Knox Mountain, Newfield

Knox Mountain, roughly 800 feet or so, is a lovely destination in the almost 4,000-acre Vernon S. Walker Wildlife Management Area, which is home to the wonderful Abbott Mountain as well. The trail is not blazed or marked, but it is very easy to follow. The wide pathway begins in an aisle of trees between two fields. You’ll walk through this corridor to some light-filled forests. At some point, you’ll cross a stream over a small bridge. When you get to a dirt road, the path continues on the other side. Once you come to a stone wall, the path turns up more steeply for the final ascent to the rocky summit with views on either side of the open ledges. The rocks at the summit have a slightly pinkish cast. The length to the summit is about 1 mile, and it’s fairly easy.

Before you reach the summit, a trail heads off to the west with a Dead End sign. If you walk a hundred yards, you’ll see a view over farmland. While the sign says ‘dead end,’ it does appear that a snowmobile trail continues on past the farm and into the woods? I didn’t have the energy to check it out.

Directions: At the trailhead, there’s room for just a couple of cars. It’s off Water Street/Route 11 (roughly at 520 Water Street, West Newfield), opposite Hick Road. You’ll see a sign for the state’s wildlife management area.