Mount equinox Hike, a steep Trek in Manchester
What up my fellow Road Trip Warriors!? This blurb will take you along the hike up to the summit of Mount Equinox in Vermont. It is the tallest mountain in the Taconic Range and one you can also drive up (but that is cheating). There is a visitor center on the summit, maps pointing out mountains in the surrounding region, and a monastery. The views from the summit are worth the steep climb and the summit has plenty of open space where you can spread out. If you are looking to hike to the summit of this Vermont mountain, check out everything you need to know below.
Summary of Mount Equinox
- Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous depending on the physical shape you are in
- Length: Websites say about 6.25 miles round trip. I would put it closer to 7 miles if you are checking out the pipe spring and Lookout Rock.
- Elevation: 3,840′
- Prominence: 3,040′
- Elevation Gain: Roughly 2,840′
- Hiking Time: 6-7 hours although you could do it in less if you went straight to the summit
- Photo Opportunities: The best spots to take photos while on this hike would be Lookout Rock and obviously the summit of Mount Equinox itself. The pipe spring is a cool spot if you would like to capture a few images of it as well as Mr. Barbo’s grave.
Trailhead
The trailhead for the Mount Equinox Hike is located at the end of West Union Street in Manchester Vermont. On your right will be a parking lot for the trailhead with a big red gate. This is also known as the “Red Gate Trail” which eventually will meet up with a junction for the “Blue Summit Trail.” This is the only trail to the summit of the mountain.
Hiking the trail
As mentioned above, you start at the Red Gate trail, but meet up with a junction where you will find the Blue Summit Trail. This is the only trail to the summit and the one you want to be on. It is dignified by a large post (see below). The beginning of this trail is a gradual incline, meandering its way through the Vermont forest.
However, this trail will notably get steeper as you will gain 2,840′ within the distance of 3 miles. For those that are not aware, that is a steep ascent. Despite the strenuous effort needed to summit this mountain, please know that there are no technical areas and getting to the top is straightforward. Just keep pushing onward.
The Pipe spring
About halfway up the mountain there is a bench and a short trail off of the Blue Summit Trail that will lead you to a spring. It is not a far trek and the spring flows out of a white pipe. It is nothing spectacular, but worth checking out nonetheless. After visiting the spring, make your way back to the bench and continue your ascent.
Lookout Rock and Mr. Barbo’s Gravestone
Shortly before reaching the summit (about .2 miles from the summit to be more exact), there is a trail that splits off to what is known as “Lookout Rock.” From this lookout you will be able to look down into the town of Manchester as well as the surrounding region. The lookout also has a marble bench nearby.
On the way to and from Lookout Rock you will notice a large gravestone with a dog’s head etched into it. This is the grave of Mr. Barbo, a dog that was shot by a hunter on the mountain. The dog was owned by Dr. Joseph George Davidson, an executive at Union Carbide Corporation. At the end of a prosperous career he had been buying up land on Equinox. He lived there for the remainder of his life with his wife and dog, Mr. Barbo who was a Norwegian Elkhound and Siberian Husky mix.
After Mr. Barbo had been shot, Davidson made it a rule that no hunting was permitted on the mountain, a rule that still stands to this day. The assailant’s identity was never found, but the Carthusian monks that Davidson willed his estate to continue to upkeep Mr. Barbo’s grave. I have included a link below to a website with more information on this unique piece of history.
Summit of Mount Equinox
The summit of Mount Equinox hosts a viewing center, a parking lot, and commanding views of numerous states and mountain ranges on a clear day. The viewing center offers maps for the North and South views displaying what you are seeing. Fortunately the day I went was a clear day.
From the view North, you can see Killington Mountain, New York and the Adirondack Mountains, and New Hampshire in the far distance. From the view South, you can see Stratton Mountain, Mount Greylock in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and New York and the Catskill mountains in the distance.
The steep ascent to the top of this mountain is well-worth the effort with the commanding views mentioned above. It is also much more rewarding than driving up the mountain and you will be prouder of yourself for putting in the effort.
Hiking Back to the Trailhead
As mentioned throughout this hiking guide, blog, or whatever you would reference it as, the only trail up and down is the Blue Summit Trail. With that being said, descend the same way you hiked up the mountain. Meet up with the Red Gate Trail and head back to the lot where you parked your vehicle.
Dog-Friendly
Despite its steep ascent, the Mount Equinox hike is dog-friendly. You have to keep your pet on a leash though. I brought my Labrador/Black and Tan Coonhound mix up the mountain and he had a blast. The only time it was a struggle was on the descent when he kept spotting squirrels and chipmunks to chase which in turn tossed me around a bit. Make sure to compensate for extra water for your dog and some food for him to break up into the day.
Fam-Friendly
I think this hike is family-friendly, but it is a steep climb and I am not sure how children would handle it. However, I will leave that up to parental discretion. I also believe that this hike is best done by those in good physical shape, but I do not want to discourage anyone. If you want to go for the summit then do the full send on up.
Clothes/Gear worn on Mount Equinox Hike
- Northface hat
- Carhartt hoodie
- Athletic t-shirt
- Underarmour long-sleeve
- Compression shorts
- Mountain Khakis
- Wool socks from Eastern Mountain Sports
- Timberland hiking boots
Equipment/Food brought
- 3L of water
- Peanut butter granola bars, KIND bars, almonds
- Extra EMS hiking socks
- Bandana
- Extra shirt
- Wind/rain pants
- Emergency tent and blankets
- Knife
- Paracord and carabiners (non climbing carabiners)
- Water-proof matches
- Life-Straw (water filtration straw, costs about $20)
- First-Aid Kit
- Garmin InReach (satellite device that has a GPS, can send texts, send SOS, and has many other helpful features.
links and related topics to mount equinox hike
- Mr. Barbo Information – Atlas Obscura
- Additional information on Mount Equinox – 4000footers.com and Summit Post
- Wakely Mountain Hike – Wakely Mountain Fire Tower
rTW note
Thanks my fellow Road Trip Warriors for taking the time to read through this post on the Mount Equinox hike in Manchester, Vermont. It is steep, but well-worth the effort. If you found this post helpful or enjoyed the photos please share the link to the post on your social media, or send it to your friends! Stay safe and carry out what you carry in!
