Scantic River State Park: Powder Hollow Area (Blog Hike #962)

Trail: (unnamed)
Hike Location: Scantic River State Park, Powder Hollow Area
Geographic Location: east of Enfield, CT (41.98167, -72.53981)
Length: 1.4 miles
Difficulty: 1/10 (Easy)
Date Hiked: September 2023
Overview: An out-and-back along the scenic Scantic River with interesting human history.
Park Information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Locate-Park-Forest/Other-State-Parks-and-Forests#ScanticRiver
Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=946937
Photo Highlight:

Hike Video:

Directions to the trailhead: In northern Connecticut, take I-91 to SR 190 (exit 47E).  Exit and go east on SR 190.  Drive SR 190 east 2.5 miles to SR 192/Maple Street and turn right on Maple St.  Drive Maple St. south 0.3 miles to an all-way stop just after crossing the Scantic River.  Turn left to park in the park's small riverside parking lot.

The hike: Draining much of north-central Connecticut and south-central Massachusetts, the Scantic River flows for 40.6 miles on a northeast to southwest course.  The river forms near the town of Hampden, Massachusetts at the confluence of several streams, and it empties its waters into the Connecticut River near South Windsor, Connecticut.  The river alternates between slow pools and rushing rapids throughout its course, and several old industrial sites exist along its banks.

            Established in 1967, Connecticut's Scantic River State Park consists of several disconnected land parcels along its namesake river.  Currently the park protects 784 acres, but future plans call for additional land acquisitions to bring the total to over 2200 acres.  The park has no lodging facilities, but several of the park's areas offer extensive systems of hiking trails for day-users.  While many hiking options are available, I came here near the beginning of a long drive, so I needed to keep my hike short but scenic.  The 1.4 mile out-and-back along the Scantic River described here fits that bill, and I ended up having an excellent hike on that Saturday morning.

Trailhead at Powder Hollow parking area

            Start by walking around the yellow vehicle gate at the rear of the parking lot and heading east past the information kiosk.  A rough trail leads directly down to the Scantic River rapids on the left, but continuing east a short distance reveals a more gradual way down to the rapids.  Despite the fact that these rapids are only about 6 feet high, the river supplies plenty of water to make them a very scenic site.  A low wall of concrete blocks suggests that some structure used to exist here, but I could not find any historical information about this structure.  These rapids are the largest cascades in this river, so take some time to enjoy the whitewater.

Concrete blocks at rapids

Scantic River rapids

            The wide dirt trail continues upstream with the river close on the left.  Some large pine trees grow in this part of the forest, and lots of honeysuckle pervades the understory.  Some smaller rapids appear in the river, and they are interesting if not as dramatic as the ones you passed near the trailhead.

Hiking along the Scantic River

            At 0.4 miles, you pass a small oxbow lake on the left as you round one of the river's broad curves.  Just past 0.5 miles, a 3-foot ledge waterfall appears in the river just before you pass large stacks of stones.  These stones appear to be abutments from an old river bridge.  Next you pass an old mill raceway on the right.  These old structures add interesting human history to the river's natural scenery.

Small river waterfall

Old raceway

            0.7 miles into the hike, you reach the upper end of the old mill raceway.  If you wanted to form a loop, the trail going right here leads uphill to the blufftop before returning back down to the trailhead.  Another trail leads further upstream along the river, but it was very muddy on my visit.  Thus, I chose to turn around here and retrace my steps downstream along the river to return to the trailhead and finish my hike.  This option allowed me to see each of the river cascades and historic sites one more time but coming from the opposite direction.

Chatfield Hollow State Park: Red/Orange Loop (Blog Hike #773)

Trails: Red, Purple, Blue, Orange, and Boardwalk Trails

Hike Location: Chatfield Hollow State Park

Geographic Location: west of Killingworth, CT (41.36946, -72.58882)

Length: 4 miles

Difficulty: 9/10 (Difficult)

Date Hiked: August 2019

Overview: A loop hike, mostly moderate but with occasional rock scrambling, exploring Chatfield Hollow.

Park Information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Chatfield-Hollow-State-Park

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=760709

Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From the SR 80/SR 81 rotary in Killingworth, drive SR 80 west 1.2 miles to the park entrance on the right.  Turn right to enter the park, and follow the main park road 0.3 miles to the swimming area parking, where this hike begins.  Note that this park charges a $15 entrance fee for non-Connecticut residents on weekends but no entrance fee on weekdays; time your visit accordingly.

The hike: Tucked in one of the many steep-sided gorges that run north-south across south-central Connecticut, Chatfield Hollow State Park protects 412 acres in and along its namesake hollow.  Development of the park began in 1934 when the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) dammed Chatfield Hollow Brook to create 7 acre Schreeder Pond and planted some pine trees around the pond.  The land was designated as a state park in 1949, and Schreeder Pond still serves as the park’s swimming and fishing areas today.  Indeed, Chatfield Hollow State Park has been designated a trout park due to the high quality of its fishing opportunities.

            The park, hollow, and brook get their names from the descendants of three Chatfield brothers who built a gristmill on this brook during Colonial times.  Before the Chatfields arrived, earlier people left behind artifacts in some shallow rocky caves located near the park entrance.  This hike does not take you to these caves, but they can be accessed via the 0.25 mile Chimney Trail that could be added on to this hike.

            The park retains a rustic character, as it offers only the aforementioned swimming area, some picnic tables, and a small nature center for amenities.  For hikers, the park offers 9 trails totaling over 6 miles.  Many routes through the park’s trail system are possible, but the route described here forms a grand tour of the park that explores both the tranquil, flat streamside areas and the rocky, steep hollow rim areas.

Red Trail exiting swimming area

            From the swimming area, pick up the Red Trail as it heads east and immediately begins climbing a long series of wooden steps.  Trails at Chatfield Hollow are marked with color-coded rectangular paint blazes, and some of these trails see sufficiently little traffic that the blazes come in handy to help you find your way.  The hollow’s rim is only about 200 vertical feet above the brook, but all trails in and out of the hollow are quite steep, as you quickly learn on this initial climb.

            At 0.25 miles, you reach the hollow’s rim as a spur trail exits right to the White Trail, which in turn leads to adjacent Cockaponset State Forest.  Stay with the Red Trail as it curves left to head north along the hollow’s rim.  The rim area features a lot of boulders, and the shallow rocky soil supports only some stunted pine trees and a thick understory of shrubs and grass.

Climbing toward the hollow's rim

            The Red Trail undulates gently as it heads north with the deep and steep hollow to your left.  Near 0.5 miles, the trail treads atop a sheer rock cliff that would give nice views into the hollow during the leafless months.  All of the rock ledges at Chatfield Hollow are made of a gray metamorphic rock called Monson gneiss, and the rock’s odd color gives the area a distinctive look.

Top of a sheer rock ledge

            The going on the hollow rim is fairly easy, but when the trail dips under the cliff line the treadway becomes rough and boulder-strewn.  You may need to use your hands to keep your balance while clambering over the boulders.  Just shy of 1 mile, Chatfield Hollow Brook comes into view as the Purple Trail enters from the left.  Soon you reach a red covered bridge that spans the brook.  Do not cross the bridge now, but instead remain on the Red Trail as it stays on the east bank of the brook.

Covered bridge

            At 1.3 miles, the Red Trail ends at a small pond created by a stone dam with a waterwheel.  Some sunny picnic tables make nice places to sit, but a parking lot across the pond ensures you will not be alone here.  After enjoying this area’s tranquility, walk around the pond to reach the parking lot.

Pond at end of Red Trail

            My plan for continuing this hike was to pick up the Orange Trail at the west side of this parking lot, but I could not find the Orange Trail.  In hindsight, I looked for the Orange Trail in the wrong spot: I should have looked in a small cul de sac just north of the parking lot.  As an improvised route, I turned left on the park road that serves the parking lot and walked down the road to the covered bridge you passed earlier.  I then crossed the covered bridge and hiked the Purple Trail, the blazes of which are a very light shade of purple.  The Purple Trail offers a flat but somewhat rocky course along Chatfield Hollow Brook.  Some nice beech trees live along the brook, and this improvised route turned out to be quite pleasant.

Hiking along Chatfield Hollow Brook

            At 1.75 miles, the Purple Trail comes out at a picnic area beside the brook and the park road.  Wanting to get back on my intended course, I crossed the brook via the park road’s bridge and picked up the signed West Crest Trail, which is marked with blue rectangular paint blazes.  True to its name, the West Crest Trail climbs out of the west side of Chatfield Hollow.  The climb is gradual at first, but the grade becomes steep and rocky before you reach the hollow’s rim.

            Ignore an unmarked trail that exits left before reaching a junction with the Orange Trail at 2.1 miles.  Turn left to begin heading south on the Orange Trail.  This part of the Orange Trail offers a comparatively flat and easy trek, and some old stone walls indicate this land has been farmed in the past.  Where the Orange Trail splits, you could go either way because the two options come back together further south, but the left option is about half as long as the right option.  I chose the shorter option, but you should choose whichever one pleases you.

Hiking the Orange Trail

            3 miles into the hike, traffic on SR 80 comes within earshot on the right as a tall, stark, nearly vertical gneiss rock outcrop can be seen ahead.  Now comes the hardest part of the hike: the trail circles around to the back of the outcrop and climbs its bare rock ledges.  Whereas you may have needed to use your hands to navigate the boulders earlier on this hike, you will definitely need to use your hands to climb and descend these ledges.  I met some rock climbers/rappellers here who were enjoying this cliff for their sport, and their climbing route was much longer and sheerer than mine.  Some nice views to the west might emerge here in the leafless months.

            The trail traces the cliff line before curving right and descending the back (east) side of the rock outcrop.  This descent is steep and rocky but more manageable than the way you came up.  At 3.5 miles, you reach the south end of the Orange Trail when you intersect the park exit road.  Cross the road to begin the Paul F. Wilderman Boardwalk, which is named for its designer.

Paul F. Wilderman Boardwalk

            Made of real wood, the boardwalk carries you over a shallow wetland formed by a broad section of Chatfield Hollow Brook.  Interpretive signs describe the wetland’s rich flora and fauna, but the greenery is sufficiently dense to make wildlife viewing difficult.  The east end of the boardwalk comes out at a gravel parking lot near the park entrance road.  Turn left and walk the park road back to the swimming area to complete the hike.  Alternatively, if you have more time and energy you could turn right to reach the start of the Chimney Trail and explore the park's caves.

Bluff Point State Park and Coastal Reserve (Blog Hike #535)

Trail: (unnamed)

Hike Location: Bluff Point State Park and Coastal Reserve

Geographic Location: south side of Groton, CT (41.33575, -72.03342)

Length: 3.7 miles

Difficulty: 3/10 (Easy/Moderate)

Date Hiked: August 2015

Overview: A lollipop loop on wide gravel trail passing an historic house foundation and Long Island Sound views.

Park Information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Bluff-Point-State-Park

Hike Route Map: http://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=453305
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: In southeastern Connecticut, take I-95 to SR 117 (exit 88).  Exit and go south on SR 117.  Take SR 117 south 1.1 miles to its end at US 1 and turn right on US 1.  Drive US 1 0.2 miles to Depot Street; there is a traffic light at this intersection.  Turn left on Depot Street.  Where Depot Street forks, take the right fork under the Amtrak railway, after which the road turns to gravel.  Park in the large gravel parking area at the end of the gravel road.

The hike: Consisting of only 800 acres, Bluff Point State Park and Coastal Reserve occupies a very important parcel of land: Connecticut’s last significant piece of undeveloped shoreline.  Although proposed as parkland as early as 1914, land acquisition did not begin until 1963 when the state purchased the western portion of the park from Henry A. Gardiner III.  The park was established as a coastal reserve by a special act of the Connecticut legislature in 1975.

            Foot traffic accesses the park via a single two-track dirt/gravel trail that forms a lollipop loop with a short stick.  That trail is the one described here.  Be warned that although the park has two large gravel parking lots, both lots can fill on warm-weather weekends.  Despite the park’s lack of amenities (other than fishing, sunbathing, and trails), you should try to plan a weekday or winter visit to minimize the crowds.

Information board at trailhead

            Start at the rear of the parking lot where a large information sign contains a rough trail map and some park information.  The wide gravel trail that goes left past the port-o-lets leads to another park, so you should choose the wide gravel trail that goes straight behind the sign.  Ignore some single-track dirt trails that exit left; they lead to the park’s confusing and poorly marked mountain bike trail system.

            At 0.2 miles, the wide gravel trail forks to form its loop.  A majority of people using this park choose the right fork because it offers the shortest route to the beach.  To reduce the crowds temporarily, this hike will turn left and use the right trail as the return route, thus hiking the loop clockwise.

            The trail climbs moderately at first and then gradually to leave the riverside area downhill to the right.  Some birch trees make an appearance in the young upland forest, and a couple of benches offer opportunities to rest if desired.  Soon the trail becomes lined with old stone walls, remnants of this land’s pre-park agricultural days.

Stone walls beside trail

            Just shy of 1 mile, you reach a stone foundation, all that remains of Governor John Winthrop Jr.’s homestead.  John Winthrop Jr. served as governor of the Connecticut Colony from 1657-1676.  His father John Winthrop Sr. had founded the adjacent Massachusetts Bay Colony, and Winthrop Jr. played a key role in unifying the settlements in the Connecticut River valley into a single colony.  His son, Fitz-John Winthrop, would also serve as governor of the Connecticut Colony from 1698-1707.  Winthrop Jr.’s homestead was built in 1648.  The structure stood 2.5 stories tall and had 33 windows, a very impressive building for 1600’s colonial America.  Interpretive signs tell more about the Winthrops and their house.

Winthrop house foundation

            The trail angles right to pass around the old house site and continue its southbound course.  Just after passing the house site, a side trail that exits right for the western portion of this loop provides the opportunity to short-cut this hike if desired.  Continuing south, thus far the trail has been mostly shaded, but more sunny and shrubby areas start to appear as you descend toward the sea.  At 1.6 miles, you reach the short signed spur trail to Sunset Rock, which exits right.  In times past Sunset Rock offered a nice west-facing vista, but these days trees completely obscure any view.

Sunset Rock

            The trail curves left and then right as you approach the southern-most point of land.  Some views of Long Island Sound begin to emerge over the shrubs, and some side trails exit left to give better views of the sound.  On a clear day New York’s Fishers Island can be seen in the distance to the south.

Hiking along Long Island Sound

Long Island Sound

2.2 miles into the hike, the spur trail to the beach exits left.  The east-west beach is more than 0.5 miles long, and it lies right at the mouth of the Poquonnock River.  The sand and gravel on the beach are what remain of glacier deposits left here many thousands of years ago.  If you wish to take a detour, you can walk down the beach for more excellent Long Island Sound views.  The beach is the highlight of this popular park, so you will likely not be alone here.  Also, another port-o-let sits just across from the beach spur trail should the need arise.

State park beach

Now heading north, the wet areas stay in near-constant view to the left.  At first shallow and marshy Bluff Point Lake provides the aquatic scenery, but later the Poquonnock River does the honor.  I saw a couple of herons in the water on my hike, but the most common birds I saw were airplanes from the Groton New London Airport located directly across the river.

At 2.8 miles, the short-cut trail from the historic house site enters from the right.  The hillside to your right gets rockier as the Poquonnock River comes right up to the trail on your left.  3.5 miles into the hike, you close the loop.  A soft left turn and 0.2 miles of level walking return you to the parking lot to complete the hike.

Housatonic Meadows State Park: Pine Knob Loop Trail (Blog Hike #534)

Trail: Pine Knob Loop Trail

Hike Location: Housatonic Meadows State Park

Geographic Location: north of Cornwall Bridge, CT (41.83331, -73.38356)

Length: 2.7 miles

Difficulty: 9/10 (Difficult)

Date Hiked: August 2015

Overview: A loop hike using the Appalachian Trail with two viewpoints of the Housatonic River valley.

Park Information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Housatonic-Meadows-State-Park

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=728131
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: From the intersection of SR 4 and US 7 on the west side of Cornwall Bridge, take US 7 north 1 mile to the signed gravel Pine Knob Loop Trail parking lot on the left (west) side of the road.  Park here.

The hike: Tracing a 139-mile north to south course through western Massachusetts and western Connecticut, the Housatonic River is one of the main waterways in southern New England.  The river’s name is a corruption of the Mohican Indian word usiadienuk, which translates to “beyond the mountain place.”  Popular culture became familiar with the river in the 1910’s when American composer Charles Ives wrote “The Housatonic River at Stockbridge,” a piece inspired by the river views he obtained on his honeymoon in Stockbridge, MA.  The river is also famous for hosting the southernmost spawning run for Atlantic salmon.

            Many parks call the banks of the Housatonic River home, but one of the more famous is Connecticut’s Housatonic Meadows State Park featured here.  The park is best known for its fishing opportunities and its riverside 61-site campground.  In terms of trails, most of the park’s trails are short trails used by anglers to access the river.  As such, the park has only one good loop trail for hikers, the one described here.  This loop takes you up to the Appalachian Trail (AT) and past a couple of valley overlooks before embarking on a steep, rocky descent back down to the river valley.

Start of Pine Knob Loop Trail

            The dirt trail starts at the right (north) side of the parking lot and immediately heads into the woods.  The Pine Knob Loop Trail is well-marked with blue rectangular paint blazes for its entire distance.  After crossing Hatch Brook on large stepping stones, you reach the fork that forms the loop.  To make the climb a little easier, I chose to angle left and use the trail going right as my return route, thus hiking the loop clockwise.

            The trail climbs on a moderate to steep grade with Hatch Brook visible on your left.  After climbing past a scenic cascade in the brook, the trail briefly levels as you enter a quiet glen with plenty of hemlock trees.  Some rocks beckon you to sit and rest in the peaceful setting.

Intersecting the AT

            After some more climbing, you reach the AT 0.6 miles into the hike.  Turn right to begin your northbound journey on the AT.  For the next 0.75 miles the white AT blazes and the blue Pine Knob Loop Trail blazes run conjointly along the top of the ridge.

            At 0.9 miles, you reach the first overlook.  This viewpoint looks east directly across the valley with the river valley in the foreground and Mohawk Mountain in the background.  Some pine trees frame the view perfectly.

View from first overlook

            Continuing north, the trail assumes a fairly level but slightly rocky ridgetop course.  Some nice oak trees live up here on top of the ridge.  After curving right, the trail descends slightly using a couple of switchbacks to avoid any steep areas.

            1.4 miles into the hike, the AT and the Pine Knob Loop Trail part ways at a signed intersection.  Turn right to leave the AT and continue the Pine Knob Loop Trail.  Now you need to baton down the hatches because the hardest part of the hike begins.  After dipping through a high saddle, the trail climbs on a steep and rocky grade to reach Pine Knob.  Just over the summit of Pine Knob sits the second viewpoint.  This overlook looks down the Housatonic River valley rather than across it.  Thus, you get a different angle on this scenic area compared to the first overlook.

View from second overlook

            The steep and rocky descent continues past the second overlook.  Follow the blue blazes to stay on the trail, and carefully pick your way down the rocks one step at a time making sure each step is on solid footing before taking the next one.  A light rain shower started falling as I made my way through the rocks, so I had to take it extra slow and be extra careful to avoid slipping, which I did successfully.  A small secondary vista opens up as you get near the bottom of the super rocky section.

Descending steep, rocky trail

            The steep descent continues, but the treadway becomes dirt rather than rock, thus making for better footing.  2.1 miles into the hike, you reach the bottom of the hill and a trail intersection.  As directed by a sign, you need to turn right to continue the Pine Knob Loop Trail.  The trail going left leads to the state park campground.

            The final 0.4 miles head south through the flat river valley, a welcome reprieve from the steep rocky areas you handled earlier.  US 7 becomes audible through the trees to the left while the hillside rises to the right.  A couple of wet areas need to be negotiated, but overall the going is quite easy.  Just shy of 2.6 miles, you close the loop.  After a left turn and a recross of Hatch Brook, you return to the parking area to complete the hike.

Kent Falls State Park (Blog Hike #533)

Trails: White, Yellow, and Red Trails

Hike Location: Kent Falls State Park

Geographic Location: northeast of Kent, CT (41.77668, -73.41678)

Length: 1.3 miles

Difficulty: 5/10 (Moderate)

Date Hiked: August 2015

Overview: A loop hike beside long, cascading Kent Falls.

Park Information: https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/State-Parks/Parks/Kent-Falls-State-Park

Hike Route Map: https://www.mappedometer.com/?maproute=728130
Photo Highlight:

Directions to the trailhead: Kent Falls State Park is located on the east side of US 7 5.1 miles north of Kent, CT or 4 miles south of Cornwall Bridge, CT.  Enter the state park, pay the confiscatory entrance fee ($4 higher than any other state park I have ever visited), and park in the large blacktop parking lot.

The hike: Located in extreme western Connecticut less than 5 miles from the New York state line, Kent Falls State Park protects 495 acres around its namesake waterfall.  The main land parcel was donated to the state in 1919 by the White Memorial Foundation.  The depression-era Civil Works Administration developed the park, and the Youth Conservation Corps of Connecticut reconstructed many of the park’s trails in the 1970’s.

            Kent Falls State Park offers only a few picnic tables and 1.5 miles of trails in terms of facilities.  Thus, the waterfall remains the park’s centerpiece.  Nevertheless, the park’s website warns that the park closes when the parking lot fills, an indication as to how popular this park can be.  Most park visitors only hike to the falls, so any crowds you may encounter will thin out after you get past the highly developed trail along the cascade.  Somewhat to my surprise, when I came here on a warm Saturday morning, there were only two other vehicles in the large parking lot.

Covered bridge at trailhead

            Start by crossing the red and white covered bridge at the left (north) side of the parking lot.  The covered bridge is a reproduction built in 1974 by Edmund Palmer, a state park employee.  Once across the covered bridge, angle left on the wheelchair-accessible paved path to arrive at the base of Kent Falls.  For a 250-foot waterfall, the shallow plunge pool is quite small, making a dip look uninviting.  Moreover, entry into the water is prohibited by park rules.

Base of Kent Falls

            The trail ascends the right side of the waterfall using several sets of well-constructed steps.  Several viewpoints provide views of cascades, each cascade higher up the hillside than the previous one.  As such, the waterfall seems to go on and on without end.  A few pools allow the water to collect, but for the most part the string of cascades is continuous.  Although the water volume on my early August visit was only moderate, each cascade was still quite scenic.

More cascades

Top of Kent Falls

            Just past 0.3 miles, you reach the upper-most viewpoint.  This point gives a nice view of two consecutive 8-10 foot drops, which turn out to be the very top of the waterfall.  The nice steps end here, and most people turn around at this viewpoint.  However, the trail continues up the hillside by using a switchback to get around a vertical cliff.

            At 0.4 miles, you reach the west shoulder of gravel Dugan Road, where the trail you have been following ends.  To continue the loop, turn left and use the narrow concrete road bridge to cross Kent Falls Brook.  Now on the north side of the creek, look for the red blazes that enter the woods on the left to begin the return route.

Descending on the Red Trail

            In contrast with the very developed trail you climbed on the south side of the creek, the dirt Red Trail is rather primitive with a large number of roots to impede your progress. 0.5 miles into the hike, the Yellow Trail exits right.  This intersection is marked by a sign with yellow letters that spell out “trail” and an arrow.  The shortest route back to the parking area would be to continue straight on the Red Trail, but for a change of scenery and to see a little of the area’s history, turn right to begin the Yellow Trail.

Descending on the old road

            The Yellow Trail quickly joins an old dirt road and begins a gradual descent.  Some stone walls mark old property boundaries that predate the park and remind you that this land was once farmland.  At 0.8 miles, the trail curves left to briefly leave the old road only to rejoin it at a slightly lower elevation after making a broad switchback.  Traffic on US 7 can be heard downhill to the right.

Old stone walls

            1.2 miles into the hike, the Yellow Trail ends at its lower junction with the Red Trail.  Turn right on the Red Trail to begin the final segment back to the trailhead.  While the descent on the Yellow Trail was quite gradual, the descent on the Red Trail is quite steep with many roots to cause footing issues.  A final left curve deposits you at the north side of the parking area near the covered bridge, thus marking the end of the hike.