Bear Mountain Connecticut

Bear Mountain (2, 316 ft.) is the highest peak in

Connecticut. It is not, however, the highest point of land in

Connecticut. The highest point is 2, 380 feet, found on the south slope of

Mt.

Frissell whose 2, 453 ft. summit lies in

Massachusetts. Nonetheless, Bear Mountain maintains its distinction as the highest summit in

Connecticut and it offers one of the prettiest vistas in the state. It's a beautiful hike on the Appalachian Trail south of the summit because you're hiking on rocks, surrounded by low bushes (including blueberries!), and the view progressively opens up for you. A stone pyramid built in 1885, about 8 feet high with a flat top, sits on the summit and provides a great platform for checking out the panorama. Prominently to the north in

Massachusetts are Mts. Race (to the right) and Everett (to the left). To the east, you look down into the valley where the

Twin

Lakes are. To the west is

Frissell and to the southwest is

Gridley. Heading north on the Appalachian Trail drops you into Sages Ravine and the

Massachusetts border (just over a mile away).

After your hike, be sure to check out the town of

Salisbury. It's a classy, little

Connecticut town. In

Salisbury center, all within a stone's throw from each other are the Village Store for hiking supplies and Epicure Market for sandwiches and refreshments.

Preplanned Hike

Mileage

0 Undermountain Trail parking lot
1.1 Junction of Undermountain Trail & Paradise Lane Trail
3.2 Junction of Paradise Lane Trail & Appalachian Trail
3.9

Bear Mountain summit
4.8 Junction of Appalachian Trail & Undermountain Trail
5.6 Junction of Undermountain Trail & Paradise Lane Trail
6.7 Undermountain Trail parking lot

The Hike

This hike begins at the rock on the right side of the Undermountain Trail parking lot (with your back to the road). Proceed from the rock to the bulletin board in the woods. If you're interested, there are usually pamphlets about the Connecticut Appalachain Trail available here. Also, there is a wooden outhouse nearby if nature calls (you must provide your own TP). Head straight from the bulletin board up the broad, blue blazed Undermountain Trail. You are walking on a forested, moderately steep, well-maintained path. Eventually you will come to a sign welcoming you to

Appalachian Trail lands. Soon thereafter a brook appears on your left and you come to the junction of the Undermountain Trail and

Paradise

Lane

Trail.

Turn right onto the

Trail and continue to follow blue blazes. This trail is mostly flat and easy hiking. You will soon pass

Paradise Lane

group camping area on your right. Then on your left you will come to a picturesque swamp where you may hear bull frogs croaking as I did. Further on your left you come to an opening that offers a view of

Bear Mountain. Ultimately you arrive at the junction of the

Trail and the

Appalachian Trail. If you're looking for a place to camp, head down to Sages Ravine where there are tent sites within a mile along the river. In the summer, there is a caretaker and fee for camping.