Starting from the roadside parking area/pulloff, visitors can access the Cow Mountain Pond Forest along a forest road that crosses private property for a short distance before reaching an old gate and soon an old log landing on the right- please respect private lands and landowners and do not block the road. The main Cow Mountain Pond Trail leaves the upper corner of the log landing and climbs southward to a smaller landing and the junction with the Cow Mountain Trail, which continues to the left. From the junction, the Cow Mountain Pond Trail descends gently a short distance and soon reaches the undeveloped shore of Cow Mountain Pond.
The Cow Mountain Trail continues to follow the main forest road and, in approximately ½-mile, after crossing a small stream reaches the junction with the Back Loop Trail. Continuing south, the Cow Mountain Trail crosses a second small stream before turning abruptly right (west) off the main forest road. From here, the forest road continues, unmaintained to the south. The Cow Mountain Trail- a footpath now- follows the edge of a wetland clearing and, turning uphill, begins a winding climb to the summit of Cow Mountain (elev. 2348’) where a short side trail leads to a view toward the east.
From the boulder vista, the Back Loop Trail soon turns east and climbs gradually up a low but prominent ridge where, descending briefly, it reaches a vista atop a ledge after about 0.5 miles. From the ledge, the trail steadily descends another 0.5 miles through mixed hardwoods, passing a large glacial erratic, and eventually reaching a low area. Crossing the lowland, the trail climbs up onto a sidehill and follows the edge of an extensive beaver influenced wetland. Leaving the beaver pond, the trail rejoins a large forest road and, reaching a T junction, turns left (west) where it soon connects back to the Cow Mountain Pond Trail and the main access trail.
Visitors will enjoy excellent opportunities for birding and wildlife viewing, including moose, grouse, beaver, songbirds, etc.
Motorized vehicles and bicycles are prohibited from the property.
Note: Trail maintenance on the Back Loop Trail is planned for the 2021-2022 field season to address frequent flooding caused by beaver activity. Stay tuned for trail updates.
For more information, contact:
Town of Granby - Cow Mountain Management CommitteeFrom Granby, head east on the Granby Road. Turn right onto Cow Mountain Pond rd. Parking is available in a widened pull off just down the road. Please do not block the road.
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