MA/NY/VT Marker Access Update:

These directions assume you have Jack Parsell's Tri-State Corners in the U.S. publication.

From the metal gate behind the Humes yard, (obtain permission from the Humes before crossing their property) follow the well-defined jeep trail. You'll be moving generally westward in Vermont but close to the MA/VT state line. Stay on this route, always bearing left. There are 2 bridged stream crossings and 1 wet crossing before reaching a VERY steep section of this route at a small grassy clearing. Here, bite the bullet and make the .2 mile ascent. Though a formidable up, this killer-climb is the best guarantee that your track is correct. A few blow-downs will be encountered as you go.

Note: At the clearing, ignore the less steep vague trail fork to the left. There is a good trail going to the right which also reaches the top and, though longer, it's more gradual. (Refer to your Hopkins Memorial Forest map for this loop. See below.)

Once on top, continue westward .2 mile to a distinct lop-sided 'T' intersection. Tend left here, also. Disregard any Williams College "posting signs" which provide no reference to reach the marker going this route. The trail undulates a tad, going generally southward for another .2 mile. At this writing, there was a blow-down and a tangle of limbs. A brief detour left regains the main trail. Not far beyond is another stream crossing. The Williams College lean-to is on the hillside to the right. On reaching the stream and lean-to, you'll have gone about 25 yds. too far but you're "in the ballpark." Going back to the above blow down - there's a vague trail immediately beyond that point which leads uphill to the marker about 75ft. Two dead tree poles frame this inclined path to the tri-point. A GPS can be helpful. Jack Parsell has good coordinates of N42 44.760 / W73 15.905. From Northwest Hill Road the round trip distance to the marker is about 2 miles.

HMF map: Write or visit the Center for Environmental Studies, Kellogg House, Williams College, Box 632, Williamstown, MA 01267. I wrote them, included a business-size SASE, and received 2 maps.

For a free download of Parsell's publication: Corner Corner, www.bjbsoftware.com/corners

Focus: If you use these directions to reach the marker, please comment on this site for fine-tuning purposes.