The Rest

Chapman Pond Preserve

Nature Conservancy and East Haddam Land Trust Property

700 acres in East Haddam, CT

Parking: Medium sized lot near 187 River Rd, East Haddam, CT

Trail Map

If you’re anything like me, you’ve passed Chapman Pond Preserve more than a few times on your way to Gillette Castle and never even known it was there.  Two small yellow signs at the hard turn on River Road are the only indication that it is open to the public.  The driveway in is a bit of a mud pit, but my hatchback handled it without issue.  The parking area was a mud pit too, so I parked off on the dry side.

Hiking

Trails here head directly off the parking area and soon splits.  I took the left fork and made my way down the wide easy to follow path.  Blazes here are a dull blue, but the trail is well established enough that they aren’t really necessary.  Trees along the trail are identified with signboards for about the first third of the loop.  Stream crossings require some rock hopping to cross and I don’t remember the footbridge indicated on the map.

The nice surprise was the three cascade/waterfalls along the loop.  The first two are in the first third of the loop and the second is off on private property around the two mile mark.  None of the falls are particularly impressive but certainly liven up the hike.  The second nice surprise was the camping area along Chapman Pond.  There are two platforms and the nicest camp toilet I’ve ever seen.  Everything seems newly built (as of 2019) I just did a trip down the CT river and this didn’t turn up when I was researching areas to camp.

The trail follows the pond for a stretch and steep ridges climb away from the water.  The second half of the trail is a bit of a blur.  I realized I had to run to not be out past sunset so I ran most of the second half.  Memorable bits were a stretch of significant knockdown old enough that a young forest had sprung up to replace it and other stretches of mountain laurel.  After a few more stream rock hops and sections where the trail crosses old cart paths the trail reconnects to the parking area.

Boating

Chapman Pond is connected to the Connecticut River just off Rich Island and is accessible by water only.  The East Haddam Land Trust’s properties are all parcels on the peninsulas enclosing the pond.  It is significant area for bird watching according to the Kayaking with Lou link below.  It is a part of the Connecticut River Paddler’s Trail with a primitive campsite that can accommodate up to 14 campers.

History:

Links:

Nature Conservancy – Chapman Pond Preserve

New England Waterfalls – Cascades at Chapman Pond Preserve

Kayaking with Lou – Chapman Pond, Rich Island and Lord Island

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated December 29, 2019

Poquetanuck Cove Preserve

The Nature Conservancy Property

234 acres in Ledyard, CT

Parking: Small lot near 191 Avery Hill Rd, Ledyard, CT

Trail Map

I stopped at Poquetanuck Cove Preserve after picking apples at Holmberg Orchards, the two properties are adjacent but don’t connect.  The small parking lot is tucked into the woods and is easy to pass (like most Nature Conservancy parking).

Hiking:

The trail winds between private property that couldn’t quite be seen during my stop at the start of Fall, but given that someone was throwing a party you could definitely hear them.  The trail is narrow and winds over mixed terrain.  At the fork, I headed right knowing that would get me to the cove quicker.  The trail heads downhill towards the water right along Avery Hill Brook.  I was greeted with a calm view of the brook entering the cove and I spied a heron standing on a log out in the water.  A prime fishing spot, for herons and egrets at least.  The trail here is cut into the bank between the water and a small hill and after a bit gives access to a rocky beach at the waters edge though likely only at low tide.

The cove is a large sheltered bay of the Thames River between Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods.  The view from the preserve’s trail feels like a teaser.  As the trail loops back around the hill you come within sight of the water several times, but only through the trees. The rest of the hike winds through the woods back to the fork and while I enjoyed the hike I feel like greater access to the water would round out this great short hike.

Boating:

There is not boating access from the Poquetanuck Cover Preserve, but there is a boat launch near 11 Royal Oaks Dr Ledyard, CT and another car top launch with a 100ft carry in near 2-18 Drawbridge W Gales Ferry, CT that can be used to explore the cove.

History:

From the Nature Conservancy site,

In 1953, Desire Parker purchased this piece of land—with its narrow cliff along the watercourse—in the hopes that native people had camped and gathered oysters at the spot. Subsequent archaeological research confirmed her hunch. In 1988, she followed through on her lifelong plan to permanently protect her land along Poquetanuck Cove by donating it to The Nature Conservancy.

Links:

Peter Marteka – Poquetanuck Cove: Spooky And Beautiful (2011)

Auntie Beak – Poquetanuck Cove Preserve

The Day – Poquetanuck Cove Canoe/Kayak Trail

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated Sept. 27, 2019

Burnham Brook Preserve

The Nature Conservancy Property

1,122 acres in East Haddam, CT

Parking: Shoulder parking before 2 Dolbia Hill Road, East Haddam, CT

No Official Trail Map

At 2.2 miles the Burnham Brook Preserve loop sounds short.  Thankfully interesting terrain and a couple surprises combine to feel a bit more memorable.  Reviews on AllTrails seem to unanimously agree that the hike is great except that it can be too overgrown to navigate easily.  Hiking this loop you will almost definitely push through knee high blueberry, waist ferns, and even young saplings.  In addition, at the back of the loop (the funny tail at the southwest/bottom-left) the trail obviously heads downhill until you realize there aren’t any blazes.  Instead, from the last visible blaze look up the slope to the left and you’ll see another through some trees.  Now that you are forearmed here’s the rest of the description:

From the trailhead the descends along the stonewall border of the nearby fields.  The trail is easy to follow even if a bit narrow and the blue blazes have been recently updated with plastic arrow markers.  At about a half mile you reach Burnham Brook, a true babbling brook with mossy rocks and shadowed pines. Past this point the trail is overgrown as soon as you start heading uphill away from the brook.  You pass a plaque for founder John Ide who gifted the original 46 acres that started this preserve.

One of my favorite parts of this hike was a forested glen so filled with picturesque ferns that I half expected to come across a cozy cottage with smoke coming from its chimney.  Alas, no such scene awaited me and I continued on to the overlook at the back of the loop.  A short rocky scramble takes you to a ridge with a decent view of the forest below you.  Navigating the rocks on the ridge takes you down to the tricky area I described in the first paragraph.  As long as you take the blazed path up the slope you will reach another ridgeline before coming down the other side.  The last surprise of the trail is an enormous glacial erratic with a plaque for the poem Soil by Richard Goodwin.

History:

Established in 1960 with a gift of 46 acres in 1960 the property has grown to 1,122 since then thanks to Richard and Esther Goodwin.

Links:

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated Sept. 23, 2019

Selden Creek Preserve

The Nature Conservancy and Lyme Land Trust Property

394 acres in Lyme, CT

Parking: Shoulder parking near 116 Mitchell Hill Road, Lyme, CT or small lot north of 345 Joshuatown Rd
Lyme, CT

Trail Map

On a bright late-spring day, I headed down the Ravine Trail starting off Mitchell Hill Rd.  The trail is a narrow gulley shaded by pines between private properties.  The trail turns at a marshy beaver pond and starts uphill.  This short climb is bordered by a faint stream coming down the rocks.  At the top of the hill you enter the ravine.  Rock walls on either side direct your course through a fairly wide fern covered climb.  While the trail maps lists this as challenging terrain it certainly leans more moderate.  The ravine gradually narrows and I grabbed the orange connector to the Blue/White trail.  The trail map also lists a blue trail to an overlook which I must have missed.  It was a quick walk either way to Joshuatown Rd.

Crossing the road leads to the Nature Conservancy section of the property.  A small parking area in front of a small field notes the start of the trail.  A kiosk and sign are set off into the woods.  Walking in on the Selden White trail seems to be well traveled and I noticed the large of amount of fallen trees.  The area must have gotten hit by rough weather a few years ago.  The trail comes close to the summit of Observatory Hill but the trail winds between hills.  I knew I was heading to a pair of overlooks and expected a short climb, instead you descend toward the river valley.  First stop was the Selden Blue overlook a narrow trail the heads quite a ways downhill to a short stone cliff with peaceful albeit lackluster views.

Second stop was the white trail’s overlook which is dedicated to Carolie Evans for her work conserving Connecticut’s land.  This overlook is much nicer with a rocky outcrop and wider views of Selden Creek, the marsh, and Selden Neck State Park.  Pines shade the area and a bench provides good seating although I chose the rocks closer to the edge.

From here I made my way back along the Selden Blue trail, crossed back over Joshuatown Rd, and took the orange connector to the purple trail.  The crossing over Whalebone Creek was dry though I’d guess this section of the purple trail is much wetter in early spring.  The trail meandered nicely back to the car for a total hike of 4.5 miles.

History:

Links:

The Nature Conservancy  – Selden Creek Preserve

Peter Marteka – Take A Hike Along Ravine Trail, Visit Selden Creek Preserve

Kristen Stodolski – The Ravine Trail a Popular Hike

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated May 26, 2019

Mamacoke Island

Connecticut College Arboretum Property

40.5 acres in Waterford, CT

Parking: Small pull off near 44 Benham Ave Quaker Hill, CT

Trail Map 

There is a map of trails near Connecticut College

This bedrock knob is a “tidal island” that is connected to the mainland by an unditched tidal marsh.  Only during periods of high flooding does it become a true island.  This area is used mainly for its educational opportunities by Connecticut College and the trails here appear to be rough and sparsely maintained.  While open to the public, the Connecticut College Arboretum has specific rules regarding the use of its natural land. These guidelines include:

• NO jogging, organized sports, biking, camping, hunting, creating fires or driving vehicles within the Arboretum, as these activities are damaging to the ecology of the landscape.
• Dogs must be leashed at all times. Owners are responsible for removal and disposal of their dogs’ wastes. Bags are provided at the entrance to the Native Plant Collection on Williams Street.
• Don’t disturb or remove plant labels, they are used to educate the public and are essential for tracking specific trees throughout their lives.
• Don’t remove plant material without permission from the Arboretum office.
• Alcoholic beverages may not be brought into the Arboretum.

History:

Links:

Mamacoke Island Geology Tour

CT Audobon – Mamacoke Island

Peter Marteka – Mamacoke Island In Waterford: Paradise On The Thames

Auntie Beak’s Place – Mamacoke Island

Rock Climb Mamacoke Island – do everything you can to keep Connecticut College’s indifferent opinion on climbers, picking up what you bring in and not disturbing local ecology will help this area remain open for all to enjoy

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated Jan. 20, 2019

Tri State Marker West

at the Border of New York, Massachusetts, and Connecticut

in Salisbury, CT

Parking: Three small pull-offs at the CT/MA border Mt Washington Rd, Salisbury, CT

Trail Map

The above hike was tracked in reverse starting at the tri-state border marker heading back towards the trailhead on Mt Washington Rd.

Please excuse the marker, the map refuses to display the proper coordinates!

From the trailhead, the trail follows the CT/MA border up Round Mountain to within sight of the summit of Mt Frissel.  Then a quick descent around the slope for a total of 1.25 miles to the CT highpoint. The high has a couple steep scrambles but is easy enough and straightforward to follow the red blazes.  The red-blazed trail is a 5.4 mile loop, but most people seem to skip the rest of it (I did since I tacked this hike on at the end of my six-day road trip to the highest summit in each New England state).

The trail can be accessed from nearby Bear Mountain.  Taking the Undermountain Trail to the Appalachian Trail and then taking the left fork at the sign marked “Trail” there should be another sign stating “Bear Mtn Rd” which is confusing but the correct direction.  This trail splits again in another .6 miles, but both lead to Mt Washington Rd.  The trail is opposite the CT/MA border granite pillar.

From the CT Highpoint it is about a quarter mile down to the tri-state marker for a total of 1.56 miles.  The area is heavily forested and there is a small rocky clearing around the stone pillar.  Both NY and MASS are marked, but CONN is not likely due to some ongoing border dispute.  The pillar is 3’9″ tall.

History:

Steve at CTMQ has a great write up of the border dispute in the link below.

Links:

Highpointers – #35 CT-MA-NY

Steve at CTMQ – CT-NY-MA Tri-Point

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated Jan. 10, 2019

Tri State Marker East

at the Border of Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut

in Thompson, CT

Parking: Small lot near 649 E Thompson Rd Thompson, CT

Trail Map

This eastern tri state marker (the other is west on the border with NY) is a short jaunt up the Airline Trail as it leaves the state into Massachusett’s Douglas State Forest.  From the parking lot, the trail is the standard wide sandy path now similar to nearly the entire length of the Airline.  You’ll soon pass under a decaying wooden bridge which leads to nearby Hermit Cave.  I’ll be back soon to write more about these though you can find plenty of information elsewhere.

Past the bridge you’ll cross Rocky Brook though the trail is so high here you likely won’t notice.  A trail will head off to the right and this can be taken to reach the marker albeit with a steeper uphill climb.  Instead continue down the trail to the with Mass. and there will be a sign indicating the access trail to the tri-point.  Just in the woods is a border marker for CT/MA.  The narrow trail is hilly and rocky which is welcome (for me at least) after the flat Airline.  A small gravel clearing holds the pillar for the three states RI, MA, and CT are marked on their respective sides.  However, there is a border dispute that continues to the present day.

History:

Links:

Peter Marteka – A Journey To A Place Where Three States Meet

Steve at CTMQ – CT-MA-RI Tri Point

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated Jan. 9, 2019

Ragged Mountain Preserve

620 acres in Berlin, CT

Parking: Shoulder parking near 437 West Ln, Berlin, CT

Trail Map

How does one cover a place as popular as Ragged Mountain?

First, we cover the highlights:  Rugged (and ragged) trails over rock formations, ridgeline overlooks, rich rock climbing history, and two miles of the New England Trail.

Ragged Mountain is one of the places I see recommended over and over as a great hiking spot in Connecticut.  I’ve been twice.  Once in early winter chill and once in late winter snow.  The first time I attempted to do the full blue/red loop but was quickly thwarted by a river bulging with snowmelt and no way to cross.  So instead I’ve hiked the blue/orange trail up to the Metacomet Trail and then south to the overlooks.  The trail descends through gaps in rock outcrops, passes “vernal” pools, and then roughly follows the ridgeline near Wassel Reservoir.

I am to update this section with a more complete write up of the geologic makeup of the Metacomet Ridge, but for now, the overlooks are a visual appeal with views over Southington and the Hanging Hills of Meridan.

The return trip has some of the most dramatic sections of trail with narrow ledge bypasses and steep descents.  Where the Metacomet splits off with the blue/red trail there is a popular climbing spot and memorial for Darin Jensen a climber who died on the nearby face.  Rock climbing here is maintained by the Ragged Mountain Foundation who’s dedicated work keeps the area open for climbers and hikers alike.  In this section, you’ll often see climbers carrying their crash pads over to one of the popular rock faces.

History:

Ragged Mountain has been a hiking location since at least the early 1900s.  A plaque dedicates the Preserve to the late Maurice Stanley, who “enjoyed the quiet of these hills.”

Links:

Ragged Mountain Foundation – Conservation Crew

Harry White – The Traprock Wilderness Recovery Strategy

Peter Marteka – Ragged Mountain Way

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated Jan. 6, 2019

Buckingham Reservoir

Manchester Water Department Passive Recreation

in Glastonbury, CT

Parking: Small lot near 1 Coop Rd, Glastonbury, CT

Trail Map

Buckingham Reservoir is not to be confused with nearby Buckingham Park though the two are not at all similar.

The reservoir is a dizzying network of trails.  The main loop, which starts at the end of Coop Rd, is fairly easy to follow as it is the widest trail option and does a five-mile loop.  The main viewpoint of the reservoir is the dam along the southwestern side.  The reservoir is on the small side at about 30 acres and is surrounded by pine forest.  The main loop is only within view of the reservoir at this section along the dam the rest traverses varied environments around it.  The remains of bridges cross Roaring Brook and another unnamed stream which requires careful balance on the iron cross beams.  The rest is fairly easy (though sometimes wet) hiking.

There are many mountain bike singletrack trails (I’m not sure they’re specifically permitted) that spiderweb across the property.  Most are unmarked but easy enough to follow.  Hikers do complain that the lack of marks makes route finding difficult and on my own recent trail run, at the far end of the loop I was unsure which trail was the best route back towards the parking area.  But, several ‘best guesses’ later brought me back.

Many trails head north through the Edmund Gorman Open Space to Case Mountain.  This means that hikes of 10+ miles are easy to create here as well as shorter explorations to the water and back.

History:

It has been a water department property since at least the early 1950s, but I’m not sure when it was opened to recreation.  Coop Rd which ran through the property was open through the early 1980s, but has long since been abandoned.

Links:

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated Jan. 2, 2019

Westfield Falls

Middletown Property

3.3 acres in Middletown, CT

Parking: Shoulder parking near 344 Miner St Middletown, CT

Trail Map

Nature and civilization clash at Westfield Falls.  What should be a secluded gem is bordered by I-91, a manufacturing plant, and a golf course.  The trap rock surroundings are riddled with graffiti and the paths are littered with trash.

Thankfully all it takes is a bit of narrowed focus to appreciate this waterfall.  Split into two (or sometimes 3) sections Fall Brook descends at strange angles to a horsetail on the left and a plunge on the right.  The two rejoin downstream which creates a great area to wander and explore.  The established paths are to the top and bottom of the falls, which seems to be enough for most.

There isn’t a lot of hope for what should be a charming gorge.  It is drowned out by traffic and hemmed in on all sides.  Despite this, it’s still highly recommended by everyone who visits, but I think all would agree we haven’t done it justice.

History:

Turn of the century view of Westfield Falls and Gorge from the Connecticut Quarterly Vol. I 1895 pg. 318

Links:

Waterfalls of New England – Westfield Falls

Steve at CTMQ – Westfield Falls

The information shown here is for general reference purposes only. exploreCT.org gives no warranty, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or reliability of this data. Parking in all areas, whether designated here or not, is at your own risk. exploreCT.org is not responsible for any damage or loss to vehicles or contents.

Last updated Dec. 4, 2018