Mt. Everett via Guilder Pond and AT (Mt. Everett State Reservation)

Mt. Everett via Guilder Pond and AT (Mt. Everett State Reservation)

Hike Type: Figure-8 Lollipop Loop

Distance: 4.25 miles

Elevation: 942 feet

Time: 1 hour, 37 minutes
Hiking Challenges: Taconic 12er, Operation Alaska Benchmark Challenge

The Hike 

From Catamount, I had a lovely 15-minute drive over to the Mt. Everett State Reservation road. I would have rather hiked from the other side, which climbs along waterfalls, but that hike was two miles longer and I was still 2.5 hours from home, so the easier side it is! From the entrance, there is a short dirt road that leads to a small parking area at a gate. It was 50 degrees and sunny out - just beautiful! I quickly put my hiking clothes on, and got started!

The gated road was no problem at all and just a little soggy from spring. On the left was Nature Conservancy land managed by DCR, and on the right was Massachusetts State Forest land. I took my fleece off 6-ish minutes in, leaving me down to my long-sleeve base layer and shorts. I passed a man with his unleashed daschund that charged at me, and then had most of the rest of the hike to myself. 

The road crossed a mossy stream on a culvert with a few cascades off-trail - just beautiful! The sun felt absolutely amazing on my body, and soon enough I came to the Guilder Pond Loop. 

I turned left onto the Guidler Pond Loop, faintly blazed in blue, crossed a small bridge over a dam and then came out onto a dock that provided a stunning view of the pond, blue skies, and Mt. Everett behind. Most of the trail on this side alternated between narrow trail on the pond's bank, mountain laurel groves, and an occasional patch of snow with a view to the pond. Once further in, I realized that the pond was much bigger than I initially thought!

The trail continued to undulate around the pond with tree views to Mt. Everett. There were a couple confusing sections that were thankfully well-blazed, especially on the far side on the pond, and on the return side of the loop the mountain laurel and views were more abundant.

Eventually, the Guilder Pond Trail joined the Appalachian Trail (I didn't realize the AT came over here!) in a wet area with boardwalks and gently rose to another parking area along the Mt. Everett Road. It looked like cars might be allowed up here in the warmer months? I couldn't find any information online about it.

I continued past the large "Appalchian Trail" sign and back into the woods, where the trail climbed more steeply, briefly turned back onto the road, and then continued off the road again. The Appalchian Trail paralleled the road for a bit while I navigated a barely-avoidable ice flow. The trail turned as the road turned and began to ascend via a couple of snowy switchbacks. The road soon ended at what looked like an upper parking area as I continued my final push to the top.

The trail mellowed and narrowed with lots of mountain laurel on the right and tree views out on the left. Interestingly, I passed a sign indicating the summit was 0.1 miles away in effectively the middle of nowhere - no features or junction, just a sign. I passed two weirdly quiet people just after the sign, and after them I hit a blue arrow that led to an absolutely wonderful view down into what I think is Connecticut!

Past here, the trees got a bit scrubby, almost like I was breaking treeline without entering an Alpine Zone. It also felt like hiking in the Cape, but just with smaller trees. 

I was delighted to reach the summit after turning a corner, and even more delighted to see 1) a summit sign, 2) old firetower footings, and 3) a sign for the old fire tower - how fun! I didn't realize this hike had fire tower remnants. There were a few obstructed views from the top, and in my hunt for views, I stumbled upon a USGS disc - how fun, again! I noticed a little herd path in the direction the disc was pointing, so naturally I had to follow it. It led through scrubby bushes to... MORE old fire tower footings! I really enjoyed this little exploration. I looked for another disc, but came up short, only finding deer poop and old paint indicating the trail used to go this way.

I made my way back to the summit area, and found a second disc anyway! Yay! I explored just a little bit more before officially calling it and starting my return. What a fun way to cap off this hike! A few quotes that I found from Wikipedia:

"Its upper dome is noted for expansive vistas and an unusual dwarf forest of pitch pine and oak."

"A seasonal auto road approaching from the west climbs past Guilder Pond and continues nearly to Everett's summit, but its upper reaches have been long closed to automobiles."

Wikipedia also made note that Mt. Everett is the highest peak in the Southern Taconics. I followed the AT back down the lovely trail and turned onto a spur to the upper parking area, which was actually a picnic shelter with a stunning view! Just past the shelter was the upper parking area, which looked lightly used (which Wikipedia later explained to me). 

The upper trip down involved me mostly thinking "do people actually drive up here?" Again, thankfully Wikipedia had an answer for me! I passed the quiet couple again as the AT crossed the road, and I continued to make my way down past the upper gate and back onto the main Mt. Everett Road that may or may not be open to the public in-season.

I also found this annecdote from berkshirehiking.com: 

"NOTE: There seems to be every varying reports about the summit road to Everett. Their website states that the road is open up to Guilder Pond during warmer months. However, at times during summer the road is closed at the base parking. There seems to be an ongoing discussion (friction?) between reservation stewards and state park system as to how the state reservation should be accessed. As a result, some changes have taken place such as tearing down the old fire tower on top and closing all or part of the summit road most of the year (if not entirely depending upon who you talk to). It's an amazing place to hike around but you may want to call/email ahead to get the latest information (official website). It's an out of the way place so just be aware that the long drive there could lead to a closed summit road. As of this writing (July 2010) their website says the summit road is open during summer. But you should contact them first if you are traveling far just to be safe."

I had my spikes danging from my pack for most of this hike, but I HAD to stash them because the clanging was driving me bonkers! I passed the pond, which had another lovely view, and had a bit of a boring final descent along the road back down to the car. I was mighty relieved to see the gate at the end, and soon I was in the car, in dry clothes, driving to McDonalds and then back home! I'm looking forward to exploring more of these Taconic 12er peaks!

Step-by-Step

- Park at lower gate on Mt. Everett Road.

- Hike up Mt. Everett Road.

- At jct., turn left onto Guilder Pond Loop.

- At next jct., turn right and the AT joins.

- At road, Guidler Pond Loop terminates and the AT continues.

- Follow AT to summit of Mt. Everett.

- At summit, turn around.

- At jct., turn right onto view spur.

- Continue right onto Mt. Everett Road.

- Follow Mt. Everett Road down to car.

Mt. Everett State Reservation Map

Photo Album