VERNON

TRAIL SYSTEM

Revision 6

April, 2015

Prepared for Vernon Parks and Recreation

By the Vernon Greenways Volunteers

Page 2

Page 3

TYPE AND VARIETY OF TRAILS IN VERNON, CT

This document provides historical and practical information to complement the enclosed maps. All trails

in this publication are open to the public. Copies are available at the office of Vernon Parks and

Recreation at Henry Park, 120 South St., Vernon, Ct. 06066. Phone (860) 870-3520. In 1998, Vernon

received the Connecticut Trail Town Award from the Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA).

1. RISLEY POND LOOP TRAIL

This trail consists of 3.7 miles of blazed loop trails and a trek up to the ridge of Box Mountain in Vernon.

The feature option is a scenic walk through mixed growth forest to a vista overlooking historic Railroad

Valley. Shorter, less aggressive options are indicated on the map. Swimming and boating are not

allowed in the pond which is a water source; however, ice skating is allowed in the winter and fishing

year round. The trail is permitted on properties both privately owned and deeded to the Manchester

Conservation Land Trust. Trail construction and maintenance is provided entirely by volunteers from the

Connecticut Forest and Park Association (CFPA now manages over 800 miles of trails). Parking (ample)

is available just off Lake Street near Amy Drive.

2. RAILS-TO-TRAILS; HOP RIVER LINEAR PARK TRAIL

This multi-use greenway consists of 5.1 miles of trail along an abandoned railway (Hartford, Providence

and Fishkill RR) from the Vernon/Manchester town line east, then south to the Vernon/Bolton town line.

This is the Vernon segment of the HOP RIVER LINEAR PARK Trail that runs 21 miles from

Manchester to Willimantic where you can make connections with the 40 mile AIRLINE LINEAR PARK

Trail. These trails are permitted on Connecticut DOT property that is used by the Connecticut DEP and

managed by the DEP or the town within which it is situated (Vernon manages its segment). This Vernon

section was re-graded by the Connecticut National Guard - Bravo Company of the 242nd Engineer

Battalion and was then covered with stone dust by the town of Vernon. The funding was obtained by the

Vernon Hockanum River Linear Park Committee from the State via ISTEA funding and grants. This

popular trail is used for biking, hiking, jogging, walking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding.

Handicap usage is encouraged. The trail is maintained by the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department

and the Vernon Greenways Volunteers. The trail is included in the Hockanum River Master Plan of

Development which is approved by the Town of Vernon; hereafter, indicated as the 'Master Plan'.

Parking is available at Church Street (ample), Tunnel Road (5 cars) and Valley Falls Park (ample). On-

Site trail maps are available at the Church Street and Tunnel Road parking lots. Portable bathroom

facilities are available year-round at the Church Street parking lot.

3. RAILS-TO-TRAILS; ROCKVILLE SPUR

This multi-use greenway consists of 4.1 miles of trail along an abandoned railway that was originally

constructed in 1862 to supply an already industrialized Rockville, Ct. It splits from the HOP RIVER

LINEAR PARK Trail and heads north into the town’s historic center. The trail includes a foot bridge

across the Tankerhoosen River. The foot bridge funding was obtained by the Vernon Hockanum River

Linear Park Committee from the State via ISTEA funding and grants. This popular trail is used for

biking, hiking, jogging, walking, cross-country skiing, and horseback riding. Handicap usage is

encouraged. The trail is located on State DOT property for use by the State DEP. The trail is maintained

by the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department and the Vernon Greenways Volunteers. The trail is

included in the Master Plan. Parking is available at Sacred Heart Church (ample) and Rau Street (4 cars).

Portable bathroom facilities are available year-round at the Church Street parking lot.

Page 4

4. HOCKANUM RIVER LINEAR PARK (Hockanum River and Dart Hill Park Trails)

These trails include 2.5 miles of orange blazed trails that begin at the Water Treatment Plant on

Windsorville Road (Rte 74) and parallels the Hockanum River in Vernon. The trail is as close to the river

bank as possible and provides a means of accessing the river for clean-up purposes. This trail, also,

provides a beautiful scenic hike with mixed forest, water wildlife and river views. Alternate routes are

provided where access is limited in the early spring and very wet weather periods. The trail is permitted

on properties which are owned by the town and private land owners. Fishing is popular. There is, also, a

1.2 mile Stone Dust Trail and alternate trails in Dart Hill South Park. Trail construction and maintenance

is provided by the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department and the Vernon Greenways Volunteers.

These trails are included in the Master Plan.

Vernon is part of a larger plan to create a continuous river walk along the Hockanum

River in Ellington, Vernon, Manchester and East Hartford. See the Hockanum River

Watershed Association web page for specifics at www.hockanumriverwa.org

4. A & B HOCKANUM RIVER TRAILS (A is North and B South of Dart Hill Road)

There are two types of trails: (1) a riverside hiking trail and (2) a wide, flat Stone Dust Trail. The trails

can be accessed from several parking sites and are intersected by a few alternate trails. The riverside

hiking trail is 2.3 miles long and blazed with orange markers. It begins at the Water Treatment Plant on

Windsorville Road (Rt. 74) and runs south 1.4 miles to Dart Hill Road. A 0.3 mile walk west along Dart

Hill Road connects to a continuation of the trail south of Dart Hill Road. In 0.15 miles you intersect with

the Stone Dust Trail. At that point the trail either loops back to the river or runs concurrently with the

Stone Dust Trail until you get to Hockanum Blvd where it splits off and ends at Naek Road. The walking

trail, a.k.a. the Stone Dust Trail, is 1.2 miles long. It begins at the Dart Hill South parking lot and is ideal

for easy walking in a natural environment while perpetuating a feeling of safety. This trail features three

historic markers with seating to view the river landscape and picnic. Parking is available at the Water

Treatment Plant (5 cars), Dart Hill North Park (ample), Dart Hill South Park (ample) and Naek Road cul-

de-sac (8 cars). On-Site trail maps are available at the Water Treatment Plant and Dart Hill South Park

parking lots.

4C. DART HILL PARK TRAILS (No separate map)

This park contains 1.1 miles of loop trails, as well as, playground and picnic facilities. The park is

entirely on Vernon town property and was dedicated on July 21, 1997. The funding was obtained by the

Hockanum River Linear Park Committee from the State via recreational funding and grants. The

construction of this trail was included in the contract and the maintenance is provided by the Vernon

Parks and Recreation Department and the Vernon Greenways Volunteers. This park is included in the

Master Plan. Parking and On-Site Trail maps are available at the Dart Hill South Park parking lot.

5. INDIAN TRAIL, NORTHERN CONNECTICUT LAND TRUST (NCLT)

There are 1.4 miles of blazed loop trails on two adjoining parcels of land that were deeded to the NCLT.

The trails are accessed at the corner of Bolton Rd and Indian Trail. Although the lower trail is wet in the

spring, the trail provides opportunities for viewing wildlife and birds. The trails are constructed and

maintained by NCLT volunteers. Two loop trails (Trail 8) are located around the Boulder Crest Soccer

Field and are partially on NCLT property, as is the Blue/red bike access trail on Valley Falls Road. See

Talcott Ravine (Trail 12) for the remaining NCLT trail.

6. VERNON CENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL TRAILS

This school trail on town property contains 1.9 miles of blazed trails. The trails are used by the students

going to and from school and by the public for hiking or cross-country skiing through woods, on hills

and around a pond. The pond trail facilitates clean-up along the shoreline and provides an opportunity

for the study of pond environments. The school track athletes also train on the trails. The construction

and maintenance are provided by the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department and the Vernon

Greenways Volunteers. Ample parking is available in the extreme northeast corner of the parking lot.

Page 5

7. BELDING TROUT MANAGEMENT TRAILS

This 282 acre Belding Trout Management Area was deeded to the Connecticut DEP by Maxwell Belding

in the 1980s. In 2002 the Belding family established a trust to manage the property. In accordance with

that trust the property is used for conservation educational programs and an untold number of local

children have benefited from its existence. The formal dedication was on August 24, 2005. The property

is managed as a 'catch and release' fishing area for trout and is located along the Tankerhoosen River.

There are 1.64 miles of blue blazed Shenipsit Trail in a beautiful mixed growth woods, along the river

and a scenic pond. An alternate trail, yellow blazed Belding Path, could be used by those who wish to

return to Valley Falls. There are also several miles of woods roads. Fishing, picnicking, hiking,

cross-country skiing and wild life observation are popular. The river and pond trails facilitate water

clean-up activities. These trails are managed by a DEP wildlife biologist and maintained by DEP

employees and volunteers from the Connecticut Forest and Park Association. Parking is available on

Bread and Milk Road (ample) and Reservoir Road (4 cars).

8. VALLEY FALLS PARK TRAILS

There are several miles of blazed trails in Valley Falls Park, as well as, picnic facilities, a pond, a

pavilion, bathroom facilities and a swimming beach. The park is located on town property. Portions of

the park contain ruins of textile mills and an early trout hatchery. A section of the park has been declared

a National Historic Site. The Vernon Parks and Recreation Department conducts programs including

swimming lessons, a nature camp and educational programs at this site. The park is heavily used for

swimming, picnicking, hiking, x-ctry skiing, fishing, wild flower and wildlife observation and scenic

vistas. The park is a favorite place for activities with mentally and physically challenged groups. The

park is located only 2.5 miles from a commuter parking lot at exit 67 on I-84. No bicycles are allowed in

this park because of past trail damage caused by heavy bike usage (rallies). Trail construction and

maintenance is done by the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department, Boy Scouts and volunteers (The

Friends of Valley Falls, Vernon Greenways Volunteers and Connecticut Forest and Park Association).

Parking is available in a large formal lot just off Valley Falls Road. On-Site trail maps are available near

the beginning of the Main Road Trail (red blazed) just before the pavilion. There are permanent

bathroom facilities available in the summer and portable facilities year-round. Admission is charged in

the summer.

9. BRAILLE TRAIL, VALLEY FALLS PARK

The Braille Trail was constructed on Valley Falls Park town property. The original trail loop

construction was by Boy Scouts of Vernon Troop 223 under the direction of an Eagle Scout. It was later

extended to connect with Valley Falls Park trails. A complete renovation was accomplished in 2009 and

2010 through a DEP grant awarded to The Friends of Valley Falls. To complement the renovation the

Vernon Greenways Volunteers obtained a grant from Pratt and Whitney, removed all invasive plants

from this 1 ½ acre site and planted 105 native plants in this natural setting. There is a guide rope to

follow to the 17 braille signs that contain both Braille and English explanations of historic and natural

interest. The trail is located on the National Historic Site described in the Valley Falls Park description.

The trail is maintained by the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department and the Vernon Greenways

Volunteers. Parking (ample) is at the Valley Falls parking lot.

10. SHENIPSIT TRAIL

The Vernon portion of the Shenipsit Trail contains 4.8 miles of blue blazed trails and is in the central

portion of this 44 mile trail. It is a very popular for hiking and x-ctry skiing since it encompasses

Rails-To-Trails, Valley Falls Park, vistas, ponds, rivers, wild flowers, wildlife and many tree species.

The trail is permitted on state, town and private property. This trail is part of the Connecticut Greenway

System. The trail construction and maintenance is done by volunteers from the Connecticut Forest and

Park Association (a non-profit organization which manages 800 miles of Connecticut trails).

Page 6

11. WALKER’S RESERVOIR TRAIL

This blazed trail is a short (0.8 mile) scenic loop around the shores of Walker East Reservoir. Ducks and

geese are commonly seen. The trail is located on town property. Fishing is popular. Curling, hockey

and skating are possible in winter. Across the street is a commuter parking lot at exit 67 for I-84. There

is access to the blue blazed Shenipsit Trail directly across the street from the Walker’s Reservoir parking

lot. Trail maintenance is done by Vernon Parks and Recreation and the Vernon Greenways Volunteers.

Parking (ample) is in a formal On-Site lot.

12. TALCOTT RAVINE, NORTHERN CT LAND TRUST

Talcott Ravine was a generous gift by the Talcott family to the NCLT. Dedication was on Valentine’s

Day 2011. Points of interest include glacial geologic features, the Tankerhoosen River, Dobsonville

Dam, mill ruins and flora including Umbrella Magnolia. A 1.83 mile loop trail. There is a historic

marker located at the cul-de-sac trailhead. Parking (ample) is at the Main Street cul-de-sac.

13. TULIP TREE TRAIL

The Tulip Tree trail is 1.3 miles in length and consists of two loops. It is blazed with blue/red blazes and

connects to the blue/yellow trail at the south end of Valley Falls Park. The east end of the trail ends close

to Bolton Rd but there is no parking provided. The trail is entirely on State property except for the

connection to the Valley Falls trails. The State defines the trail path and the uses of the trail. The

Conservation Commissions of Bolton and Vernon jointly maintain the trail.

SUMMARY:

The Vernon trail system contains nodes which are widely dispersed throughout the town, providing

convenient access for all of its citizens. Vernon’s central location with easy access from I-84 makes

these trails convenient for most of Connecticut’s citizenry, as well. Many of the trails are scenic with

rivers, ponds, mixed growth forests, wild flowers, wildlife and vistas. The enclosed maps with their

descriptions and mileage indications make all trails user friendly. For these reasons, these trails are

popular for hikes led by the CT chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. They are, also, popular for

wellness walks sponsored by local health organizations and community walks sponsored by the Northern

Connecticut Land Trust and the Vernon Parks and Recreation Department.

Where the trails parallel the two town rivers (Hockanum and Tankerhoosen), clean-up efforts are

facilitated and citizen awareness increased, contributing to an improvement in water quality. They, also,

provide access for non-motorized use by kayaks, rafts and canoes, where authorized.

The Rails-To-Trails divides the town into four approximately equal quadrants and access is easy from

most of the major town roads. It abuts the high school property and is within minutes of several other

schools. It connects with the CT Greenway System and the National East Coast Greenway System.

Therefore, these trails provide for non-motorized use by hikers, bicyclists, walkers, joggers, x-ctry skiers

and equestrians.

The following private, non-profit citizen organizations coordinate with the Vernon Parks and Recreation

Department in the construction of new trails, the maintenance of existing trails and the proper usage of

the trails.

Appalachian Mountain Club, Connecticut Chapter

Connecticut Forest and Park Association

Friends of Hockanum River Linear Park

Friends of Valley Falls

Northern Connecticut Land Trust

Vernon Greenways Volunteers

Page 7

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Page 8

PARKING

Church St (W off Phoenix St) , Sacred Heart Church on

Hartford Tpke (Rt 30) & Rau St (N off Grand Ave) – All

On-Grade parking. Trail Maps and year round portable

bathroom facilities at Church St.

Tunnel Road – Uphill path to trail from road side parking

on the south side of the tunnel. Trail Maps.

Valley Falls Parking Lot (No bikes in park)

Hiking Access – Blue blazed Shenipsit Trail to the

south.

Bicycles Access– Red/blue Jeep Trail on Valley

Falls Road near Railroad Brook.

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2. RAILS-TO-TRAILS: HOP RIVER LINEAR PARK

3. RAILS-TO-TRAILS: ROCKVILLE SPUR

RAILS-TO-TRAILS;

ROCKVILLE SPUR

Unblazed; 4.1 miles;

Direction of travel - S to N

Miles

0.0 Phoenix St.

0.30 Maple Ave.

0.45 Tankerhoosen River Bridge

0.65 I-84 Underpass

0.80 Rt. 30, Hartford Turnpike

2.00 Center Rd.

2.25 Regan Rd.

3.30 West St.

3.70 Rau St.

4.10 Vernon Ave.

HOP RIVER LINEAR PARK

Unblazed, 5.1 miles;

Direction of travel - clockwise

Miles

0.0 Manchester Town Line

0.1 Taylor St.

0.7 Elm Hill Rd.

1.4 Dobson Rd.

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3.7 Valley Falls Loop Trail B/y

5.1 Vernon Town Line

(Pavilion on left is private

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il t

o t

he

left

go

es

dir

ectl

y t

o t

he

Dar

t H

ill

No

rth p

arkin

g l

ot.

1.4

Arr

ive

at t

he

pic

nic

are

a b

y D

art

Hil

l R

oad

.

Acc

ess

the

par

kin

g a

rea

to y

our

left

. C

om

ple

te t

he

rem

aind

er o

f th

e V

erno

n H

ock

anu

m R

iver

Tra

il S

yst

em

by u

sin

g V

ern

on

Ho

cka

nu

m R

iver

Tra

il

(So

uth

of

Da

rt H

ill

Roa

d)

map

.

An

ora

ng

e co

nn

ecto

r tr

ail

to

Ell

ing

ton

sta

rts

at

the

Wa

ter

Tre

atm

ent

Pla

nt,

go

es R

to

Fra

nkl

in a

nd

L t

o a

pa

rkin

g

lot.

4

B V

ER

NO

N

H

OC

KA

NU

M R

IVE

R T

RA

IL

(S

ou

th o

f D

art

Hil

l R

oad

)

T

yp

e: H

ikin

g

Ora

ng

e M

ark

ers;

1.1

Mil

es

Mil

es D

escr

ipti

on

0.0

T

rail

sta

rts

at D

art

Hil

l N

ort

h P

ark a

nd

go

es W

on D

art

Hil

l R

oad

. C

ross

the

Ho

ckan

um

Riv

er.

Pas

s S

kin

ner

Ro

ad.

0.3

S

ho

rtly

aft

er S

kin

ner

Rd

turn

L,

cro

ss

Dar

t H

ill

Ro

ad,

ente

r D

art

Hil

l S

outh

Par

k

pro

per

ty.

Fo

llo

w b

laze

s th

rou

gh w

oo

ded

are

a,

smal

l fi

eld

and

wo

od

ed a

rea.

C

ross

wo

od

en

bri

dge,

sta

y R

0.4

5 J

ust

bef

ore

Sto

ne

Du

st T

rsil

turn

L a

nd

do

lo

op

1 b

ack t

o S

tone

Dust

Tra

il.

Turn

L.

When

lea

ve

wo

od

ed a

rea

take

firs

t tr

ail

to L

and

do

lo

op

s 2

,

3 a

nd

4 t

hat

all

ret

urn

to

Sto

ne

Dust

Tra

il.

0.9

T

urn

L a

t H

ock

anu

m B

lvd

. C

ross

bri

dge.

Cro

ss B

lvd

to

ree

nte

r w

oo

ds.

1.1

T

rail

end

s at

Nae

k R

oad

.

S

ton

e D

ust

Tra

il

Typ

e: W

alk

ing

U

nm

ark

ed;

1.2

Mil

es

Mil

es D

escr

ipti

on

0.0

F

rom

Dar

t H

ill

So

uth

par

kin

g l

ot,

cro

ss

bri

dge

and

turn

L o

n S

tone

Du

st T

rail

.

0.1

T

rail

turn

s R

then c

onti

nu

es s

trai

ght

tow

ard

o

pen

fie

ld (

Igno

re s

ever

al

sid

e tr

ails

co

min

g

fro

m t

he

righ

t).

0.2

5 L

eave

par

k b

ound

ary i

nto

fie

ld,

conti

nue

alo

ng e

dge

of

wo

od

s w

ith h

ousi

ng u

nit

s o

n

yo

ur

rig

ht.

0.6

5 C

ross

Ho

ckan

um

Blv

d.

Kee

p w

oo

ds

on l

eft.

1.2

Ju

st p

rio

r to

Bri

dge

is e

nd

of

trai

l.

Do

n’t

cro

ss.

(Bet

wee

n j

ust

pri

or

to 1

.0 m

iles

an

d j

ust

aft

er t

he

bri

dge

are

thre

e

over

loo

ks

wit

h p

laqu

es c

on

tain

ing h

isto

rica

l si

te i

nfo

. O

ne

has

a

ben

ch a

nd

tw

o h

ave

pic

nic

tab

les.

)

Page 11

5 INDIAN TRAILS, NCLT

INDIAN TRAIL LONGER LOOP White then Yellow markers; 0.96 miles. White trail is wet. Direction of travel: see below

Miles 0.00 Park on R side of Indian Trail Rd approx 50 ft

from Bolton Rd. Enter woods by stone with plaque onto white trail S along Bolton Rd

0.10 Turn L (E) on trail. 0.20 Note house and property on R. 0.22 Cross stone wall, turn L (N) on trail approx 100 ft,

then turn R (E) and go uphill with stream on L. 0.28 Stream turns to L, continue straight uphill to E

with smaller gully on L. 0.36 Near top with houses ahead, turn R on trail. 0.45 Cross a stream gully and continue S. 0.51 Turn R (W) and go downhill. Note: An alternate turn to the L (E) goes 300 ft. out to

Brandy Hill Rd on a right-of-way. There is no room to park on Rd.

0.64 Before a steeper downhill with house in sight in front of you, turn R (N)on trail.

0.72 Cross deep gully and rejoin white trail. Yel-low trail ends. Continue N on white trail with stone wall on L. (L across stone wall on white returns as you started).

0.75 Turn L (W) along stream bed. Note house and property on R.

0.81 Turn R, cross stream, go N on top of dirt bank. 0.92 Turn R (N). 0.96 Arrive back at Indian Trail Rd. approx l00 ft E of

start.

INDIAN TRAIL SHORT LOOP White markers; 0.4 miles; Direction of travel: counterclockwise. Trail is wet.

Miles 0.00 Park on R side of Indian Trail Rd approx 50

ft from Bolton Rd. Enter woods on white trail S along Bolton Rd.

0.10 Turn L (E) on trail. 0.20 Note house and property on R. 0.22 Cross stone wall, turn L (N) on

trail approx 100 ft, then turn L and follow stream W. Note house and property on R.

0.28 Turn R, cross stream, go N on top of dirt bank.

0.36 Turn R (N). 0.40 Arrive back at Indian Trail Rd approx

100 ft E of start.

ADDITIONAL NCLT TRAILS:

See 12. Talcott Ravine Trail Map.

See 8. Valley Falls Trail Map.

Two loop trails near Boulder Crest Soccer

Fields are partially on NCLT property.

See 8. Valley Falls Trail Map.

Blue/red Jeep Trail provides access to Rail

Trail from Valley Falls Rd. near Railroad

Brook.

p

B o lt o n R d

In d i a n T r l

H a tc h H i l l R d

V a l le y F a l ls R d

BR

AN

DY

HIL

L R

d

N

Y E L L OW

T R

W H IT E T R

2 0 0 0 2 0 0 F e e t

Page 12

6 VERNON CENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL TRAILS

Enter Vernon Center Middle School parking lot from either Hartford Turnpike (Route 30) or

West Street. Park in the extreme northeast corner of the parking lot. Start from the blue blazed

Hilltop Loop Trail.

CROSSCUT TRAIL

Red markers; this trail is 0.15 miles long, and provides a

shortened loop walk when used in conjunction with the blue

Hilltop Loop Trail.

HILLTOP LOOP TRAIL. Blue markers; 1.2 miles

Direction of travel is South to North

Note :Moderately steep from 0.45 to 0.7 Mi

Miles Description

0.00 Go North from the Northeast corner of the

school parking lot.

0.10 Cross wooden bridge and turn R (East) on

woods road.

0.20 Follow U shaped woods road until you reach

Ecker Pond. (Yellow marked trail goes R.)

(Blue trail that goes L is your return trail).

0.45 Turn L uphill on foot trail.

0.60 Continue uphill past red trail on L.

0.70 Turn L downhill. Continue down on woods

road past Red and Yellow trails.

0.95 Turn R (South) on woods road. (Ecker Pond

now on L).

1.10 Turn L (South) and cross bridge. Reenter park-

ing lot.

ECKER POND VIEW TRAIL Yellow markers; 0.5 miles; round trip distance

from parking lot is 0.9 miles. Direction of

travel is South to North.

Miles Description

0.00 Go North from the Northeast corner of the

school parking lot on the blue Hillside Loop

Trail.

0.10 Cross wooden bridge and turn R (East) on

woods road.

0.20 Follow U shaped woods road until you reach

Ecker Pond. Go R on yellow Ecker Pond

View Trail and North along shore.

0.30 Go L, crossing blue trail, on woods road

which soon turns L (South).

0.60 Turn L on woods road, joining the blue Hilltop

Loop Trail.

0.65 Turn R (South) on woods road and go South on

blue Hilltop Loop Trail to return to parking lot.

Page 13

7 BELDING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA TRAILS

SHENIPSIT TRAIL, BELDING

TROUT MANAGEMENT AREA

Blue markers; 2.00 miles; Direction of

travel - South to North.

Miles Description

0.00 Leave Valley Falls parking area

and enter woods on N side of

Valley Falls Rd. Trail climbs to NE.

0.42 Pass thru stone wall, cross Bolton

Rd. Trail swings to E on other side.

0.50 Descend into rocky ravine, cross

small brook. Turn N along wall.

0.57 Pass S end of yellow Belding Path on R. Belding Path rejoins the Shenipsit via a

blue/yellow blazed connecting trail near

Reservoir Rd.

0.77 Cross woods road then turning W.

0.84 Descend and cross woods road.

0.86 Go L, follow shore of small pond.

0.94 Cross dam on bridge, turn R.

1.00 Join woods road and follow to N.

1.20 Leave woods road and turn E.

1.28 At Tankerhoosen River, go L.

1.64 Reach abandoned Snake Hill Rd. and

turn L. (Blue/Yellow Connecting Trail

crosses river on old bridge to R, inter-

sects yellow Belding Path in 0.1 mi,

then ends at small parking area on Res-

ervoir Rd.)

2.00 Cross Baker Rd, trail continues 1.4 mi

to I-84 Exit 67 commuter lot.

BELDING PATH

Yellow markers; 0.51 miles;

Direction: N to S.

Miles Description

0.00 Trail leaves blue/yellow Connecting

Trail and Snake Hill Rd. and goes S.

0.22 Turn L from woods road.

0.27 Cross bridge over small brook. Water

cascades over small dam to L. Join

woods road to L (S).

0.41 Leave woods road at bend, and go

straight ahead in open woods.

0.51 Jct. with blue Shenipsit Trail.

Turn L to return to Valley Falls.

Page 14

NO

BIC

YC

LE

S A

LL

OW

ED

ON

TR

AIL

S

W

ITH

IN V

AL

LE

Y F

AL

LS

PA

RK

T

her

e is

an a

dm

issi

on c

har

ge

in t

he

sum

mer

R

AIL

RO

AD

BR

OO

K T

RA

IL

Y

ello

w m

arker

s; m

inim

um

2 m

iles

for

co

mp

lete

lo

op

. T

ravel

: N

ort

h t

o S

outh

.

Mil

es

0.0

P

arkin

g l

ot.

F

ace

po

nd

; go

R t

o e

xit

ro

ad f

rom

lo

t; g

o t

hru

gat

ew

ay;

cro

ss p

ond

dam

. C

ross

2

b

rid

ges

over

sp

illw

ays.

N

ote

wat

erfa

lls.

0.1

C

lim

b s

tair

s.

Co

nti

nue

stra

igh

t (T

rail

at

R i

s

b

lue

Shenip

sit

Tra

il a

nd

go

es u

p t

o r

ail

bed

).

0.2

C

ross

bri

dge

over

Rai

lro

ad B

roo

k.

Imm

edia

tely

tra

il

turn

s R

and

fo

llo

ws

bro

ok s

ou

th.

(T

he

t

rail

L n

ear

bri

dge

is P

ond L

oo

p T

rail

- o

range

m

arker

s).

0.4

C

onti

nue

south

alo

ng b

roo

k.

Cro

ss 3

mo

re

b

rid

ges

over

sm

all

feed

er s

trea

ms.

0.5

C

ross

bri

dge

over

str

eam

. (U

nm

arked

tra

il t

o L

lea

ds

to M

ain R

oad

Tra

il).

0.8

C

ross

bri

dge

over

Rai

lro

ad B

roo

k,

conti

nue

so

uth

alo

ng b

roo

k.

1.0

Jc

t w

ith b

lue/

yel

low

(B

/Y)

mark

ed t

rail

.

O

pti

ons:

A

S

trai

ght

ahea

d o

n B

/Y t

rail

to

RR

Bro

ok

c

ross

ing (

0.2

mil

es),

then f

oll

ow

B/Y

to

red

M

ain R

oad

Tra

il (

0.5

mil

es)

. S

trai

ght

ahea

d

o

n M

ain R

oad

Tra

il to

par

kin

g l

ot

(1.4

m

iles)

. T

ota

l lo

op

2.4

mil

es.

B

R

on B

/Y t

rail

up

hil

l to

rai

l b

ed,

then

R a

gai

n

o

n b

lue

mar

ked

Shenip

sit

Tra

il t

o p

arkin

g l

ot.

T

ota

l lo

op

2.0

mil

es.

C

R

eturn

to

par

kin

g l

ot

on s

am

e tr

ail;

or

take

u

nm

arked

cuto

ff t

rail

R

to r

ed M

ain R

oad

T

rail

then

L;

or

at p

ond

tak

e o

range

Po

nd

L

oo

p T

rail

to R

. T

ota

l lo

op

2.0

mil

es.

BO

UL

DE

R C

RE

ST

SO

CC

ER

FIE

LD

TR

AIL

S (

Par

tial

ly

on N

CL

T p

rop

erty

)

Ther

e ar

e tw

o l

oo

p t

rail

s up

near

the

socc

er f

ield

. T

he

oute

r lo

op

(0

.9 m

iles

) is

mar

ked

ora

nge

and

cro

sses

the

Val

ley F

alls

Lo

op

Tra

il (

B/Y

) tw

ice.

The

inner

lo

op

tra

il

(0.4

mil

es)

is m

arked

yel

low

. S

ee m

ap.

MA

IN R

OA

D T

RA

IL

Red

mar

ker

s, m

inim

um

1.6

mil

es f

or

com

ple

te l

oo

p.

Dir

ecti

on o

f tr

avel:

N

ort

h t

o S

outh

.

Mil

es

0.0

P

arkin

g l

ot.

F

ace

po

nd

, go

L a

nd

pas

s w

ith

p

avil

ion o

n R

to

unp

aved

ro

ad i

nto

wo

od

ed a

rea.

0.2

C

ross

bri

dge

bet

wee

n d

e-f

ore

sted

fie

lds.

0.3

F

oll

ow

ro

ad i

nto

wo

od

s.

Blu

e/y

ello

w t

rail

at

L.

At

fork

in t

rail

, go

L (

Tra

il t

o R

rej

oin

s in

10

0 f

t).

0.5

C

ross

bri

dge,

co

nti

nue

on r

oad

pas

t si

de

trai

l at

R

whic

h g

oes

to

Rai

lro

ad B

roo

k.

0.5

+A

t fo

rk i

n t

rail

, go

L (

un

mar

ked

tra

il t

o R

go

es

to

Rai

lro

ad B

roo

k T

rail

).

0.6

C

ross

str

eam

0.8

Ju

nct

ion w

ith B

lue/

yel

low

tra

il.

L o

n B

/Y g

oes

up

hil

l

and

then b

ack t

o p

arkin

g l

ot.

S

trai

ght

ahea

d o

n B

/Y g

oes

to y

ello

w R

ailr

oad

Bro

ok T

rail

or

to R

ail

Tra

il t

hen

bac

k

to p

arkin

g l

ot.

This

is

the

end

of

the

red

tra

il,

to r

eturn

to

par

kin

g l

ot

on t

he

red

tra

il i

s 0

.8 m

iles.

VA

LL

EY

FA

LL

S L

OO

P T

RA

IL (

Lo

ok O

ut

Tra

il a

t 1

.1

M

iles

)

Blu

e/yel

low

mar

ker

s.

3.8

mil

e lo

op

. D

irec

tio

n o

f

trav

el:

ccw

.

Mil

es

0.0

E

xit

par

kin

g l

ot

to S

on b

lue

trai

l. P

ass

po

nd

on

L

, w

ater

fall

on R

, cr

oss

2 b

rid

ges

over

sp

illw

ays.

0.3

C

lim

b a

nd

des

cend

sta

irs,

turn

R u

p t

o r

ail

trai

l. G

o R

(N)

foll

ow

ing B

lue/

yel

low

mark

ers

on r

ail

trai

l.

0.5

T

urn

L o

ff r

ail

trai

l an

d c

lim

b t

o S

up

the

hil

l.

0.7

P

ass

socc

er f

ield

on R

. an

d e

nte

r B

ould

er R

idge

To

wn

Par

k.

Cro

ss j

ct w

ith o

ran

ge

Bo

uld

er C

rest

Ou

ter

Lo

op

Tra

il.

1.0

C

ross

bro

ok i

n v

alle

y.

1.1

C

ross

Jee

p T

rail

. J

ct w

ith

whit

e L

oo

ko

ut

Tra

il (

go

rig

ht

to v

iew

lo

oko

uts

in 0

.3 m

iles

– 0

.6 r

ound

tri

p.)

Go

L o

n

B/Y

do

wn t

o r

ail

trai

l.

1.2

T

urn

R (

S)

on r

ail

trai

l

1.9

T

urn

L o

ff

rail

bed

go

ing d

ow

n,

turn

R a

t b

ase

of

hil

l.

Yel

low

Rail

road

Bro

ok T

rail

go

es L

. (B

lue

Shenip

sit

Tra

il o

n r

ail

trai

l co

nti

nues

sou

th t

o B

olt

on N

otc

h).

VA

LL

EY

FA

LL

S L

OO

P T

RA

IL (

Co

nt)

2.2

T

urn

L a

nd

cro

ss b

roo

k o

n b

rid

ge.

T

his

is

the

south

-

ern-m

ost

po

int

on t

he

trai

l.

2.3

Jc

t w

ith t

rail

, tu

rn L

(N

ort

h)

(Tra

il t

o t

he

R

le

aves

the

par

k o

n p

rivat

e p

rop

erty

.).

Do

n't

tr

esp

ass!

2.6

T

urn

R o

ff j

eep

tra

il a

nd

sta

rt h

ill

clim

b.

(Jee

p

T

rail

co

nti

nues

No

rth t

o p

arkin

g l

ot

as r

ed M

ain

Ro

ad T

rail

)

3.1

P

ass

hil

l to

p o

n L

, fi

eld

on R

, an

d s

tart

do

wn a

lon

g

ravin

e.

3.5

T

urn

R (

N)

on r

ed M

ain R

oad

Tra

il i

nto

fie

ld.

3.8

V

alle

y F

alls

par

kin

g l

ot.

P

ON

D L

OO

P

TR

AIL

(N

ot

on m

ap)

O

range

mar

ker

s; 0

.6 m

ile

loo

p.

Tra

vel

: c

cw

.

Mil

es

0.0

P

arkin

g l

ot.

F

ace

po

nd

; go

R t

o e

xit

ro

ad f

rom

lo

t; g

o t

hru

gat

ew

ay;

cro

ss p

ond

dam

. C

ross

2

b

rid

ges

over

sp

illw

ays.

N

ote

wat

erfa

lls.

0.1

C

lim

b s

tair

s.

Co

nti

nue

stra

igh

t (T

rail

at

R

is b

lue

Shen

ipsi

t T

rail

and

go

es u

p t

o r

ail

trai

l).

0.2

C

ross

bri

dge

over

Rai

lro

ad B

roo

k.

Aft

er b

rid

ge,

Po

nd

Lo

op

Tra

il t

hen

turn

s L

. (R

ailr

oad

Bro

ok T

rail

conti

nues

alo

ng b

roo

k).

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Page 16

9. BRAILLE TRAIL, VALLEY FALLS PARK

BRAILLE TRAIL

Marked with guide rope; 1,100 ft.; Direction of travel: West from Railroad Brook Trail

(yellow markers) to counter clockwise loop section and east back to Railroad Brook Trail.

Station

0 Start from Valley Falls parking lot.

1 Welcome and explanation of trail.

2 History of Valley Falls Farm and Industry.

3 Dr. Charles Beach family and the swimming pool.

4 Pool filtering system and the pool.

5 Railroad Brook and its journey to Long Island Sound.

6 Ramp over gully and a sketch of Belding Wildlife Management Area.

7 The old mill foundations and the National Register of Historic Places.

8 Tree types in the areas and old guide rope damage.

9 Mill stone wall and the 18th and 19th century industrial era.

10 Directions to the mill center hole for the water wheel.

11 Mill site description and history.

12 The boarding house.

13 Lightning damaged tree.

14 Eleven foot diameter sugar maple and burls.

15 Railroad Brook and a feast for the senses.

16 A spring, Box Mountain property and the Rails-To-Trails.

17 Directions to return to the trail beginning.

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Page 17

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Page 18

1O SHENIPSIT TRAIL

BOLTON NOTCH TO VALLEY FALLS PARK

(Blazes: Blue - Direction of Travel. S to N)

This segment traverses the undeveloped Railroad Brook Valley between Bolton Notch and Valley Falls Park in

Vernon. It features rugged high ledges with views, ponds, streams, and mature hemlock and laurel growth. The trail

will parallel or be coincident with the Hop River State Park Trail.

Leave N side of Rt. 6/44A exit ramp off 1-384 (0.0) just to the E of commuter parking lot (ample parking). Fol-

low entrance road of the closed drive-in theater. Bolton Notch Pond on right. Turn R (0.2) and descend on dirt access

road to Freja Park (undeveloped). Cross brook and turn R on foot path into woods on W side of pond. Cross small

parking area (0.3) and pond access point and continue along W shore of pond. Turning more to the E , cross brook and

climb ledge with overlooks on N side of pond. Trail follows ridge to N (0.5) through overarching laurel, passes above

pond outlet and Railroad Brook. Descend to and cross old woods road. (Follow woods road to R, cross wooden bridge

to Hop River State Park Rail Trail, not marked or blazed). Continue N from woods road (0.6) and with short steep

climb reach top of ridge. On top turn R and then to L, through heavy laurel. Trail comes out to edge of high ledge

(0.8) with views to E and of Railroad Brook and the rail bed below. Skirt large upturned ledge (1.0) and descend

steeply to rail bed. Junction with Hop River Trail. Shenipsit Trail turns to the L and runs N on rail bed. (For loop walk

turn to the R on the rail bed, passing beneath the high ledges that were just crossed. In 0.4 m. turn R, cross wooden

bridge, rejoin Shenipsit.) Follow rail bed with private land on either side (1.3). Small brook down on the L. Pavilion

on the right is private (Please do not trespass). The S boundary of Valley Falls Park is passed on the R (1.6). Shortly,

join the blue/yellow blazed Valley Falls Loop Trail. (R descends from rail trail and makes a CCW loop around E side

of the park, rejoining the main trail @ 2.6, or go straight ahead to 2.6.) High ledges on the L and Railroad Brook is

now below on R. Trail passes base of steep cliff on the L (2.3). Turn R into Valley Falls Park (2.6) at junction with

blue/yellow blazed Valley Falls Loop Trail. Jct. with yellow blazed Valley Falls park Trail (2.7) on W shore of Valley

Falls Pond). Shenipsit Trail turns L with the pond on the R and ledges covered with moss and ferns on the L. Continue

to the N end of the pond and the parking area, 50 cars, on Valley Fails Rd. (2.9). Admission to park is charged in

summer. Park is popular for picnicking, hiking, swimming, nature study, ice skating and cross-country skiing.

SEE “7 BELDING MANAGEMENT AREA TRAILS”

for a description of this next section of the Shenipsit Trail that extends from Valley Falls Park to Baker Rd.

This segment, established in 1995, proceeds N from Valley Falls Park through the Belding Wildlife Management

Area. The WMA was donated to DEP by Maxwell Belding and he established a trust for maintenance. It is rich in

laurel and old-growth trees and features a cascade, pond, and a walk on the banks of the Tankerhoosen River. A loop

walk of 2.8 m. from Valley Falls Park is possible utilizing the yellow blazed Belding Path.

BELDING WMA TO I-84 EXIT 67

(Blazes: Blue - Direction of Travel. S to N)

This segment was completed in 2003. It connects from the Belding WMA, across Baker Rd. in Vernon, along the

south side of I-84, around scenic Walker Reservoir West to the commuter lot at Exit 67.

Main trail goes on dirt Snake Hill Rd. from jct. with blue/yellow connecting trail at iron bridge (0.0) L off woods rd. (0.3)

along small brook. Cross Baker Rd. (0.4) and slab R up small hill. Cross small brook (0.5). Proceed uphill with I-84 fence on

L (0.7). Height of land (0.8), view of Box Mtn. on R. Cross a wet highway drainage area (1.1), views of Walker Reservoir

West on R. L at jct. with Reservoir Rd. (1.5), views of Vernon recreational park, Walker Reservoir East straight ahead. The

park is popular for hiking, picnicking, bird watching, and ice skating. There is a yellow blazed trail which skirts the L side of

the reservoir. Parking for 25 cars at the park. Reach end of this section (1.8) at entrance drive for I-84 interchange #67 com-

muter parking lot with ample parking.

Page 19

11. WALKER’S RESERVOIR TRAIL

WALKER’S RESERVOIR TRAIL

Yellow markers; 0.8 miles; Direction of travel: counterclockwise.

(Easy access to blue blazed Shenipsit Trail, directly across the street from the parking lot.)

Miles

0.00 From Walker’s Reservoir parking lot on Reservoir Rd, go S along road with pond on L.

0.10 Turn L from road along pond shore with pond on L.

0.24 Cross dam at S end of pond and turn N with pond on L.

0.50 Reach N end of pond.

0.60 Reach Mile Hill Rd.

0.70 Go N (Mile Hill Road on R) then S (Reservoir Road on R). Reach N end of pond.

0.80 Arrive back at starting point in parking lot.

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Page 20

12. TALCOTT RAVINE TRAIL-NCLT

The Talcott Ravine loop trail starts at the parking area at the Main St cul-de-sac.

Walk east along Talcottville Pond and pass around the trail gate. Continue past the pond, along

the Tankerhoosen River and at 0.25 miles, cross a wooden bridge. At 0.43 miles, the trail turns

north and away from the river and there is a trail juncture. Continue on the trail straight ahead.

(The trail to the right follows the river to a large rock outcrop and a partial view of the dam.)

The trail turns east and gradually climbs to Dobson Rd at 0.56 miles. Turn right on the side-

walk, cross the dam and continue to the junction with the Rail Trail at 0.73 miles. Turn right on

the Rail Trail. (Left goes to parking at Church St in 0.25 mile.) Continue west on Rail Trail to

Elm Hill Rd at 1.44 miles. Turn right on Elm Hill Rd and follow to Main St at 1.64 miles. Turn

right on Main St and follow to the cul-de-sac at 1.83 miles.

This trail passes through a scenic and historic ravine that was donated to the Northern Connecti-

cut Land Trust by the Talcott family in 2011. Some of the points of interest include glacial geo-

logic features, the Tankerhoosen River, the Dobsonville dam, mill ruins, flora features includ-

ing Umbrella Magnolia.

Page 21

13. TULIP TREE TRAIL

The Tulip Tree Trail is 1.3 miles in length and consists of two loops. It is blazed with blue/red blazes and connects to the blue/yellow trail at the south end of Valley Falls Park. The east end of the trail ends close to Bolton Rd. but there is no parking provided. The trail is entirely on State property except for the connection to the Valley Falls trails. The State defines the trail path and the uses of the trail. The Con-servation Commissions of Bolton and Vernon jointly maintain the trail. The blue pond shown on the map near the east end of the trail is a “kettle hole” and has been identified as a vernal pool by the Vernon Conservation Commission. Parts of the west end of the trail are in wet-lands and there are tall Yellow Poplar trees. The trees are popularly called Tulip trees because they have tulip-shaped greenish-yellow flowers in April flowers in early spring