Metacomet: Peak Mountain

Metacomet: Peak Mountain and West Suffield Mountain

Connecticut Blue Blaze Trail, Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy, and Suffield Land Conservancy

142 acres in East Granby and Suffield, CT

Parking:

• South End: Shoulder parking near 8 Newgate Rd, East Granby, CT
• North End: Shoulder parking near 2801 Phelps Rd, West Suffield, CT

Trail Map         Trails: 4.3 miles     Rating: ★★★★☆

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This section of the blue blaze Metacomet/New England Trail run through two towns and is protected by a number of parcels from two land trusts (see History section below).  This another rugged section of trail with fantastic overlooks from the Metacomet Ridge.

Hiking

I first started this popular section of trail from the south end right of Route 20 in Granby.  The trail climbs very steeply on eroding trail just off the busy road but quickly leaves the noise behind once reaching the ridge top.  The trail is well worn and easy to travel cutting close to private property on the eastern side in a couple places.  Big wind storms have through the area is the past couple years knocking down big trees all along the ridge, but all have been cleared from the trail.

After a fairly flat stretch atop the ridge the trail climbs again to the rocky knob of Peak Mountain about 1 mile into the hike for a fantastic overlook west and south over Granby that reminds me strongly of Pinnacle Overlook at Penwood State Park farther south. The spot is fantastic for sunset views.

From the overlook the trail continues north along the ridge crossing into Suffield and reaches the Windsor Locks Primitive Campsite about 2 miles into the hike.  The site is a flat spot off the backside of the ridge accessed by a short trail marked by a ‘Tensite’ sign.  It doesn’t have a reliable water source nearby, but there are containers regularly refilled for general use in an insulated box (water should be filtered before drinking).

The trail then heads over West Suffield Mountain along the backside of Sunrise Park.  It then passes Chimney Point before descending through the Spencer Woods Wildlife Preserve to reach Phelps Road and Rt. 168.

Heading north: 0.1 mile road walk to reach Alcorn Preserve | North Terminus

Heading south: 0.2 mile road walk on Newgate Rd coming from Tariffville Gorge and Hatchett Hill

History:

The 28.9 acre Old Newgate Ridge property was acquired by the East Granby Land Trust (merged in 2023 to become the Traprock Ridge Land Conservancy) in 1979. The Suffield Land Conservancy acquired the 39.5 acre Ridgetop Preserve in 2002 and September 2017, the 12 acre Dildillian Woodlot in December 1983, the 9.9 acre Harmon Woodlot in December 1981, and the 51.7 acre Spencer Woods Wildlife Preserve in 1981 and September 2017.

Links:

• CTMQ – Metacomet Trail: Section 14 (2020)
• Peter Marteka – West Suffield Mountain Offers One Of The ‘Best Views In State’ (2012)

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Last updated April 16th, 2023