AT in Connecticut US 7 to US 44 Rand's View

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 10.3 mile section of the Appalachian Trail features one of the best viewpoints along the trail, Rand's View. This panoramic view features the Taconic range from Bear Mountain to Jug End. On clear days Mount Greylock can be seen in the distance. This section of the trail is also rich in history. There is one shelter available during this stretch of trail.

The Limestone Spring Shelter is reached via a steep 0.5 mile blue blazed trail. The shelter sleeps six and you'll find water behind the shelter, from the Limestone Spring. The water flows out of a small limestone cave. There are no other designated campsites along this stretch of the Appalachian Trail.

This section starts where the AT crosses US 7 just south of the junction of CT 112. There is parking available north of the CT 112 junction at a small parking area on US 7. The GPS coordinates is N41 55.940 W73 21.823. There is some shoulder parking where the trail meets US 7, south of the CT 112 junction. Cross US 7 and walk next to cornfield near the Housatonic River. At 0.6 miles reach US 7 and follow road across the Housatonic River bridge, turning left in 300 feet on Warren Turnpike.

Follow Warren Turnpike past Housatonic Valley Regional High School. The northern terminus of the Mohawk Trail is just beyond the high school. Soon the trail leaves the road and follows close to the Housatonic Railroad tracks (active). At 1.5 miles the trail crosses Warren Turnpike and now follows the River Trail. The trail will make some turns on roads and then cross the Housatonic River on an iron bridge at 2.6 miles. The trail now follows the west bank of the river.

At 3.2 miles the trail reaches Great Falls. The falls are spectacular during times of high water and usually dry in the summer. The trail now crosses Housatonic River Road and begins to ascend Prospect Mountain. At 6.0 miles the trail reaches the 1475 foot summit of Prospect Mountain. There are good views from the summit. At 6.7 miles reach the blue blazed side trail on the left that leads to Limestone Spring Shelter. At 6.8 miles the trail passes Rand's View.

At 7.2 miles the trail passes a rock formation called "Giant's Thumb". At 7.6 miles reach another viewpoint, this one called "Billy's View". At 9.3 miles reach plateau of Barrack Matiff. The trail now descends using a series of switchbacks. At 10.1 miles pass through a gap in a stone wall and follow US 44 toward Salisbury. At 10.3 miles cross US 44 and follow Lower Cobble Road. This ends this stretch 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.