Harvey Preserve
64 acres in Chaplin, CT
Parking: Small lot near 68 Federal Rd, Chaplin, CT
Trail Map Trails: 1.4 miles Rating: ★★☆☆☆
This entry will serve more as a preview for the time being as the Harvey Preserve has not officially opened. The Harvey Preserve is Joshua’s Trust’s newest trailed property, taking the title from the Tower Hill Preserve (also in Chaplin) after just seven months. A loop trail has been completed and blazed, but signage, trailhead, and hikers are still to come.
Hiking
From the well-sized gravel lot the trail quickly forks into a loop. I took the left fork heading south to briefly parallel the Federal Road through open forest.
The trail passes through some short stone ledges before deftly climbing over a rock and through a stonewall. Trail selection was fantastic through this stretch. As you near the backside of the loop the trail descends just a bit leaving the open forest for younger and more dense trees.
You’ll return along the edge of the preserve with a view of recent forest management on adjacent property. This northern end (if you had taken a right at the fork) is the wetter half of the property with a couple marshy spots one featuring a lone moss covered erratic. Just before returning to the parking area is a fenced off old well.
History:
Preserved by Joshua’s Trust when it was donated by the family of Sam Harvey on December 29th, 2021.
Links:
- Joshua’s Trust. A Friend and Conservationist Remembered. Fall 2023 Newsletter. pg. 1.
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Last updated December 4th, 2023
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