Explore the most popular trails near Westfield with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you.
Not much of a view I could find, but interesting hike for newbies slightly out of shape like me looking for a small challenge. Some parts are quite rocky, but not that many. Hike is a rather steady slope, the only flat-ish parts will be the tops and some area between Gilpin and Domey's.
We planned on hiking Jay Peak, parked the car on route 242 as expected (east side, lots of space for cars) and saw a clearly marked trail head with a map, and signs saying "Catamount XC ski trail" so we continued. The trail was clearly marked with light blue signs for about an hour. We were expecting it to get steeper but it didnt. We continued anyway and then the markers stopped appearing, and the trail became less apparent until we hit what seemed like a logging road. Had no idea which way to go, there were no indicators and where we emerged from the forest was not obvious, so we left our own marker for backtracking. We headed left on the road, hiked about quarter mile and found a trail at the end and soon more light blue Catamount signs. But it was all downhill at that point, and after another 30 minutes we decided to backtrack back up the slope. Suffice to say it was not Jay, and was probably Gilpin. We later saw the trail head for Jay across the road and about 30 yards south (toward Montgomery) but it was not at all apparent. As for Gilpin, lots of mud for mid July, and quite buggy closer to the top. I've already mentioned the vanishing markings that cause confusion.
Saw a bear and had to turn around
One of my favourite trails - the hike to Jay is simple yet rewarding. Done in Autumn the view from the top, while occasionally chilly can priovide stunning views of the Jay state forest. For an additional workout the route to Gilpin and beyond is a bonus, although i have yet to find a view from any of the 3.
