Cockaponset State Forest

White Cross Viewpoint–Upper Guilford Lake, 4 sights

12.6 mi · ▲ 722 ft · 4 hr 34 min

White Cross Viewpoint–Upper Guilford Lake, 4 sights is a 12.6-mile out-and-back in Cockaponset State Forest near Rockland, CT. The route passes Upper Guilford Lake before reaching White Cross Viewpoint at the turnaround, 6.3 miles in. It climbs 722 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 39/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi62 – 397 ft13.6 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Goat Hill Road 41.39641, -72.65239
Nearest town Rockland, CT

Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

White Cross Viewpoint–Upper Guilford Lake, 4 sights

12.6 mi · ▲ 722 ft · 4 hr 34 min

Elevation 62–398 ft

Out & Back · Cockaponset State Forest

Trailhead: Goat Hill Road · 41.39641, -72.65239

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:37 AM · sunset 6:53 PM

Toilets at the trailhead · Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start on Goat Hill Road, heading SW.
  2. 1.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  3. 1.1 miSharp right onto Race Hill Road, heading S.
  4. 1 miTurn left onto Hart Road, heading NW.
  5. 0.2 miBear right onto New England Trail, heading S.
  6. 2.5 miContinue straight onto Red Trail, heading W.
  7. 0.2 miPass Upper Guilford Lake.
  8. 250 ftBear right onto New England Trail, heading SE.
  9. 150 ftBear right onto White Circle Trail, heading S.
  10. 0.2 miReach White Cross Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  11. 0.2 miBear left onto New England Trail, heading S.
  12. 150 ftBear left onto Red Trail, heading S.
  13. 0.2 miContinue straight onto New England Trail, heading NW.
  14. 2.5 miBear left onto Hart Road, heading NE.
  15. 0.2 miTurn right onto Race Hill Road, heading N.
  16. 1 miSharp left onto Goat Hill Road, heading SE.
  17. 1.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  18. 1.1 miArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail surface

71% dirt29% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:37 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.3 mi in (~36 min). Leave by 5:57 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:41 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp. Car visible from the viewpoint

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Toilets at the trailhead
  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Goat Hill Road Trailhead