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    Fifty Foot Cliff Preserve

    • Trails
      4 miles
    • Rating
      ★★★☆☆
    • Address
      QQRP+3R Mansfield, CT, USA
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    At A Glance

    Mansfield Town Park

    102 acres in Mansfield, CT

    Parking: Small lot behind the Mansfield Historical Society at 954 Storrs Rd, Storrs, CT or from a pull off south of 329 Chaffeeville Rd, Storrs, CT

    Trail Map             Trails: 1.4 miles          Rating: ★★★☆☆

    Hiking

    Fifty Foot Preserve is trailed almost entirely by the blue-blaze Nipmuck Trail passing through the property for a total of 1.41 miles. The preserve is the home to the junction between the east and west branches of the Nipmuck at the gas pipeline corridor north of the overlook.  Most hikers approach the overlook from behind the Mansfield Historical Society for a short gradual downhill hike on an old logging road.  Those looking for more of a challenge can hike up to the overlook from Chaffeeville Road which provides a steep and rugged climb.

    The destination here is Fifty Foot Cliff, which provides one of the best views in the area.  The overlook is southeast over the Fenton River Valley, Mansfield Hollow, and beyond.  The cliff is also the site of the Ishmael Rosas memorial, a marble bench erected in his memory. Unfortunately, sometime in May 2022 the bench was knocked over and was sitting un-repaired as of June 2022.

    Rock Climbing

    Below the overlook is a long 100′ stretch of rock with several established routes that are a strong mix of trad and top rope climbing though I’ve seen several people bouldering as well.  To reach the face a side trail near the overlook drops down and around.  There is also a faint trail off the Nipmuck as it climbs up to the overlook not too long after the crosses the unnamed stream.

    Standard Route
        8
    5.8+ Trad
    Crime Against Nature
       6
    5.9 PG13 Trad
    Malevlent Eye
        6
    5.10 PG13 Trad, TR
    Chocolate Party
        3
    5.10+ Trad, TR
    History

    The property was purchased in 1998 by the Town of Mansfield from local real estate agent Peter Rich.  The name Fifty Foot predates its purchase and was chosen more for poetic alliteration than for topographic accuracy, as the cliff is actually at least 100 feet high.

    Links

    Peter Marteka – Echoes Of The Past In Mansfield (2011)

    Hartford Courant – Buying Fifty Foot Topic For Hearing (1998)

    Mountain Project – 50 Footer

    Robert Perzel – A Climbing Guide To The Monks

    Tags
    • 2020
    • 2022
    • 2024
    • Explored
    • Mansfield
    • Nipmuck Trail
    • Overlooks
    • Peter Marteka
    • Tolland County
    Last Updated

    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 June 6th, 2022

    Trail Map
    Location
    • QQRP+3R Mansfield, CT, USA

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    Categories
    • Hiking
    • Rock Climbing
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    Overall Rating

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