Woodland Warbler Preserve

Parking: Shoulder parking near 349 West Rd Salem, CT

Trail Map Trails: 2.6 miles Rating: ★★☆☆☆

Move over Salem Riverside Preserve, the Salem Land Trust has a new property.

The Woodland Warbler Preserve trailhead starts at a large gate just off West Rd. This area was previously private property and trails here are primarily old roads used by the former owner. I hiked nearly all the trails (except the inner red stretch) for a nice 3 mile hike that took just over an hour.

The red trail starts down a long forested driveway along a tiny unnamed stream. At the bottom the forest opens into a large 13 acre marsh that was filled with croaking frogs, a few ducks, and I’m sure quite a bit else. The trail is wide and easy walking and soon reaches the first trail junction at a well preserved shed. It’s difficult to see on the trail map but a white trail follows the marsh and connects to the red and yellow loops.

Red Loop

The red loop is easily passable with a few gentle hills. At the backside is a large open field that is now in early succession. An old cabin sits on the edge of the field overlooking what used to a shooting range with a rest table and backstop among the high grass.

Yellow Loop

Partially following old roads like the rest of the trails the yellow does ascend into successive forested ridges. As a result the trails are much more rugged and steep than the rest. There are no real overlooks, but interesting features include an old hazardous materials barrel and an odd stone foundation/enclosure.

There are a number of other roads running through the property, but the Salem Land Trust has several posted signs to stay on the blazed trails. I abided and don’t know where the others lead, perhaps they will be developed by the land trust in the future.

History:

Preserved in 2018 and 2019. From the Salem Land Trust site,

The first parcel was donated to SLT in 2018. SLT purchased the additional 3 parcels in 2019, with a bargain sale from this seller. These 3 parcels were sold to SLT for half their appraised value. The funds to purchase these parcels were raised from a Large NAWCA [North American Wetlands Conservation Act] Grant, through a partnership with the State of CT DEEP, with additional grants given from the Bafflin Foundation, the Eightmile River Wild & Scenic Coordinating Committee, and donations from over 100 individuals.

Woodland Warbler Preserve