You’re standing on a slab of granite deep in the woods of Foster, Rhode Island. It’s quiet. There are some ferns, a few tall pines, and a mailbox stuffed with a notebook where people scrawl their names. You didn’t sweat to get here. Honestly, you probably didn't even breathe hard. The "climb" from the road is about ten vertical feet, which is less than the height of a standard basketball hoop.
Yet, for decades, this tiny bump in the woods called Jerimoth Hill Rhode Island was the most feared destination in the American highpointing community.
People didn't fear the terrain. They feared the man who lived next to it.
The Legend of the "Mountaineer" with a Shotgun
If you’re a highpointer—one of those obsessive hikers trying to stand on the highest point of all 50 states—Jerimoth Hill used to be your white whale. It wasn't because of altitude sickness or sheer cliffs. It was Henry Richardson.
Back in the 80s and 90s, the trail to the 812-foot summit crossed a tiny sliver of Richardson’s property. He didn't want you there. He really didn't want you there. Stories from that era sound like something out of a backwoods thriller. Hikers reported being chased off by a man with a shotgun. Some claim he installed motion sensors that would trigger a loud alarm the second a hiker stepped onto the "path."
It created a bizarre paradox in the hiking world. You could summit Denali in Alaska, survive the freezing winds of Mount Washington, and navigate the technical ridges of the Rockies, but you couldn't "finish" your 50-state list because a guy in Rhode Island wouldn't let you walk 200 yards past his driveway.
For a long time, the Highpointers Club actually had a rule that just standing by the road sign on Route 101 counted as a "visit" because the actual summit was too dangerous to attempt. Think about that. Rhode Island’s highest point was essentially a "no-fly zone."
What Jerimoth Hill Is Actually Like Today
Fast forward to 2026, and the vibe is completely different. The state finally bought the land, and the "hostilities" ended long ago. Now, it’s basically the most relaxing "mountain" experience you’ll ever have.
The trailhead is located on Route 101 (Hartford Pike), right near the Connecticut border. You look for a brown sign and a small gravel pull-off. There’s no massive parking lot, no visitor center, and usually no crowds. You cross the road, step into the woods, and you’re there in about five minutes.
Vital Stats for Your Visit:
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- Elevation: 812 feet.
- Distance: roughly 0.3 miles out-and-back.
- Difficulty: 1 out of 10. You can do this in flip-flops (though sneakers are better because of the roots).
- The "Summit": A rocky outcrop with a USGS survey marker and a summit register.
It’s a strange feeling. You’re at the highest natural point in the state, but you’re surrounded by trees. There’s no grand vista. You can’t see the Atlantic Ocean or the Providence skyline. You’re just... in the woods. But there's a certain charm to that. It’s the ultimate "low-stakes" adventure.
The Weird History You Won't Find on the Sign
Jerimoth Hill isn't just a geographic marker; it’s a place steeped in local folklore. Long before the highpointers arrived, the hill was known as Mount Hygeia, named by Dr. Solomon Drowne in the early 1800s. He was a botanist and a friend of Benjamin Franklin, and he thought the air up there was "purer" for health.
But there’s a darker side to the local history. Some old-timers in Foster still talk about the "Witches of Jerimoth Hill." Local legend mentions the Brown family—specifically Jerimoth Brown, whom the hill is named after—and stories of his sisters or nieces who were rumored to practice herbal magic and "spells" in the bogs nearby. It adds a layer of New England gothic to an otherwise plain forest walk.
Brown University and the Stars
One reason the hill stayed so pristine (and private) for so long is Brown University. Since the 1950s, the university has used the site for astronomical observation. Because it's tucked away in the northwest corner of the state, far from the light pollution of Providence, it’s one of the darkest spots in Rhode Island.
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Even though the state owns the path now, the university still maintains rights for its telescopes. If you visit on a clear night (though the trail officially closes at dusk), the sky is spectacular. It's one of the few places in this tiny, densely populated state where you can truly feel the scale of the universe.
The "Other" High Point Controversy
Here’s a fun fact to annoy your friends with: Jerimoth Hill is the highest natural point. But if you want to get technical about the highest elevation in the state, you might have to head to the Central Landfill in Johnston.
For a while, the literal highest pile of "stuff" in Rhode Island was actually a mountain of trash. It was reportedly higher than Jerimoth Hill until they capped it. Highpointers generally ignore man-made mounds, so Jerimoth retains its crown, but it’s a classic piece of Rhode Island trivia that highlights just how flat the state really is.
Planning Your Trip to Jerimoth Hill Rhode Island
If you're going to make the trek, don't just drive there, walk for five minutes, and leave. Foster is a beautiful, rural town that feels like it’s stuck in the 19th century.
Pro-Tips for the Visit:
- Safety First: Route 101 is a busy road with cars moving fast. Be extremely careful crossing from the parking area to the trailhead.
- Sign the Book: The summit register is half the fun. Reading the entries from people who traveled from California or Europe just to stand on a rock in Rhode Island is a trip.
- Check the Season: In the fall, the colors are incredible. In the winter, the trail is often icy but very peaceful.
- Orange Gear: If you go during hunting season (usually late fall/early winter), wear blaze orange. The hill is in a rural area where hunting is common nearby.
Honestly, Jerimoth Hill is a metaphor for Rhode Island itself. It’s small, it’s got a weirdly combative history, and it’s surprisingly charming if you take the time to look closer. You aren't going there for the "climb." You're going for the story.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Locate the Trailhead: Plug "Jerimoth Hill Trailhead" into your GPS; it's about 0.8 miles east of the Connecticut line on RI-101.
- Pack Light: You don't need a backpack or hiking boots. A bottle of water and a pen for the register are plenty.
- Visit Nearby: After your "summit," stop by a local diner in Foster or Chepachet to reward yourself for the grueling 10-foot ascent.