Mt. Jefferson South Loop Trail Hike
Quick Facts
- Distance: 5.4 Miles
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Restrictions: No motorized vehicles, No bikes
Trailhead
- Hubbardston: Mt Jefferson Road near Malone Road. Google Maps
Description
- This is a pleasant walk through fields and woods in the northwest side of Hubbardston.
- The trails loop through pine and deciduous forests and down along Canesto Brook before returning uphill back to the parking area.
Route Details
1. Start on Gates Trail
- Begin the hike by following the Gates Trail out through the large field, parallel to Mt. Jefferson Road.
- At the end of the field, this trail turns left and descends through the forest in a winding path, eventually emerging to a clearing (point 1 on the map)
- Turn left at this point and then right on the Old Cross Road
2. Mt. Jefferson Road to Muzzy Ridge Loop
- Turn left on the paved road and follow to the next trail junction, a right onto the Muzzy Ridge Trail.
- This is a pleasant short loop on the north side of Mt. Jefferson Road.
- Return to Mt. Jefferson Road and turn left to return to Old Cross Trail.
3. Old Cross Trail to End
- Take old Cross Trail back down to point 2 and turn left onto the Canesto Brook Trail.
- Follow this trail to the big turn onto the Behind the Chimney Trail and turn left.
- This follows a wide gravel road briefly and then goes off on an easier and smaller woods trail, returning uphill to the parking area.
Other Options to Consider
- There are several options in Mt. Jefferson Conservation Area, as shown on the map. A loop around the entire hiking area, including the Templeton Forest parts which are north of Mt. Jefferson Conservation Area, makes for a seven-Ish mile hike.
- The route is nice for snowshoeing.
- Note that in wet times, Parts of the Mill Pond Trail can be flooded out. Normally the problem is best seen at the right turn after descending from the field on the Gates trail.
