AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

Cockaponset State Forest

Cockaponset State Forest Viewpoint & YMCA Pond

6.5 mi · ▲ 626 ft · 2 hr 29 min

Cockaponset State Forest Viewpoint & YMCA Pond is a 6.5-mile out-and-back in Cockaponset State Forest near Durham Center, CT. The route passes Cockaponset State Forest Viewpoint and YMCA Pond before reaching YMCA Pond at the turnaround, 3.2 miles in. It climbs 626 ft. It scores 61/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.

Elevation

0 mi341 – 650 ft7.1 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.45779, -72.65125
Nearest town Durham Center, CT
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Cockaponset State Forest Viewpoint & YMCA Pond

6.5 mi · ▲ 626 ft · 2 hr 29 min

Elevation 342–649 ft

Out & Back · Cockaponset State Forest

Trailhead: 41.45779, -72.65125

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

Parking lot at the trailhead

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading SE.
  2. 450 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  3. 1.3 miBear right, heading NW.
  4. 350 ftPass Cockaponset State Forest Viewpoint.
  5. 0.6 miTurn left, heading N.
  6. 0.7 miTurn right, heading W.
  7. 50 ftPass YMCA Pond.
  8. 250 ftTurn right, heading E.
  9. 0.1 miBear left, heading NE.
  10. 50 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  11. 300 ftTurn left, heading E.
  12. 0.2 miPass YMCA Pond.
  13. 0.1 miReach Cockaponset State Forest Viewpoint, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  14. 0.3 miTurn right, heading SE.
  15. 300 ftTurn right, heading NE.
  16. 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
  17. 0.1 miTurn left, heading E.
  18. 250 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  19. 0.7 miTurn right, heading SE.
  20. 0.7 miBear left, heading SW.
  21. 1.3 miTurn right, heading SE.
  22. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

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

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/ymca-pond-ymca-pond-out-back-3-lakes-15-km-d26d

Weather

Sunrise 6:37 AMSunset 6:53 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~20 min). Leave by 6:13 PM for the 6:53 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:28 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

More sunset hikes nearby

Good to know

  • Parking lot at the trailhead

Other ways to reach this destination

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Hikes near Durham Center, Connecticut