Mt. Everett State Reservation, MA (Race Brook Falls, Mt. Race to Sages Ravine via the Appalachian Trail)

ABOUT THE PARK:
Mt. Everett State Reservation - Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation

DIRECTIONS:
GPS Coordinates 42.089478, -73.411248

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Off-road parking for about 5-6 cars.

TRAIL MAP:
South Taconic Trails Map (check for new edition Spring 2015) - NY/NJ Trail Conference
Mt. Washington State Forest Map - Massachusetts DCR
South Taconic Range Map - Berkshire Natural Resources Council, Inc.

HIKE DISTANCE:  13.75 miles out and back

HIKE DESCRIPTION:

Pick up the blue triangle-blazed Race Brook Falls Trail from the information board at about the mid point of the parking area.

Some things to note about the trail blazes:  For the most part they are blue triangles although there are some blue rectangles - all are part of the same trail.  Sometimes triangles are used point to the direction of a turn.  In other words, if the triangle is on it's side, that indicates a turn and it is sometimes hard to notice so you have to pay close attention.  Sometimes a "tail" is drawn in to make the turn more obvious.

I had read several accounts of how poorly the trail is blazed but it appears as through there has been recent reblazing and I had no trouble at all staying on the trail. If you aren't seeing blazes, you missed a turn.

The first fork gives  the option of seeing the lower falls via a .35 mile side trail to the right.

Race Brook Falls - Lower Falls

The only way to see the lower falls is to take the side trail and retrace back to the intersection then continue on the left branch of the trail.  At another fork about .35 mile ahead, there is another option to see the lower falls from the opposite side of the creek but the view is much better from the first fork.

The trail ascends and crosses the creek at the bottom of the upper falls.

Race Brook Falls - Upper Falls

Race Brook Falls Trail terminates at the Appalachian Trail

Appalachian Trail

The south bound Appalachian Trail ascends to the summit of Mt. Race.  Once at the top, the trail follows along the edge of the eastern side of the ridge for continuous panoramic views over a distance of over 1/2 mile.

Mt. Everett to the north as seen from Mt. Race

View of Massachusetts countryside to the east from Mt. Race

Twin Lakes in Connecticut from Mt. Race

Descend from Mt. Race, cross over Bear Rock Stream, descend into Sages Ravine:

Bear Rock Stream

Before crossing Sages Ravine Brook there is a "Welcome to MA" sign but you will still be in MA all along Sages Ravine.

Sages Ravine Brook

Sages Ravine

Where the Appalachian Trail starts to ascend to the left away from Sages Ravine Brook is a good turn around point.  The picture of the Sages Ravine sign is from up at the top of that hill but there is nothing else worth climbing up for unless you are doing a shuttle hike to parking areas in that direction.

Returning via Mt. Race

HIKE SUMMARY:
[  0.00]  From parking area take trail starting at kiosk (sign trail register)
[  0.30]  Right at fork towards lower falls
[  0.65]  Lower falls; retrace
[  1.00]  Back at intersection take left fork towards upper falls; trail parallels creek; watch for unmarked left turn to rock hop over creek short distance ahead
[  1.15]  Ascend two sets of log steps
[  1.35]  Keep left towards Race Brook Campsite (right trail to lower falls does not provide as good of a view as the first trail to the lower falls)
[  1.60]  Rock hop over creek at top of lower falls; trail turns left away from creek and ascends more steeply
[  1.75]  Trail levels out with views to the east through the trees
[  1.85]  Trail reaches creek, turns right and follows along right side of creek
[  1.95]  Cross creek to left over log bridge
[  2.10]  Rock hop over feeder stream
[  2.25]  Continue through Race Brook Campsite
[  2.50]  Trail switchbacks up short flight of stone steps
[  2.60]  Turn left on white-blazed Appalachian Trail at intersection
[  3.45]  360 degree views at top of rock scramble
[  4.10]  Trail leaves ridge into woods and descends
[  4.25]  Cross small stream
[  5.15]  Cross Bear Rock Stream
[  5.35]  Keep straight when trail to right goes to Laurel Ridge Campsite
[  6.05]  Keep straight when trail merges in from left (easy to miss veering left on the return route so be sure to turn around and make note of this area as a fork going in the opposite direction)
[  6.15]  Keep left when unmarked woods road goes right
[  6.25]  Rock hop across Sages Ravine Brook
[  6.35]  Ascend rock steps where trail parallels ravine from higher up
[  6.45]  Cross feeder stream on log bridge
[  6.75]  Keep left on white-blazed trail when log bridge crosses over on blue-blazed trail to Sages Ravine Campsite
[  7.00]  Turn around to head back when trail ascends uphill to the left
[  7.25]  Keep right on white-blazed trail when log bridge crosses over on blue-blazed trail to Sages Ravine Campsite
[  7.50]   Cross feeder stream on log bridge
[  7.70]   Rock hop across Sages Ravine Brook
[  7.85]  Keep straight on white-blazed trail when woods road comes in from left
[  7.95]  Left at unmarked fork when woods road goes right
[  8.70]  Straight on white-blazed trail when trail to Laurel Ridge Campsite goes left
[  8.85]  Cross Bear Rock Stream
[10.00]  Exit woods on to ridge with views
[10.40]  Summit of Mt. Race
[10.60]  360 degree views with Mt. Everett straight ahead before descending from Mt. Race
[ 11.55]  At intersection, right on blue triangle-blazed Race Brook Falls Trail
[ 11.80]  Follow trail through Race Brook Falls Campsite
[12.25]  Cross over log bridge
[12.35]  Watch for left turn over creek where trail appears to go straight
[12.70]  Cross creek at bottom of upper falls
[13.00]  Keep straight when side trail to lower falls goes left
[13.25]  Descend two sets of wooden steps
[13.35]  Trail turns left and rock hops over creek
[13.50]  Keep right at intersection where left goes to lower falls
[13.65]  Trail exits woods and skirts small field
[13.75]  Arrive at parking area

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