Nepaug State Forest

On my first attempt hiking here in Fall 2020, I used the 2008 DEEP state forest map (linked above) which is woefully inadequate all these years later.  I was still able to find my way out to the overlook and back, but I wouldn’t recommend it for those without a good sense of direction.  My Summer 2022 was much more straightforward and some blazing work by the CFPA in early 2022 was a huge improvement.

Tunxis Trail – 3.4 miles

• This trail was rerouted in March 2022 taking a large stretch off the gravel road and onto what was formerly the blue/yellow blazed ‘Tipping Rock Loop’
• Heading north, the Tunxis trail now follows the gravel road for about 0.8 miles before turning onto the trail and ascending gradually and then up and down repeatedly over hills, tiny brooks, and rocky outcrops.  While not terribly technical there are some brief steep climbs/descents and some stretches are frequently rainwashed.
• Just over 2 miles into the hike you’ll reach the fantastic Tipping Rock backpacking campsite.  Though the namesake rock no longer tips (circa the late 1950s).  The campsite is set on a small pine covered hill next to a long stretch of bold rock faces (explore along these for some fun surprises).
• Past the campsite is a long downhill stretch with a short reroute to prevent erosion.  There is an overhanging boulder the had a steady dripping pour here that I used to collect water on my backpacking trip in 2022.  Though it likely dries up for a good portion of the year, so the only water source is all the way down to the Farmington River which is about 0.7 miles away.
• Just before joining the gravel road along the river the trail passes through forest that was managed sometime around 2005
• Next section: 0.75 mile road walk
• Previous section 0.6 mile road walk

Valley Overlook Trail – 1.2 miles (one way)

• My destination in 2020 was the Rome Spare overlook and while I started off on the blue blaze Tunxis Trail I quickly took a left off it onto an old forest road.  Thankfully my experiences with other state forests prepared me for the criss crossing network of old access roads, a handful of hiking trails, and a plethora of mountain bike singletrack.  It was a bit tough but sure enough I ended up on the blue/white Valley Overlook trail after nearly 3 miles.
• The overlook at the end of the trail is almost a surprise as you pop out of the woods onto a narrow rock ledge with views west.  The overlook is named Romeyn A. Spare one of the original builders of the blue blaze Tunxis Trail.

Shelter Four Trail – 1.4 miles

• This blue/green blazed trail was formerly a pretty straightforward hike down along a brook valley that was co-opted by mountain bikes and then re-blazed and extended in March 2022 to connect with the Tunxis Trail. It provides a great extension to the Tipping Rock loop though the mountain bike switchbacks can occasionally just be cut off.