Bear Mountain

"A quick hike of Bear this morning. I hiked in from the east and did a loop hike. The northern side of Bear along the AT is really steep. There is a massive cairn (or maybe former building) near the summit. I determined the summit to be on a herd path in the woods. I was socked in today unfortunately. The southern side of Bear on the AT is gentle and I was able to cruise down it and back to my car. " — newenglandwarrior • Aug 31, 2024

"Started on the Undermountain Trail and did the loop counter clockwise. Busy summit, but most foot traffic was headed in the clockwise direction. Great hiking weather, partly cloudy and a little cool out there. Nice hike through the woods with some fun scrambles and beautiful views from the top." — jodola • Aug 13, 2022

"Got out for a hike ahead of the snow storm. Nice out and back along the Appalachian Trail to the state’s highest summit to kick off getting snowed-in for the weekend in Northern Connecticut. " — wacbravo • Jan 19, 2019

"Summited in the morning of day 3 of a solo weekend northbound backpack of the CT Appalachian Trail. After descending the summit, I continued on to Sages Ravine to ensure I made it into MA, then backtracked to the Paradise Lane Trail and out along the Under Mountain Trail to my shuttle. " — wacbravo • Apr 16, 2017

"Picked a solid day to summit Connecticut's highest peak! Trails are in great shape. The top has an interesting somewhat clear area before the summit. Used Under Mountain trail and then looped back using Paradise Lane trail through some lowlands. A great easy/moderate hike for anyone looking to bag a state high point and get a good view or 2. " — Gregrog • Aug 24, 2014

"Beautiful day. We walked the loop - Under Mountain Trail, Appalachian Trail, then Paradise Lane Trail. About six miles. The rocky almost vertical section after the peak was a bit tricky, but the rest was plain sailing." — tobym • May 18, 2014

"Day 3 of our backpack of the AT from Jug End road to Rt 41. Packed up after a stay at Sages Ravine and headed up and over Bear mtn and Lions Head to get to our shuttle car on Rt 41. The highest peak in Ct though not the highest point which is approx. 2 miles to the west." — Nimblefoot • Aug 21, 1994

"Road in narrow and isolated. Summit windy with a driving rain. Lots of blueberries. Did South slope of Frissell. Bear Moutain may be highest peak but is not the highest point in Connecticut - is it?" — louhibbard • Sep 26, 1992

"When I visited this area in 1987 I was puzzled. I was trying to reach the highest point in Connecticut, but I had conflicting information. One source said Bear Mountain was the highest mountain in Connecticut and another source mentioned Mount Frissell. I was convinced I had reached the highest spot in Connecticut when I summited Bear Mountain and read the stone plaque claiming Bear Mountain to be the highest in the state. The next day I learned that Bear Mountain is, indeed, the highest mountain in the state of Connecticut, but the south slope of Mount Frissell has claim to the highest point in Connecticut, even though the actual summit of Mount Frissell is in Massachusetts. I immediately climbed to the south slope of Mount Frissell to claim the true highest spot in Connecticut." — Stewy • Jun 9, 1987