Hancock Fire Tower, Brodie Mt MA

• 3-star hike
• 3 mile out-and-back
• Moderate | Gain 1,100 feet
• New Ashford, MA | Western Region
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View looking up at the steel open-framework Hancock Fire Tower, which has been converted into a communications tower with various mounted antennas and microwave dishes against a clear blue sky framed by tree branches.

The former Hancock Fire Tower on Mt Brodie.

Likely of interest only to tower completionists, the hike up Brodie Mountain caught our attention when we set out to map every Massachusetts fire lookout tower accessible by trail. The Hancock Fire Tower has kept watch over northwestern Massachusetts since 1923, though it recently fell out of service and now functions primarily as a frame for radio and microwave equipment.

The tower stands on East Mountain, which at 2,595 feet is curiously taller than the 2,152-foot summit of Brodie Mountain three miles to the north. Locating the unmarked trailhead is slightly unorthodox: it sits along a short farm track just off Williamstown Road. The linked driving directions lead directly to this intersection, where you can drive up the track to a wooded clearing.

Trail Options Expand KMZ · Google Earth ·

⬤ 3★ Hancock Fire Tower 3.2 mi out & back, moderate, gain 1,100 ft
GPX File · AllTrails · Directions GPX?

P Free parking

Be aware that there are no signs marking the trailhead, the path, or the tower itself, and the trail crosses several private property parcels. While we encountered no signage in this area and suspect the route is primarily used for tower maintenance, public access is not officially designated. If you choose to attempt this hike, do so at your own risk, stay strictly on the trail, and respect private property. If you encounter 'No Trespassing' postings or are asked to leave, turn back immediately.

The hike ascends along a rough, gravel-covered service road beneath a shady forest canopy before merging with a power line corridor leading to the summit. As the trees thin along this straight-line stretch, you will enjoy clear eastward views toward Mount Greylock, particularly on the return journey.

At the summit of East Mountain, the former fire tower - with cabin still intact - is the first structure you encounter. Beyond it sits a tall green pole with the yellow lettering "Brodie Mt." partially obscured by radio hardware. Also, we were briefly startled by some unusual deep noises that we imagined to be those of a territorial bear, but turned out just to be from the slow rotation of the massive wind turbines that are strung along Brodie Mountain's peak. Tall tree growth at the summit unfortunately limits the chances for additional views and prominent signage restricted us from investigating for further viewpoints.

A person wearing a bright red short-sleeved shirt, dark pants, and a dark baseball cap walks away from the camera up a rocky, unpaved trail lined with tall, green deciduous trees and dense forest undergrowth.

Begin on a service trail under woodland cover.

A side-by-side composite photograph shows a tall green communications tower bristling with antenna arrays on the left, set against a blue sky with soft white clouds, next to a right-hand view of white wind turbines spanning a forested ridge under a matching clear blue sky.

More mountain furniture atop Brodie Mountain.

A person wearing a red shirt and dark pants walks away from the camera down a rocky dirt trail framed by lush green trees with early hints of autumn color under a bright blue sky filled with puffy white clouds, opening up to a view of distant blue mountains on the horizon.

Returning views towards Mount Greylock.

Trailspotting nearby:
4★ Mount Greylock (3-7 mi)
4★ Lenox Mt & Fire Tower (3 mi)
3★ Savoy Fire Tower (0-1 mi)
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