Mt. Ascutney via Windsor Trail

• Start on Windsor Trail.
• After 0.8 mile, look for a spur on the left and take this short path to check out Gerry's Falls on Mountain Brook.
• Return to Windsor Trail and continue climbing.
• After 0.8 mile you will reach a trail junction - both branches rejoin after 0.2 mile although the left-hand leg is the official Windsor Trail. If you take the left-hand "1903" segment, you will encounter another junction, at which you should turn right to avoid Blood Rock Trail (we will check this option out on the way down). But we took the right-hand "1857" leg in order to check out the log shelter built in 1968 which is on the right side of the trail shortly before this branch rejoins the main trail.
• Upon reaching the junction, 0.2 mile later where the two branches rejoin, if coming from the "1857" leg, turn right to continue the uphill climb on Windsor Trail; when coming from the "1903" segment, turn left to continue the climb.
• After 0.2 mile, you will go by the upper junction for Blood Rock Trail on the left, which we will check out on the way back.
• Continuing on Windsor Trail, you will pass by Futures Trail coming in from the left after 0.2 mile.
• Still on Windsor Trail, and another 0.2 mile later, will be another junction, this time with Castle Rock Trail, which leads left. If you wish, you can take a small detour on this trail reaching Castle Rock in less than 0.1 mile where there are views over the Connecticut Valley (Castle Rock Trail continues beyond this point soon meeting Slot Trail). Return to/stay on Windsor Trail and continue upwards.
• Less than 0.1 mile later will be a junction with Brownsville Trail. To the right, Brownsville Trail runs by itself; to the left it runs in combination with Windsor Trail. Bear left/straight to follow the combined Windsor / Brownsville Trail.
• In less than 0.1 mile there is a short spur to the right leading to Brownsville Rock which is an open ledge with northerly views towards the Green Mountains.
• After checking out the spur, keep going on the combined Windsor / Brownsville Trail. At this point you are only 0.2 mile from the summit.
• Very soon you will pass a junction on the left with Slot Trail.
• Next you will encounter the observation tower.
• And finally Windsor / Brownsville Trail ends as it runs into Weathersfield Trail which climbs the mountain from another side. At this point, there is a short spur to the left which leads to the official, viewless, summit of the mountain where there are communication towers.

• From the summit area, retrace your steps on the combined Windsor / Brownsville Trail (being careful not to descend on the Weathersfield Trail).
• Go past the junction with Slot Trail on the right and the Brownsville Rock spur on the left, and about 0.2 mile from the summit area, turn right onto Windsor Trail.
• You will quickly pass the junction with Castle Rock Trail on the right and then 0.2 mile later the Futures Trail junction also on the right.
• Continue on Windsor Trail for another 0.2 mile and then turn right onto Blood Rock Trail which will bring you past a viewpoint before rejoining Windsor Trail farther down.
• Follow Blood Rock Trail for about 0.3 mile where the trail bends to the left. Just beyond this elbow is an open ledge on the right providing a view.
• Continue on Blood Rock Trail for about 0.2 mile at which time it will meet up with the lower part of the "1903" branch of Windsor Trail.
• Keep straight (the left-hand turn leads back up the mountain) and in 0.1 mile you will be at the base of the spot where Windsor Trail splits.
• Continue straight down Windsor Trail for 1.6 miles to return to the parking lot. Halfway through this segment, you will again go by the spur for Gerry's Falls on the right.

• Take Exit 8 (Ascutney) off I-91 to Rt. 131.
• Head east on Rt. 131 for about 0.4 mile until reaching a traffic light.
• Turn left onto Rt. 5 North.
• Follow Rt. 5 North for 1.2 miles, then bear left onto Rt. 44A.
• Follow Rt. 44A for 2.8 miles then park on the left at the Windsor Trailhead opposite an "ATA" (Ascutney Trails Association) sign on the right-hand side of the road. Along Rt. 44A, you will pass by Mountain Road–the state park's auto road–after 1.2 miles; and then reach the Windsor Trailhead 1.6 miles after that.

• Take Exit 9 (Harland-Windsor) off I-91 to Rt. 5.
• Follow Rt. 5 South for 4.1 miles through downtown Windsor.
• Turn right onto Rt. 44 West and follow it for 3.3 miles until reaching a junction with Rt. 44A.
• Leave Rt. 44 and turn sharply left onto Rt. 44A.
• Travel 0.2 mile on Rt. 44A to find the Windsor Trailhead and parking area on the right, opposite an "ATA" (Ascutney Trails Association) sign on the left.

• Overnight camping and campfires are allowed only at designated sites in the developed campground. Inquire at the park office for more information.
• Stay on marked hiking trails. Hiking off trails causes erosion and destroys vegetation.
• Keep the trails free of litter. Carry out what you carry in.
• Keep pets on a leash at all times.
• Trails are for foot travel only. ATVs and mountain bikes are not permitted in the park or on the trail system.
• Leave all wildflowers and plants in their natural environment for others to enjoy.
• For your safety, keep away from all transmitter towers and buildings located on South Peak and North Peak of Mount Ascutney.

• Mt. Ascutney Summit Loop on 10/11/2008
• Mt. Ascutney via Weathersfield Trail on 11/06/1999

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