From the trailhead, head north on the blue-blazed Guilder Pond Trail, almost immediately crossing a creek on a split log footbridge. The trail follows the shore of Guilder Pond, which is 2,048 feet above sea level, making it the second highest pond in Massachusetts. At times, the trail heads into the hemlock forest, then returns to the pond. After walking for 0.6 mile (three-quarters of the...
Hike Description:
From the trailhead, head north on the blue-blazed Guilder Pond Trail, almost immediately crossing a creek on a split log footbridge. The trail follows the shore of Guilder Pond, which is 2,048 feet above sea level, making it the second highest pond in Massachusetts. At times, the trail heads into the hemlock forest, then returns to the pond. After walking for 0.6 mile (three-quarters of the way around the pond), an unmarked side trail on the right leads you to a large rock ledge overlooking the entire pond. This is a great place to take a break.
When you’re ready to continue, return to the Guilder Pond Trail and turn right. In another 500 feet, the white-blazed Appalachian Trail (A.T.) joins from the left. Continue ahead, now following both blue and white blazes. Soon, you’ll reach the parking area.
There are two ways to reach the summit of Mount Everett from this parking lot. Straight ahead, beyond a gate, a gravel road ascends the mountain. To your left, at a large Appalachian Trail sign, the A.T. also ascends the mountain. We will climb the mountain on the gravel road and return via the A.T. You’ll be climbing a vertical distance of about 550 vertical feet in only 0.7 mile, so the climb is rather steep.
After climbing a short distance on the gravel road, the A.T. joins briefly from the left, then leaves to the right, ascending stone steps. Soon, you will see a stone shelter up the mountain to your right, and in half a mile from the parking area, you’ll reach the shelter, with panoramic views. On the horizon in the distance, you can see (on a clear day) Mount Greylock, the highest mountain in Massachusetts, about 40 miles away. To the left of Mount Greylock you are looking into New York, to the right Massachusetts, and just on the other side of Mount Greylock is Vermont. New Hampshire would be beyond the horizon to the right.
After enjoying the views, continue uphill on the gravel road. A short distance beyond, you’ll reach another junction with the A.T. Turn left and follow the A.T. to the summit of Mount Everett. Along the way, several short trails on the left lead to south-facing viewpoints.
The summit of Mount Everett (elevation 2,602 feet), marked by the footings of a former fire tower (removed in 2003), is the highest point of the South Taconic Mountains in Massachusetts. Looking over the pitch pine and scrub oak, you can catch views of the rest of the South Taconics to the south, the Catskills to the west, and the Berkshires to the north. There are side trails that lead to even better views.
After exploring the summit, retrace your steps down on the A.T. Watch your footing if the trail is wet, as it can be very slippery. Follow the A.T. down the mountain all the way to the parking lot where the hike began.
Publication: Submitted by Daniela Wagstaff on 10/26/2011 updated/verified on 07/16/2024Travel through two different worlds from the tranquil and beautiful old growth forest of Guilder Pond, the second highest pond in Massachusetts, to stunning panoramic views on the way up to Mount Everett’s dwarf forest summit.