especially since you are hammocking, there are plenty of trees! Just keep in mind, like has already been said, there is no water until you get to Seth Warner. But, if you bring plenty in with you it's not an issue...
Snowleopard
06-27-2012, 19:33
The AT itself goes through Clarksburg State Forest (MA). According to their website there are 3 wilderness camp sites along the AT in the state forest. Camping in Mass state forests is generally not allowed except at designated sites. I'd call them the Clarksburg State Park and ask about it: http://www.mass.gov/dcr/parks/western/clsp.htm
The Pine Cobble trail is 2.1 miles long and looks like it crosses into the State Forest sooner. http://www.wrlf.org/properties-trails/trails/the-pine-cobble-trail/
Once you cross the Vermont state line you're in the Green Mountain National Forest and can follow their rules.
Snowleopard
06-27-2012, 19:45
A post by Cosmo from 2004:
http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?3927-Sherman-Brook-Campsite (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?3927-Sherman-Brook-Campsite)
Sherman Brook Campsite
OK, one more tonight. Sherman Brook campsite is a group of 3 tent platforms and privy (as well as some other on-the-ground tenting areas) about 2 miles north of Rt 2. It is the northernmost overnight area in Mass, about 4 miles from the VT border.
Water can be found in Sherman Brook or at Pete's spring, which is at the junction of the AT and the campsite's blue blazed access trail.
This is a nice, open area with tall white oaks and an open understory. The tent platforms are well seperated from each other. It is rarely crowded. I have spent more nights alone here than any other overnight site in Mass (no comments about my social life please).
Several Barred Owls live in the area and often offer up an evening serenade. I even saw a hummingbird drinking sap from woodpecker holes in a tree next to the tent platform.
Privy was moved in June of '03.
Cosmo
It looks like Sherman Brook campsite is on the AT not Pine Cobble trail:
http://www.cnyhiking.com/ATinMASS-VT9.htm
You'd best call the state park and ask what the situation is and ask about water there.
Too late now, you already left. For anyone else, FYI. No camping on the Pine Cobble Trail officially, and unofficially there aren't too many great places--and there's the previously mentioned water problem. Using the AT as the "approach trail" is a better bet, stopping at Sherman Brook. If you did (or have) decided to push on, once you reach the ridge from either trail, it's pretty mellow hiking to Seth Warner. There is only one designated campsite in Clarksburg SF (not the same as the State Park): Sherman Brook.
Cosmo