Getting here

Safety Notes

I try to plow and sand regularly, but if it is snowing or icy be careful on the parking area and walk.  Also, don’t stray off the walk at night, there may be land mines on either side.

On Baumann Rd (note some places misspell it as Beauman or Beaumann) stay in the middle of the road.  The shoulders are soft even in winter and can suck you straight off the road if you get into them.  In the winter it can be deceiving because snowmobiles will create a very wide flat area that looks safe, but just stay in the tire tracks in the middle.

Driving Directions

Area map.

From NYC or ENY: From the Taconic parkway exit at Rt-295 (1 exit before tolls). Follow Rt-295 into Massachusetts to rt-41. Turn left on Rt-41 then right on Rt-20 into Pittsfield.  From other areas in ENY just get on Rt-20 and go East to Pittsfield.  At the intersection of Rt-20 and Rt-7 in Pittsfield follow the signs to Rt-8.   There are many ways from Rt-7 to Rt-8, most take you on Rt-9 for a while, but I think they have changed the route of Rt-9 through Pittsfield so various mapping services may take you different routes.  I recommend going north on Rt-7 through the middle of town, then turning right on Tyler St just across from the Berkshire Medical Center’s first building you get to when heading north.  If you pass the Medical Center you have gone too far.  Follow Tyler St to Dalton Ave which takes you to ‘Crazy Corners’  Ignore all the signs and go straight ahead and you end up on Rt-8 South going into Dalton. (continue below)

From East Pittsfield: Take Rt-8 South(really East) out of Pittsfield, though Dalton, to the traffic light in Hinsdale. Turn left on Rt-143. Go 3 miles, turn left on East Windsor Rd.(big green sign). Go 3 miles. Turn left on Baumann Rd which is the dirt road on the left in front of the big grey house with white pillars. I am 1000' up the road on the left.

From NYC, CT if you don’t like I-91 or the Taconic Parkway:  Get on Rt-8 North.  Carefully follow it north to where it intersects with Rt-20.  DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES BELIEVE OTHER MAPPING PROGRAMS THAT TAKE YOU OFF RT-8 OR RT-20!!   Ignore the temptation to take shortcuts on things like Becket Rd, or Fred Snow Rd or East Otis Rd.  Stay on Rt-8 all the way to Rt-143 in Hinsdale.  Turn right on Rt-143. Go 3 miles, turn left on East Windsor Rd.(big green sign). Go 3 miles. Turn left on Baumann Rd which is the dirt road on the left in front of the big grey house with white pillars. I am 1000' up the road on the left.

From RT-2: turn south on Rt-112 west of Greenfield.  Take it south to Rt-9 and turn right... follow directions below.

Coming from I-91 via Rt-9 out of Northampton Ma. From rt-9, just after you cross into Windsor watch for a sign on the left that says 'To Peru', its just after the sign for leaving the Pioneer Valley (map).  Take that left, go down the short hill, straight across the intersection after the bridge (that is actually old rt-9).  Watch the distance, it is only 1/4 mile after that intersection that you turn right.  again, watch the distance, it is only 1/4 mile and you take the left which should go past an old farm house, down a short dip across a little brige, make a sharp right turn and then go up hill.  Follow the paved road around lots of bends, at one point it makes a 90 degree right turn and goes down a short hill, from there you can see the towers straight ahead.  At the next intersection the paved road goes left, but you go straight and I am 1000' up the dirt road on the left.

The other option from Rt-9 is to go to the general store at the intersection of Rt-9 and Rt-8a in the middle of Windsor and turn onto Peru Rd.  Go about 5 miles (4 or so on dirt) and I am on the right just after you start seeing the power line again.  Just watch for that last mile or so as it is not salted/sanded at all.  WARNING! In the winter the road from the intersection of Rt-9 and 8A in Windsor is usually closed.  It is not always marked though.  It is not plowed for a mile or so around the town line so don’t be fooled if it looks ok near the Rt-9 end.

Arrival

For multi-ops I normally take Friday off from work, so you could arrive any time Friday, or even Thursday evening.  If I don’t take Friday off I will usually be home by 4pm or so.  I usually go to bed early so if you need to arrive late in the evening, say after 9pm or so, make sure you let me know ahead of time.  This doesn’t matter as much for multi-ops that will be operating all night anyway. 

Parking

For multi-ops I can part 6 to 10 cars depending on how well you pack them in and how much snow is piled up.  If you are going to be here for the whole weekend try to pull in as far as possible  to make room for those who come and go.  If possible it’s a good thing to carpool for big contests.

Leaving

If you don’t want to drive Sunday night you can stay over till Monday.  I usually leave for work by about 6am so may not be available in the morning if you need something so check with me before going to bed.

When you leave be sure you have your cell phone, pda, paddles, razors, and any other personal stuff you may have brought.  While I can ship stuff back to you I don’t get to UPS or the post office every day.