Singepole Mountain

There are two ways up this delightful mountain (1,414 feet), which has good views from wide, open ledges and a quarry pond.

One of the routes starts by Halls Pond (which is the town’s water source, so no swimming!). If you don’t feel like climbing up, you can just follow the 1.4-mile trail around the peaceful pond. But I recommend climbing! The route from the pond to the first truly great viewpoint is just about 1 mile one way and is well marked with blazes. It is steep in parts but quickly reaches a wonderful reward.

From the parking area by the pond, follow the level path around the pond clockwise. When you reach the north end of the pond, at 0.5 miles, you’ll see the mountain path head off to the left. It is marked with blazes on several trees. The first part of the summit trail crosses logged woods for about 0.25 miles before entering the woods and making its way steeply up ledges. You’ll reach the spectacular view, from open ledge that stretch a good ways across the mountain, in another 0.25 miles.

From this viewpoint, continue to the quarry 0.2 miles farther, (marked with a red icon on my map). The true summit (which has no views) is reachable via a path that heads east (right) from the quarry. There are some discrete No Trespassing signs on the summit discouraging hikers from continuing much farther.

A second 1.4-mile trail up Singepole leaves from the Durrell Hill Road trailhead on the western side of Singepole. It is less steep and slightly longer than the Halls Pond trail. The path is maintained by a snowmobile club, I think, so watch for the yellow snowmobile signs to help you find your way to the quarry and view. It’s not marked as well as your average land trust trail, but if you keep your wits about you, you should be fine!

To reach it, you’ll park a couple hundred feet away from the trail on Durrell Hill Road, and then continue walking straight up the road. At the first fork in the trail, go left. You’ll pass a big red building. Continue going straight/left at the next intersection a little ways farther along. Keep following the snowmobile signs! I also saw one cairn. At 1.2 miles, you’ll come to a beautiful quarry pond that could be a good place for a dip? The trail passes the quarry and swings right. You should head straight to reach a fabulous viewpoint 0.2 miles south of the quarry. (Another path heads left/east here to the viewless 1,414-foot summit of Singepole.)

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Directions: For the Durrell Hill Road trail: from Route 117, turn onto Brett Hill Road. When the road curves sharply to the right, continue straight up Durrell Hill Road. When the trail forks again, park. Continue walking straight up the road. For the Halls Pond trail: From Route 119, turn onto Halls Pond Road, which is a semi-circle with two outlets on Route 119. If you’re coming from Paris, the two-vehicle parking lot is on the left just before you reach the small ramp by the pond. More parking is available by the side of the road.