Hiking Massachusetts Peaks

Mass Public Peaks rank: #16
Elevation: 2,370 ft.
Prominence: 442 ft.
Isolation: 1.05 miles
Summit coordinates: 42° 4′ 56” N, 73° 25′ 55” W 
Town: Mount Washington, Massachusetts
Conservation Area: Mount Everett State Reservation

Links:
Mount Race on Peakbagger
Mount Race on ListsofJohn
Mount Race on Wikipedia
Mount Everett State Reservation Website (including trail map)
Mount Everett State Reservation on Alltrails

General info: Mount Race, a prominent peak in the southern Taconic Mountains, lies within the Mount Everett State Reservation which consists of nearly 2,500 acres of conservation land purchased by the Commonwealth in the early 1910s. The mountain is known for its striking eastern escarpment, which rises nearly 2,000 feet, offering expansive views of the surrounding landscape. The Appalachian Trail traverses its summit, passing through an open forest characterized by dwarf pitch pine and scrub oak. The rocky summit allows for excellent views. Additionally, Mount Race is home to several waterfalls, including the picturesque Race Brook Falls and Bear Rock Falls.

Historical background: The name “Mount Race” originates from a tragic event tied to a land dispute between settlers from Massachusetts and those from New York—a recurring theme in the Taconic Range’s history. On the New York side of this region was Livingston Manor, a vast 160,000-acre land grant in what is now Columbia County, New York, along the Massachusetts border. Granted to Robert Livingston in 1715 by King George I, this tract effectively established a fiefdom spanning the area between the Hudson River and the Massachusetts border.

In the 1740s and 1750s, Massachusetts settlers began squatting on Livingston Manor lands, with the tacit support of the Massachusetts government. These settlers refused to pay rent to the land’s rightful owners, the Livingston and Van Rensselaer families, escalating tensions. The ensuing conflict was both complex and dramatic. Hostage-taking by both sides led to a series of retaliatory posse raids, culminating in the 1755 murder of William Race, a resident of Sheffield, Massachusetts.

Crown officials eventually stepped in to quell the unrest and resolve the dispute. The mountain, located not far from the site of William Race’s death, was named in his honor, cementing this tumultuous chapter of regional history in its name.

Recommended ascent routes: While Mount Race can be hiked on its own, it would be a shame to skip nearby Mount Everett. As the highest peak in the southern Taconics and the second most prominent in Massachusetts, Mount Everett is well worth the visit. Both mountains are best accessed from the Race Brook Falls Trailhead parking area on Route 41 (South Undermountain Road), which offers ample parking.
Mount Everett and Mount Race via Race Brook Falls Trail–Race Brook Falls is scenic, not huge, but pleasant. This trail gets quite steep in places, I found it fairly challenging. I’d recommend summitting Everett first, then head south to Mount Race. A fun hike, but at 7.5 miles and about 2,500 feet in elevation gain, I found this one challenging (and rewarding!).
Appalachian Trail approach: If you have multiple vehicles and can leave one at each end (and want to leave out Mount Everett), you can through-hike from the Appalachian Trail crossing at South Undermountain Road in Connecticut to the Race Brook Falls trailhead in Massachusetts. This route takes you over Bear Mountain and through Sages Ravine before ascending Mount Race and descending via the Race Brook Trail. Along the way, you’ll find numerous scenic vistas. At 9.2 miles with approximately 2,600 feet of elevation gain, this hike is a rewarding challenge—though it’s better suited for more ambitious hikers than me!

Nearby Listed Peaks: As mentioned above, Mount Everett is a close neighbor and is easily paired with Race on a day hike. Mount Frissell, Alander Mountain, Mount Darby, and Prospect Hill are all part of the Mount Washington massif and are an easy drive away if you wanted to bag one or more in the same trip.

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