Have done a lot of hiking in my day, but this was one for the books! Started at the opening of the trail and we made sure to do stretches, so we wouldn't hurt ourselves. You could feel a certain eeriness here.. Went off the trail a bit and found a pair of sneakers and a stick for hiking, but no hiker?? Perhaps they belonged to Jerimoth Brown, an early settler, it was named after, who died at 47 years old in 1830. Also it's been told, later on hikers could not access the site, because of a private property owner named Henry Richardson, who was nicknamed "The Madman of Jerimoth Hill". Apparently he would scare off hikers. He died in 2005.
We found the trail and some geosurveys along the path, but then there were signs pointing in two different directions to the trail. We checked out the trail to the left and it came to another geosurvey and a path that seemed to be overrun with growth. Was someone or something trying to lead us off the trail? It had that "Blair Witch" feeling to it. We got back on the other trail after going around in circles what seemed like hours...🤔
We continued to follow and eventually came to almost a clearing and to the right was a rock with a metal box chained to a tree. I did not see any signs saying we were at the peak, as I've seen in other pics. I told my cool friend to stand back as I attempted to open the metal box. I was a bit worried it would blow up on me. But I opened it and there was a highpointers logbook, a mask that said 2020, some change, and bandaids. As this was happening, something spooked our mules and they ran off, which means we would have to carry our heavy packs or die in these woods. Our Sherpa was checking out the peak, and then he fell off! Me and my friend looked at each other like "what the heck just happened??" Then a blonde girl walked down the trail and my friend called out, "Is that our Sherpa??". She laughed and asked if we were high pointers. Then let us take pics and after we walked around she signed the log and disappeared.
We checked out the area and there was some weird metal torture device, a wooden building with a metal container inside with a warning label, a building that looked as if it was a snack shack or souvenir place, but low and behold we did not get a bumper sticker or magnet saying "I climbed Jerimoth Hill and survived". Can't say that for the Sherpa..🤦♀️
We managed to make it out of the woods and saw the girl get in a truck with New Jersey plates on it. Was she a ghost, or someone who drove all the way from Jersey to climb 811 or 813 feet?
Anyway treacherous. Find a sherpa that won't play around on the peak and mules that don't get spooked. As for the sneakers...were they Jerimoths or Henry's? That may be something we...
Read moreWasn't sure we were going to be able to complete this hike as we didn't have much mountaineering experience leading up to it, but I'm so glad we persevered and made it. And can I just say WOW. Truly the most magnificent and challenging summit I've ever reached. The terrain is ever changing throughout the hike as you trek through plains, cliffs, and scale glaciers. Even as an experienced hiker with a good fitness level, the trail and elevation gain were too much for me at times. Prepare to stop, take breaks when needed and go crush this beast! You won't regret it. Ice axe, crampons, and compass are a must as well as proper fuel and ample water/filter. Own your time on Jerimoth, a rescue is never guaranteed.
All jokes aside, confusing to find but very easy high point to complete. My husband and I have completed a lot of high points but wanted to start our kids off with something our toddler could walk on his own. Probably not worth a trip unless you're...
Read moreThis is the tallest point in RI, clocking in a whopping ~812 feet along 8 feet of elevation. Despite the low elevation it has been known as one of the most difficult high points in the United States due to its history. But in 2011 that changed, and it's now easily accessible to the public and a nice path has been paved (literally and figuratively) allowing anyone to visit the "summit".
The path is very well maintained and clearly marked, an easy walk that will take you no more than 5 minutes and that's if you're going a very slow pace. At the top, remains of the old observatory set up by the university can be found. Three old buildings, a lookout area, as well as a guest book to sign await you at the "top".
If you're considering, it's a must. And take a moment to look up the history of this location to learn how special the ability to easily walk to...
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