After a brief layover for a Thai dinner outside of Worchester, Massachusetts, Alanna, and I continued our nighttime drive southward. First paying a quick visit to the great state of Connecticut, although we were just passing through. Soon, departing the Constitution State, we drove along a rather sleepy Hartford Pike (US Rt 101). As most businesses were shutting off their lights for the evening, we were getting our trekking shoes ready for a nighttime ascent of Rhode Island’s state high point: 812’, Jerimoth Hill.

A 0.8-mile drive due east from the Connecticut state line brought us to a slight rise in the landscape. The roadway nearing the height-of-land appeared freshly paved; roadside signage advertised the local destination, and tried to provide some aid in directing parking, and foot traffic along the busy highway corridor - while it seemed either side could accommodate several parked vehicles, we chose to line the northern side of Route 101, as we could park well off the gravel shoulder.

Once safely across the highway, a welcome sign installed by the Highpointer’s Club can be found listing their contact information as well as landowner requests for the trail, as well as hours of operation - as it is located adjacent to private property.

*Corrugated plastic signs mark the route*

A narrow herd path can be found entering the woods, in 1-2 rods, the foot path merges with a wide, old woods road, which is gated roadside. Several houses can be found adjacent to the trail - as we were beginning our trek at 11:48pm, we were extra careful to not shine headlamp beams into any neighbors windows.

The old forest road is further softened by a dense blanket of fallen conifer needles; white pines of varying ages fill the forest canopy with the sweet scent of resin. Early along the trek, we encountered the first short spur path; leading into the woods for roughly 15’, we followed previous footprints to the first US Geodetic Survey benchmark disc; a secondary disc can be found several rods further down the pathway.

*Several survey benchmarks can be found on Jerimoth Hill*

Along the 0.2-mile footpath, large, printed trail markers placed by the Highpointer’s Club guide the way, albeit unmistakably atop the wide, old roadway corridor. A short stroll atop very good footing brings hikers to the recognized high point of Jerimoth Hill, where a rock cairn is set atop a large boulder. An ammunition box roped to a high white pine acts as the summit canister, containing a register log for ascensionists to sign into, jotting interesting notes about their trek for others to enjoy. It is also fun to glance back at previous entries and see what others had to say about their hikes as well.

*Small rock cairn marks the high point of Jerimoth Hill*

Continuing past the high point of Jerimoth Hill, hikers will encounter an inquisitive structure - the summit of Jerimoth Hill also doubles (or, used to?) as an astronomical observatory for Brown University. A decade ago, the college sold the high point to the state, and thankfully, any previous landowner restrictions had been resolved.

The low mountain was named for an early settler, Jerimoth Brown (1783-1830), who was related to several of the “witches of Jerimoth Hill”; sisters or nieces who enjoyed startling townspeople with their spells and incantations.

Luckily, as we roamed in the still, dark night, we had no mysterious happenings; no bumps in the night as we paid a visit to Jerimoth Hill, the state high point of Rhode Island. In a matter of 15-minutes, we were back in the car, ready for snacks and refreshments as we made a moonlit drive over to the state high point of Massachusetts.

Overall stats for the day:
0.34-miles
15 minutes
23’ elevation gain

Jerimoth Hill - 812’

Jerimoth Hill (Rhode Island HP)

Guadalupe Peak (Texas HP)

Mount Massive