Boquet Mountain Trail

Hike Description: From the Cook Road end (south) the trail goes for more than a mile on a mild logging road through the forest. Then it becomes a trail with some up and down and some sections across a slope and beneath rock ledges. It traverses a wetter lowland forest and climbs up between south and north Boquet Mountains. By the time you reach the Jersey St end (north) you are making a pretty steady descent. Watch for fallen logs, prickers and some poison ivy at the north end.

Trailhead Location: This trail can be approached from either end. The North end starts on Jersey St about 1.5 miles west of the junction with NYS Route 22 or about 0.8 miles east of the corner at Brookfield Rd. The trailhead is on the south side of the road. The South end the trail starts on Cook Road about 3/4 of a mile up the hill from the junction with Leaning Rd or 0.3 miles east of Brookfield Rd. The trailhead is on the north side of the road.

  • Best Feature of Trail: Occasional views of the Champlain Valley through trees as you walk along the trail. Another feature is that it provides an easy walk through an attractive forest.
  • Sights: The trail travels through varying habitat from dry forest to wet and past grassy, rocky outcroppings with intermittent views. It is a very pretty trail and round trip is a good 6 mile walk.
  • Trail Length: This trail is about 3 miles one way.
  • Trail Type: There and back with side trails
  • Trail Difficulty: Mild Hike
  • Trail Condition: muddy in places, rough terrain in places
  • Parking: Roadside Parking
  • Animal Signs: We saw many garter snakes, toads and even a woodfrog on one hike. There are birds everywhere but the thickness of the forest makes identification a lucky thing. We did see a rose-breasted grosbeak and heard many chickadees.
  • Location: Essex, NY 12936
  • Last Updated: 2008-11-25

Additional Resources: Download a Trail Map here. Check out a species list for the Boquet Mountain Trail, and download a Trail Guide (courtesy of Making Tracks).