Sugarloaf Mountain (south summit)

October 20, 2013
Distance: 0.8 miles
Time: 0.75 hours 

Map: Mt. Sugarloaf State Reservation 

Parking: Sugarloaf Street, near the intersection with 116 in South Deerfield, MA. Room for around 25 cars. It was packed when I went on a Sunday. You can also drive to the summit if you prefer not to hike.

Restrooms: At the summit
Post hike dinner: n/a

Directions: From the parking area, head towards the kiosk, where you can hopefully get a copy of the DCR map. Turn right, and cross the road that goes up to the summit. Look for the sign for Pocumtuck Trail. Then just follow the dirt trail up. There is an observation tower at the summit. You can take dogs up the first level, but not up to the second level.

Notes: This is a very popular hiking area. Expect to be hiking along with many other people. The trail is short but steep. It is mostly a hard dirt trail.

Kiosk in parking area

Sign for trail. You just head up, follow the crowd :)

On the summit, there is a chain link fence between the trail and the road. There is a wire rope fence that you squeeze through (I needed to take off my backpack) to get off the trail onto the road.

Observation tower. There was a group of musicians playing at the base of the  tower.
Trek and I sat down on the grass and listened, enjoying the beautiful weather.

View from the grassy summit area (dog's eye view - more of a view if you stand up)