AT in Connecticut US 44 to Conn/Mass State Line Lions Head, Bear Mountain

AT Hiking Guide - Connecticut $5.00 Descriptions, pictures and maps covering all 50+ miles the Appalachian Trail travels in Connecticut. This book comes to you as an e-Book via a PDF file. Use the BUY NOW button below and we'll email you the file usually within 24 hours. First Edition (2014) from CNY Hiking

This 7.4 mile section of the Appalachian Trail is the last of the trail in Connecticut for north bound hikers. This stretch of the trail features the views from the popular day hiking destination, Lions Head. This section also features the views from Bear Mountain and two shelters. These are the highest points of the AT in Connecticut along this last northern section of trail.

The Riga Shelter was built in 1990 by the AMC and sleeps six with a privy near by. There is water near the blue blazed trail. Brassie Brook Shelter was formerly called Bond Shelter. It was constructed in 1980 and sleeps six. There is a picnic table and privy located nearby. Water is available at a stream north of the blue blazed trail to the shelter.

This section starts where the trail crosses US 44 and follows Lower Cobble Road. At 0.1 miles turn right off road and enter field. The trail crosses CT 41 at 0.5 miles. There is a parking area about 150 feet north of the where the trail crosses the highway. The GPS coordinates of the parking area is N41 59.646 W73 25.614. At 2.3 miles cross a small stream.

At 2.6 miles the trail crosses an old stone wall and then at 2.7 miles crosses an old road. At 3.0 miles reach the junction with the blue blazed Lions Head Trail on your left. This side trail travels 0.4 miles across private property to a popular parking area on Bunker Hill Road. The GPS coordinates for this popular parking area is N41 59.928 W73 26.269. At 3.1 miles reach a blue blazed bypass trail, recommended during bad weather to avoid the rocky and steep climb of Lions Head.

At 3.2 miles the trail reaches the 1738 foot summit of Lions Head. At 3.3 miles reach the northern outlook of Lions Head with views north toward Bear Mountain and Mount Greylock in the distance. The bypass trail joins the AT again here. At 3.5 miles the trail reaches level area on the ridge below Lions Head. At 3.7 miles reach a blue blazed trail on the left that travels onto private property. At 3.9 miles the trail reaches a blue blazed trail on the right that leads to the Riga Shelter and camping area.

At 4.5 miles the trail crosses Ball Brook. The Ball Brook Campsite is located north of the brook on your right. At 5.1 miles the trail crosses Brassie Brook. Located about 200 feet on the right along a blue blazed trail is the Brassie Brook Shelter and camping area. At 5.6 miles the trail reaches the "Riga Junction", where the trail intersects with the Undermountain Trail. This trail travels east 1.1 miles to the Paradise Lane Trail and then 1.9 miles to a parking area on CT 41, which is probably the most popular trailhead in Connecticut.

At 5.9 miles the trail reaches Bear Mountain Road (not passable by car). At 6.0 miles the trail turns sharply below Bear Mountain. At 6.5 miles the trail reaches the 2316 foot summit of Bear Mountain. This is the highest mountain in Connecticut, although not the highest point in the state. There are nice views from the summit. At 7.2 miles the trail reaches the junction of the Paradise Lane Trail. At 7.4 miles reach the Connecticut/Massachusetts border and the end of this section of the Appalachian Trail. Look below for a map of this section of the trail.

We recommend checking out Appalachian Trail Guide to Massachusetts-Connecticut and Appalachian Trail, Schaghticoke Mountain to East Mountain [Connecticut, Massachusetts] (National Geographic Topographic Map Guide) to help plan your Appalachian Trail adventure.