110 acres is Ledyard, CT
Parking: Medium sized lot near 153 Vinegar Hill Rd, Gales Ferry, CT
Trail Map Trails: 2.3 miles Rating: ★★☆☆☆
I hiked into this property from the adjacent Atkinson Family Preserve adding it on while hiking the loop there.
Trails here felt a little rough around the edges, but traveled and blazed well enough. The blue blazed trail followed the edge of the property and I made my best to follow it towards the center to find the Great Oak. It was pretty simple to find though I did walk past it at first because all that remains of the once great tree is a mound of rotted wood. The area around it had once been well manicured with lupins, other blooming flowers, and stone benches but since the trees demise have been left to go wild.
Not too far from the old tree is the Lester Cemetary with gravestone dating to the mid-1800s. I made my way back to the east edge of the property and followed the blue trail north. I came upon new housing developments being built on the other side of the stonewall and the trail petered out at the corner. The trail map notes a loop back around but I didn't see any evidence of it.
I retraced my steps back to Atkinson and back to me car.
Peter Marteka - A hike into the past where a great oak once stood in Ledyard (2019)
June 10th, 2024. 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.
153 Vinegar Hill Rd, Gales Ferry, CT 06335, USA
