mount equinox

Howland_Owl

Interesting drive up the mountain. Mine was more interesting than most as I had left the bottom shortly before a large motorcycle group left and apparently thought they were at the Pike's Peak Hill Climb, racing up the mountain and passing me on the hairpin curves.

normanw590

If you have never been or drove by and didn't go up turn around! There is no other place like it in New England. It is so peaceful and quiet. If you want to get away from the world for a while this is the place to go. Just beautiful. Be sure your car is in good condition though. Good brakes too. Take your time going up and coming down there are rest stops along the road. Stop and enjoy.

EW367

The trail system is well marked and well maintained. Although realatively short in distance, it climbs almost 3,000 vertical feet to the summit from the parking area where a kiosk provides trail maps. Be prepared for a relentlously steep hike. The trail narrows and steepens after the junction to the Upper Spring where there is a bench to accomdate the baby boomer generation. Once on top, a side trip to Lookout Rock is recommended although the view is similar to that of the summit. When we hiked to the top on October 30th, the auto road was still open, but the Saint Bruno Viewing Center was closed for the season. I'm not sure that the Skyline Drive route was worth the tarrif on this cloudy fall day, but the hike was.

R7115JLjohnh

Wonderful views from the top of the mountain. A couple of nice stopping areas on the way down [or up]. Just thought the toll was a bit too high.

joyceb713

Cloudy on top but still very interesting to go in the viewing center. Saw beautiful colors further down. Got a good glimpse of the monastery and the lake.

ALC132

Having driven Mt. Evans and Pike's Peak in Colorado, we were thrilled to find this gem of a mountain road. Great vistas of the brilliant fall colors, nice viewing center at the top and the only Carthusian Monastery in the US. Be sure to check your brakes before going up.

647patriciaj

The hairpin turns up the mountain were "exciting" to say the least, along with the feeling of being on a climbing roller coaster where you think you'll drop off the "edge" in front of you, but the required slow speed limit makes it all very safe. At the top, there are maps on each side of the mountain, with a photograph of each view where every vista is named. There's a beautiful air-conditioned "lodge" at the top with picnic tables inside, as well as those outside. Pictures detailing the construction of the road & history of the Monastery are very interesting. The attendant was very friendly & informative. A trip not to be missed.

jessicao31

It was alittle foggy because we went early but the view is amazing. The walk out to the point was alittle disapointing because of the trees blocking the view. Wish they would build a riser or something so you could see above them since they can not take them down

MollyL137

Not cheap it is $15 for car and driver plus $5 per person but it is a beautiful drive and the views from the top are amazing. There are several picnic areas along the route and at the top. We were lucky enough to be there on a clear sunny day and could see New York, New Hampshire, and even Canada.

karikonrad

We were the very first guests there at 9 AM - weather was cloudy and visibility on the top of the mountain was zero. However, we enjoyed the experience of getting there. On the way down we had to stop twice as breaks on our Acura got pretty hot. I would recommend this place - just pick a nice day to visit.

guineverec

Also, you have to pay about $20 to go up the mountain, which seems a little steep. Almost as steep as the drive, which had me a little queasy at times, and we had to stop a few times on the way down to give our brake pads a rest, as they were steaming! But the view from the top really is spectacular on a nice day!

DouglasF188

The view from the top of Mount Equinox is very nice, with northern and southern viewing spots at the visitors center atop the mountain that allow you to see hundreds of square miles. The center also has some information about the monastery that owns the property and the people who donated it to the religious order. The roads are hairpin curves, so keep your foot on the brake all the way down, but don't put your car in low gear as the sign tells you to, because you'll be going too fast for the gear (3rd gear is OK). The charge for admission is a bit steep, since they charge $5 for each extra passenger along with $15 for the driver.

556walterb

The brochure said you drive to the top, they are correct. There is a fee to access the road as this is privately owned property. The observatory at the top has great views and some interesting information inside. The short hike to Lookout Rock is worth it. We saw a snowshoe hare (or a fuzzy jackrabbit) along the trail.

JandJ71

The cost to drive up is 20 dollars for a car and two people. You are warned that it is a difficult drive up with steep ascents and hairpin bends. This is true, but for anyone used to driving in European mountains then there is no problem.The views from the top as others have said are very good, and there is some hikes you can do of varying sizes from the top. For those of a more energetic nature you can hike a trail from the bottom at road level to the top. We met a few people who had done so and they all enjoyed it.There is an interesting exhibition of the history of the area, and also details of the monastic life led by the monks who live here.If in the area and it is a clear day then visit. If it is cloudy then leave it for another day.

MsGMaine

This road was worth the travel up. There is a beautiful place at the top to learn more about the history of the mountain and its owners and the monestary. There are 360 views once on top. I'd go up again and probably will.