After leaving New Jersey and the interstates behind, the route settle down into a winding hilly pattern of small farms and quiet communities. Arriving in Salisbury, CT we encountered unexpected traffic from a weekend Fall Festival and initially missed our turn off.

The hike starts at this CT-MA border marker shown from both CT and MA sides.

Doubling back we found the correct road and headed north, gradually losing pavement, grading and road width. We found the trailhead, a place to park and started off down a trail. Or, at least I think it was a trail. With all the recent rain the trail was more canal than footpath, as 3-4 inches of standing water puddled on top of the route. After a bit we hit an intersection and I suddenly realized we were on the Appalachian Trail. Opps, we had headed the wrong direction from the trailhead and were now at the base of Bear Mountain (The highest mountain in Connecticut, but no the highest point).

Heading back to the parking lot and past a group of AMC volunteers we figured we'd better actually read the directions in the Holms guide. Oriented, we now headed north up the road past the CT-MA border marker on the right and turned left on a red blazed trail. After a bit the trail turns south, then climbs to the summit of Round Mountain (in CT) up rain slickened rocks.

Starting the upward climb to Round Mountain (on the way to Frissel).

On top we felt as if we had arrived at the end of the earth. We could barely see 30 feet ahead of us, and the landscape just melted away into the thick clouds. I'm guessing on a clear day one could see Bear Mountain and Mount Frissel from this point. Thankfully, the trail was well blazed and we followed the path down to the saddle between Round Mountain and Mount Frissel.

From the saddle we climbed upward again to Mount Frissel's summit (in MA) then contoured around to the "green stake". Other than a rock cairn, there was nothing marking Connecticut's highest point as something of significance. The green stake only identifies the point as the state line between CT and MA.

The highpoint of Connecticut is one of only a few states whose highest point is located on a landmass that actually peaks in another state. Oklahoma and Nevada are the others.

After a few pictures we retraced our steps, being extra careful descending the slick rocks. From here we drove back to Salisbury and on to Massachusetts.

Taking a break at the summit of Round Mountain.

A section of the trail leading off Round Mt. toward Mt. Frissel. Note the blaze on the center of the rock.

A portion of the trail leading around Mt. Frissel to the CT highpoint.

Rock cairn marking the highest point in CT (the "green stake" is barely visable in the lower left).

Braving the winds back to Frissel's summit.