Fresh air – nature’s prescription for good health!!  Those who have gotten to know me this past year know I’m committed to exploring my backyard – the Berkshires, Northern Connecticut and Southern Vermont.  Join me, Saturday, April 9th for a loop hike up Bear Mountain – Connecticut’s highest peak.

We will be hiking inside the Mt. Riga Forest Preserve to the summit of Bear Mountain at 2,316 feet.  This is an easy to moderate hike and a great hike to jump start the season.  The hardest part of this hike is the half mile up to the summit; we’ll otherwise be hiking very moderate grades.  Plan on a 5 to 6 hour day, bring plenty of water and snacks.

From the parking we head west out onto Undermountain Trail for 1.2 miles where we intersect with paradise Lane Trail turning north.  We follow Paradise Lane for 1.8 miles where we connect with the Appalachian Trail (AT).  It is here we turn south and start the steep ascent to Bear Mountain.  At the summit we’ll take in the views, lunch and check out the stone pyramid that sits atop the summit built in 1885 to signify Connecticut’s highest peak.  We continue heading south descending to reconnect with Undermountain Trail.  We continue on this trail for approximately 2.0 miles returning to our starting point.  Total hike is approximately 6.7 miles.

Along this loop are a few detours, the AMC Northwest Cabin which can be rented year round, Sages Ravine Campsite with views of serpentine streams, cascades and falls.  We won’t be taking these in but it gives me ideas for future hikes.  That Cabin may be a late fall hike or mid winter adventure and the ravines could be a longer day hike where we spot cars and traverse the AT between Mt. Race and the AMC Cabin – so many options!

I never tire of nature, the scent of evergreens and the emergence of spring.  At home the landscape has sprouted and leaves will form soon with blooms to follow.  I’m eager to see what begins to emerge in mountains in the coming weeks.  This hike the landscape is dotted with hemlocks, ferns, mountain azalea, mountain laurel, pitch pines, deciduous trees, huckleberry shrubs among so much more.  We’ll have a brilliant time – a great first outing if your want to get your hiking boots broken in.  After the hike, should folks desire, we can venture into Salisbury, CT for a bite to eat.

Friday/Saturday Night Lodging Option:  In keeping with the Spirit of GO, my home is open to make the great outdoors accessible to those who may come from just a bit further away than a day trip allows.  It serves as a nice mid-point and a way for us to connect, share stories and talk all things outdoors.  We can car pool for Saturday morning’s journey.  The trip to Bear Mountain is about 2 hours from my home.  We will depart at 7:30am with a trail head meeting time of 9:45am.  We’ll pit stop at Dunkin Donuts for coffee and carbs and make our way west and north. 

I have two bedrooms each with one queen size bed.  Single or double occupancy works, your preference.  I have all linens/blankets/towels and can accommodate up to 4 people.  If sleeping on the floor and air pad is your thing, I can squeeze up to 6 people.  It is $20 for Friday and $20 for Saturday.  If you desire spirits, you do need to bring your own.  My fridge is small, a cooler with ice is recommended.  I share my home with Soleil, a 7 year old female fawn Greyhound who is profoundly friendly.  She will commit the crime of wanting to be incessantly petted – she’s a snuggler.  Please send me an e-mail to reserve a space.

From the north (Mass Pike)

From the Massachusetts Turnpike, take exit 2 and follow signs for Stockbridge south to Great Barrington.  From Great Barrington follow signs for routes 23/41 south towards Salisbury (you do not reach Salisbury proper).  Mark your odometer at junction of Rt. 23 and Rt. 41 following Route 41 south for approximately 9.3 miles.  The Undermountain Trail parking lot will be on right.  It is an easily-missed, small, blue, oval "Undermountain Trail" sign marking the entrance to the parking lot.

From the south (Salisbury):

Mark odometer at junction Rt. 44 & Rt. 41 in Salisbury, Ct.  Follow route 41 north for approximately 4 miles.  The Undermountain Trail parking lot will be on left.  It is an easily-missed, small, blue, oval "Undermountain Trail" sign marking the entrance to the parking lot.