Timeless Noble View

There are certain places in my life that transcend the physical. Those places that bore deep within to unlock hidden chambers in my heart and mind. Noble View is one of those places that has made my life better. My father took our family to Noble View in Russell, MA for an unassuming, reasonable vacation spot when I was an 14 yr. old kid. Since that visit over 35 years ago, I have taken my family and close friends to this unassuming jewel in the Western Massachusetts woods for fun, contemplation, celebration and spiritual re-charging.

What makes Noble View so special is its timelessness. It harkens back to an earlier time when it was a 19th century gentleman's farm owned by the Noble family. Years later, the farm, the trails and the lodgings were taken over by the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). In many ways it has retained a charm from times gone by.

The accommodations are sparse, clean and rustic. There is sense of Thoreau and New England charm deeply rooted in the feeling of Noble View. One can camp or stay in the farm house, the double cottage or the north cottage.

Over the years we have gathered to celebrate large family Thanksgivings, spent memorable weekends with friends toasting marshmallows at blazing campfires and taken awesome side trips to TangleWood to catch an outdoor concert of Beethoven.


Beyond group activities, Noble View is a natural and rural setting. There are gentle and vigorous trails, distant views, waterfalls, delicious swimming dips and ample places for romantic moments. Enjoy Russell Pond just down the way or take a 45 minute ride to Northampton, MA to get some great food and take an outdoor hot tub at East Heaven Hot Tubs, or visit the many Berkshire cultural excursions in Lenox, Stockbridge or Great Barrington.

Noble View has recently gone through some changes due to legal issues with the AMC. They have updated the road, rebuilt the double cottage, met fired code safety regulations and I think changed their policy for cooking. Noble View is lit by gaslight and the water is gathered from the well. Also the bathroom facilities are eco-friendly outhouses. So consider that this place is not the Four Seasons.

Change is inevitable and I remember visits when your stay was based on an honor system where you left $2.10 a night in an envelope in a rusty metal mailbox on your way out. Although times have changed there is still a great of joy to experience at Noble View.

Please make sure that you contact the Noble View Chair, Gary Forish via email before you go unless you are a key holder and a member of the AMC. Gary Forish is a good guy who talks a lot about the mission of keeping Noble View sustainable and a place not spoiled by the masses. In my last visit a year ago, I still feel Noble View is a jewel ( a bit tarnished by time and modern regulations) for those who enjoy the rustic, unspoiled and fragile things in life.

Check out the Noble View journal in the roll top desk and you will see many of my entries written down over the years.

Enjoy.

Steven

DIRECTIONS: (A bit tricky so keep your eyes open.)

From the north and south:

Route 91 to Exit 14 (Mass Turnpike West to Exit 3).
Then follow directions for "from the east and west" below.
From the east and west:
Mass Pike West to Exit 3 (Westfield).
Thru the tollbooth and take a right - South on Route 10 & 202 into Westfield to Athenaeum (1.7 miles).
At the Athenaeum (a library), Westfield Common (a park) will be on your left; turn right onto Court Street (Route 10 & 202).
Route 10 & 202 takes a left in front of Woronoco Bank, but you continue straight ahead (not on 10 & 202).
Court Street becomes Western Avenue and passes Stanley Park on the left and Westfield State College on the right.
Continue straight ahead at the fork on Western Ave (3.0 miles from the Athenaeum). Do not turn right at the fork onto what appears to be the main road (Bates Road).
Cross Northwest Road and start up the mountain on General Knox Road.
Follow General Knox Road and turn left onto South Quarter Road at the historic General Knox marker. (2nd road on the left once you start up the mountain, 3.2 miles from the fork.)
Follow South Quarter Road to the AMC and Noble View sign on the left (1.2 miles from General Knox road).
Go through the gate and up the two-lane dirt road until you reach the facility.
Please drive slowly on the driveway to the buildings. Hikers and visitors may be walking on the road. Please be courteous to our neighbors while driving on South Quarter Road - proceed slowly.
Note: Some of the street signs may not be visible. The sign on the corner of Western Ave. and Bates Rd., however, can be seen.