Mt. Frissell, Ct... Sketchy!
Over the past two days I completed two of New England’s high points. The first… Mt. Frissell. The trailhead which starts in Salisbury, Connecticut and leads to the peak located in Massachusetts, does not contain the highest peak in Connecticut but rather the highest point in Connecticut. Bear Mountain actually holds the highest peak in Connecticut. On the whole, I found this hike to be super sketchy. From the start, the dirt road leading to the trailhead (Mt. Washington Rd.) was incredibly narrow, barely big enough for one car at times, let alone two. The road was extremely rocky and littered with potholes. Luckily, I did not pass a single car on this road as there would have been a problem if I had. Thankfully, I left the mountain traveling north through Massachusetts where the road was better maintained then on the Connecticut side.
Finding the trail head was a bit of a challenge. You need to look for the Connecticut/Mass. Pillar located across the road from the trailhead.
There are two small clearings for parking located near the trail on either side of the road, but no sign designating the trailhead, only an old sign pointing in the direction of Bear Mountain and Mt. Washington across the road. Look for a trail with red paint.
The start the trail is very narrow with thick brush on both sides. I can honestly say I felt unsafe the whole time that I was hiking trail. I was waiting for something to jump out at me at any moment, a bear, a mountain lion, whatever. Thankfully, nothing got me. I never did see anyone on the trail over the two and a half hours it took me to hike from the trailhead to the tri-state pillar and back. That also creeped me out a bit, I felt extremely isolated. i would not recommend hiking this trail alone because in the event you get injured... you may be out there for a while before someone stumbles across you.
The trail was somewhat technical and not for a beginner. There were lots of large rocks and a few very steep and tricky sections. Earlier in the day it had rained which added to the thrill. Everything was very slick. A common misconception is that the first peak on the hike is the summit of Mt. Frissell, this is actually Round Mountain.
Mt. Frissell is actually located in the background of this photo. The peak of Mt. Frissell is wooded and has a box containing a hiking log book.
A short walk, descending down the other side to the mountain, you will come cross across Connecticut's high point.
And just a bit further down the trail you will find the tri-state marker. Interesting fact: Connecticut is not noted on this marker. Strange.
Overall, Mt. Frissell was an interesting and challenging hike. However, I would not recommend it for a beginner, and would not recommend it for the solo hiker.
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