Blackledge Falls
80 acres in Glastonbury, CT
Parking: Medium sized lot near 3817 CT-94, Glastonbury, CT
Trail Map Trails: 2 miles Rating: ★★★☆☆
Trails at Blackledge Falls are short but the waterfall makes it a popular draw in the area and there are options for extended hikes.
Hiking
Trails within the park are fairly short but are freshly (and a bit over)blazed in 2023.
They start from either the right or left side of the parking lot. The trail off the left side of the parking area takes you more directly towards the waterfall and rock hops two small streams before a short uphill to the falls. Many spots are rocky, wet, or both. After crossing another stream the trail descends steeply into a bowl shaped hollow where the falls drop 20+ feet in the main section and can split into as many as three distinct drops depending on flow. It is certainly one of the unique waterfalls in the state though can slow to a trickle in summer droughts.
Trails off the right side of the parking area lead down to the Blackledge River and the remains of the dam that was taken out in 2018. The former pond is now regrowing into a regular riparian habitat. There used to be a rock hop crossing here to mountain bikes trails on the other side of the river, but the river has been two deep to use them on my last couple visits. Back on the blazed trail you cross a small footbridge working up a blue blazed loop through rocky forest and around to the waterfall.
The backside of the loop connects to Gay City State Park for extended hike options.
History:
Preserved in 1990 when Thomas and Joan Kemble sold the falls property to the town for $700,000. In 2006, the Kembles sold the town an additional 7.49 acres adjacent to the falls.
The dam at the edge of the park was removed in 2018. There is now a wide clearing down to the river and when it is low enough stepping stones to cross to the trail on the other side. Photos below of the pond in 2017 before and in 2018 after the dam removal:
Links:
Peter Marteka – The Blackledge River Is Flowing Naturally Again For The First Time Since The 19th Century (2018)
CTMQ – Blackledge Falls Preserve (2014)
Peter Marteka – Family Offers Land To Town (2006)
New England Waterfalls – Blackledge Falls
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Last updated January 23rd, 2023
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