Round Mountain and its neighbor, Long Mountain, form the backdrop for the McLennan Reservation. Hale Pond, created when beavers periodically dam Camp Brook, is between these 1,500-foot mountains.
McLennan Reservation, located in Tyringham and Otis, is among the Massachusetts properties overseen by the Trustees of the Reservations.
Becky Ferguson, superintendent for the Stockbridge Management Unit of the Trustees Reservations, likes to visit the McLennan Reservation in Tyringham the day after a rain.
“One of the great things about the property is the streams that run along the trails,” she says, “especially if you catch them after a rain.”
The reservation is a property of the Trustees of Reservations.
Its forested hills and wetlands are located at the southeastern end of Tyringham Valley.
“Tyringham Valley is very beautiful itself,” Ferguson said.
Round Mountain and its neighbor, Long Mountain, form the backdrop for the McLennan Reservation. Hale Pond, created when beavers periodically dam Camp Brook, is between these 1,500-foot mountains.
From the entrance, a 1.5-mile trail follows the rises and dips of this densely forested land before reaching the high plateau and Hale Swamp. The trail is moderate in difficulty, with some strenuous sections. It affords striking views of unspoiled wilderness.
The 594-acre reservation was once part of the Ashintully estate; the two properties touch but no trails connect them. It was a gift to the trustees from John S. McLennan in 1977, 1978 and 1991.
A contemporary composer, McLennan, spent 30 years creating Ashintully Gardens as a serene retreat surrounded by forested hills.
He grew up in the mansion at Ashintully and later lived in a farmhouse on the property until his death in 1996.
“It’s very easy to feel like you’re alone in the woods” at the McLennan Reservation, Ferguson said. “It feels wild.”
She said the property is one of the lesser known properties of the Trustees, “but it would be great if more people could discover it.”
Since 1891, The Trustees of Reservations have worked to protect special places in Massachusetts and maintain them to the highest standards. To ensure these standards are met, a program of careful planning and sound management is essential. Comprehensive property management plans are created for each reservation and are completely updated about every 10 years.