Meshomasic State Forest

Gulf Hill–Great Hill Pond Loop, 8 lakes

9.4 mi · ▲ 1,254 ft · 3 hr 46 min

Gulf Hill–Great Hill Pond Loop, 8 lakes is a 9.4-mile loop in Meshomasic State Forest near Cobalt, CT. The route passes State Park Pond, Gulf Hill, Kelseys Pond and 2 more. It climbs 1,254 ft, with sections as steep as 28% grade. It scores 74/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi282 – 807 ft · steepest grade: 28%10.0 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Shenipsit Trail 41.57741, -72.55071
Nearest town Cobalt, CT

Directions

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Gulf Hill–Great Hill Pond Loop, 8 lakes

9.4 mi · ▲ 1,254 ft · 3 hr 46 min

Elevation 282–806 ft

Loop · Meshomasic State Forest

Trailhead: Shenipsit Trail · 41.57741, -72.55071

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 6:53 PM

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading N.
  2. 50 ftPass State Park Pond.
  3. 0.1 miBear left, heading N.
  4. 0.4 miBear right onto Shenipsit Trail, heading N.
  5. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NE.
  6. 150 ftTurn left, heading E.
  7. 0.4 miBear left onto Woodchoppers Road, heading NW.
  8. 100 ftBear right, heading NW.
  9. 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
  10. 0.2 miPass Gulf Hill.
  11. 150 ftTurn right, heading W.
  12. 0.7 miTurn left onto Cox Road, heading N.
  13. 0.2 miTurn right, heading W.
  14. 300 ftPass Kelseys Pond.
  15. 150 ftReach Gulf Hill, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  16. 450 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  17. 0.6 miTurn right, heading NE.
  18. 0.2 miPass Portland Reservoir.
  19. 200 ftSharp right, heading E.
  20. 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
  21. 0.5 miBear right onto Mulford Road, heading E.
  22. 0.4 miTurn left, heading S.
  23. 350 ftBear left, heading S.
  24. 0.4 miTurn right, heading NE.
  25. 0.7 miBear left, heading E.
  26. 0.3 miBear right, heading S.
  27. 1.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
  28. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  29. 0.9 miPass Great Hill Pond.
  30. 450 ftTurn left, heading S.
  31. 0.5 miBear left, heading E.
  32. 150 ftContinue straight onto Shenipsit Trail, heading NE.
  33. 0.3 miThe loop closes back at the trailhead.

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

Trail surface

54% dirt10% gravel1% grass35% unspecified

Weather

Sunrise 6:36 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

More from Shenipsit Trail Trailhead