Revision 3

April, 2011

Prepared for Vernon Parks and Recreation

By the Vernon Greenways Volunteers

VERNON

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Revision 3, April 2011

TRAILS:RISLEY POND LOOPRAILS-TO-TRAILS; HOP RIVER LINEAR PARKRAILS-TO-TRAILS; ROCKVILLE SPURHOCKANUM RIVER LINEAR PARKINDIAN TRAILS (NCLT)VERNON CENTER MIDDLE SCHOOLBELDING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREAVALLEY FALLS (SOME NCLT)BRAILLE TRAIL, VALLEY FALLSSHENIPSIT TRAILWALKER'S RESERVOIRTALCOTT RAVINE (NCLT)

1

:

:

PARK (SOME NCLT) PARK

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 permit-

ted on properties both privately owned and deeded to the Manchester Conservation Land Trust. Trail construc-

tion 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 connection 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 they are 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.

*Please note: Twelve miles into the trail from the trail-head in Manchester, the Route 316 bridge (near the inter-

section with Route 6 in Andover) is not yet installed. To continue towards Willimantic go down the hill and

crossover Route 316. Go up Monument Lane, a paved road. Turn right at the end of the lane to return to the

Hop River Linear Park Trail.

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),

Church Street (ample), and Rau Street (4 cars). Portable bathroom facilities and trail maps are available year-

round at the Church Street parking lot.

2

4

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

These trails include 2.3 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 are, also, 3.5 more miles of stone dust, alternate and

loop trails. 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 walking trail. The trails can be ac-

cessed from several parking sites and are intersected by several alternate trails at various points. 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 0.6 miles it joins the walking trail. The

walking trail, a.k.a. the Stone Dust Trail, is 1.0 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 Treat-

ment 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 TRAILS, 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. Other NCLT trails include two loop trails (Trail 8) located around the Boulder Crest Soccer Field

which 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.

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7. BELDING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA TRAILS

This 282 acre Belding Wildlife 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 Beld-

ing 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 wildlife 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 overlapping blazed trails in Valley Falls Park, as well as, picnic facilities, a pond, a pa-

vilion, bathroom facilities and a swimming beach. The park is located on town property. Portions of the park con-

tain 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 ski-

ing, 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 vol-

unteers (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 begin-

ning of the Main Road Trail (red blazed) just before the pavilion. There are permanent bathroom facilities avail-

able 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 Val-

ley 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 expla-

nations 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).

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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 possi-

ble 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 CONNECTICUT LAND TRUST (NCLT)

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 trail-

head. Parking (ample) is at the Main Street cul-de-sac.

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 for-

ests, 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 commu-

nity 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 Depart-

ment 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

Revision 3, April 2011

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

3. RAILS-TO-TRAILS: ROCKVILLE SPUR

Revision 3, April 2011

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.

1.8 Phoenix St.

2.7 Tunnel Rd.

3.7 Valley Falls Loop Trail B/y

5.1 Vernon Town Line

(Pavilion on left is private

please do not trespass)

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.

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 park-

ing 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

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rvil

le R

oad

(R

t. 7

4)

ente

r

W

ater

Tre

atm

ent

Pla

nt

dri

vew

ay.

Par

k i

n

d

irt

lot

on r

ight

next

to k

iosk

(w

tra

il m

aps)

.

Sta

rt h

ike

on o

uts

ide

of

WT

P f

ence

in

wo

od

ed a

rea.

0.1

P

ass

thro

ug

h a

n o

pen

fie

ld a

nd

go

do

wn

stai

rs o

n t

he

rig

ht.

0.3

E

nte

r V

erno

n G

ard

ens

pro

per

ty.

Sta

y o

n

the

right

aro

und

the

swim

min

g p

oo

l.

0.5

C

ross

nar

row

wate

r st

ream

on w

oo

den

b

rid

ge

and

ente

r W

oo

dm

ere

pro

per

ty.

0.7

P

ass

beh

ind

the

Wo

od

mere

unit

s.

0.8

E

nte

r C

ountr

y W

oo

d p

rop

erty

. P

ass

the

tennis

co

urt

s an

d s

wim

min

g p

oo

l.

1.0

O

n s

outh

end

of

Co

untr

y W

oo

d t

wo

sid

e tr

ails

on t

he

left

lea

d t

o a

0.4

mil

e

alte

rnat

e tr

ail

loo

p (

loop

als

o a

cces

sib

le

fro

m a

dir

t p

arkin

g l

ot

by P

aul’

s P

izza

).

1.2

E

nte

r th

e no

rth e

nd

of

Dart

Hil

l N

ort

h P

ark

o

n a

hil

l to

p.

Alt

ernat

e tr

ail

to t

he

left

go

es

d

irec

tly t

o t

he

Dar

t H

ill

No

rth p

arkin

g l

ot.

1.4

A

rriv

e at

the

pic

nic

are

a b

y D

art

Hil

l R

oad

.

Acc

ess

the

par

kin

g a

rea

to y

our

left

.

Co

mp

lete

the

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

.

Th

ere

is a

n o

ran

ge

ma

rker

con

nec

tor

tra

il t

o E

llin

gto

n i

n

pla

ce t

ha

t st

art

s a

t th

e W

ate

r

Tre

atm

ent

Pla

nt,

go

es t

o F

rankl

in S

tree

t a

nd

tu

rns

L i

nto

a

wo

od

ed p

ark

ing

lo

t.

9 8

10

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

oa

d)

T

yp

e: H

ikin

g

Ora

ng

e M

arker

s; 0

.9 M

iles

N

ote

: Im

pas

sib

le a

t 0

.5 m

iles

in v

ery w

et

w

eath

er.

Div

ert

to S

ton

e D

ust

Tra

il.

Mil

es D

escr

ipti

on

0.0

T

rail

sta

rts

at D

art

Hil

l N

ort

h P

ark a

nd

g

oes

W o

n D

art

Hil

l R

oad

. C

ross

the

Ho

ckan

um

Riv

er.

P

ass

Skin

ner

Ro

ad.

0.3

S

ho

rtly

aft

er S

kin

ner

Rd

turn

L,

cro

ss

D

art

Hil

l R

oad

, en

ter

Dar

t H

ill

So

uth

Par

k

p

rop

erty

. F

oll

ow

bla

zes

thro

ugh w

oo

ded

are

a, f

ield

and

w

oo

ded

are

a.

0.4

C

ross

wo

od

en b

rid

ge,

go

R t

hen L

.

0.5

T

urn

R t

hen L

(kee

p H

ock

anu

m R

iver

on L

).

0.6

P

ass

south

ern b

ound

ary o

f D

art

Hil

l S

outh

P

ark.

Co

nti

nue

stra

ight

(tra

il o

n R

is

alte

rnat

e

T

o S

tone

Dust

Tra

il).

0.7

T

urn

R t

o S

tone

Du

st T

rail

, tu

rn L

, p

ass

und

er

p

ow

er l

ines

. T

urn

L a

nd

fo

llo

w b

laze

s b

ack

i

nto

wo

od

s.

0.9

T

rail

rej

oin

s S

tone

Dust

Tra

il.

S

ton

e D

ust

Tra

il

T

yp

e: W

alkin

g

U

nm

ark

ed;

1.0

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 s

ide

trai

ls c

om

ing

f

rom

the

rig

ht)

.

0.2

L

eave

par

k b

ound

ary i

nto

fie

ld,

conti

nue

a

long e

dge

of

wo

od

s w

ith

ho

usi

ng u

nit

s o

n

y

our

rig

ht.

0.6

C

ross

Ho

ckan

um

Blv

d.

Kee

p w

oo

ds

on l

eft.

1.0

B

rid

ge

is e

nd

of

trai

l.

Do

no

t cr

oss

.

(Bet

wee

n 0

.8 a

nd

1.0

mil

es a

re t

hre

e o

ver

loo

ks

wit

h

pla

qu

es c

on

tain

ing s

ite

his

tori

cal

info

. O

ne

has

a b

ench

and

tw

o h

ave

pic

nic

tab

les.

)

10 9

11

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

Bolton Rd

Indian Trl

Hatch Hill Rd

Valley Falls Rd

BR

AN

DY

HIL

L R

d

N

YELLOW TR

WHITE TR

200 0 200 Feet

5 INDIAN TRAILS, NCLT Revision 3, April 2011

10

12

CROSSCUT TRAIL

Red markers; this trail is 0.15 miles long, and pro-

vides a shortened loop walk when used in conjunc-

tion with the blue Hilltop Loop Trail.

11

6 VERNON CENTER MIDDLE SCHOOL TRAILS Revision 3, April 2011

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.

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 parking

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.

13

7 BELDING WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA TRAILS Revision 3, April 2011

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

Reservoir 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.

12

14

13

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

trai

l tu

rns

R a

nd

fo

llo

ws

bro

ok s

outh

. (

The

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

le

ads

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 o

n 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

trai

l (0

.4 m

iles

) is

mar

ked

yel

low

. S

ee m

ap.

M

AIN

RO

AD

TR

AIL

Red

mar

ker

s, m

inim

um

1.6

mil

es f

or

com

ple

te

loo

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‑

fore

sted

fie

lds.

0.3

F

oll

ow

ro

ad i

nto

wo

od

s.

Blu

e/y

ello

w t

rail

at

L.

A

t fo

rk i

n 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 R

ailr

oad

Bro

ok.

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

go

es t

o y

ello

w R

ailr

oad

Bro

ok T

rail

or

to R

ail

Tra

il t

hen

bac

k t

o 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

mil

es.

VA

LL

EY

FA

LL

S L

OO

P T

RA

IL

(W

LO

OK

OU

T T

RA

IL A

T 1

.1 M

ILE

S)

Blu

e/yel

low

mar

ker

s.

3.8

mil

e lo

op

. D

irec

tio

n o

f

tra

vel

: cc

w.

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

ailb

ed.

Go

R (

N)

foll

ow

ing B

lue/

yel

low

mar

ker

s o

n r

ail

bed

.

0.5

T

urn

L o

ff r

ail

bed

and

cli

mb

to

S u

p t

he

hil

l.

0.7

P

ass

socc

er f

ield

on R

. an

d e

nte

r B

ould

er R

idge

To

wn P

ark.

Cro

ss j

ct w

ith o

range

Bo

uld

er C

rest

Oute

r L

oo

p T

rail

.

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

right

to v

iew

lo

oko

uts

in 0

.3 m

iles

– 0

.6 r

ound

trip

.) G

o L

on B

/Y d

ow

n t

o r

ail

bed

.

1.2

T

urn

R (

S)

on r

ail

bed

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

ailb

ed c

onti

nues

south

to

Bo

l-

ton 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‑

mo

st p

oin

t o

n t

he

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300 0 300 600 900 Feet

8. V

ALLE

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Revis

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Pond Loop Trail (Orange - not shown)

NO BICYCLES IN PARK

B/R

16

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 18

th and 19

th 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.

Valley Falls Pond

Valley FallsParking

Railroad Brook

BrailleTrail

Valley Falls Rd

1

234

5

6

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8

910

1112

13

14

15

16

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N

0 300 600 Feet

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9. BRAILLE TRAIL, VALLEY FALLS PARK Revision 3, April 2011

15

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10 SHENIPSIT TRAIL

Revision 3, April 2011

SHENIPSIT TRAIL

0.3 0 0.3 0.6 Miles

16

18

1O SHENIPSIT TRAIL (Revision 3, April 2011) 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). Follow

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 commuter parking lot with ample parking.

17

19

11. WALKER’S RESERVOIR TRAIL Revision 3, April 2011

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.

18

Res

ervoir

Rd

Mile Hill Rd

Loehr Rd

Walker's Reservior E

Tankerhoosen River

COMMUTE R

LO T

EXIT 67

#

WALKER'S RESERVOIR

TRAIL

I-84

#

P

N

0.1 0 0.1 0.2 Miles

20

This trail passes through a scenic and historic ravine that was donated to the North-ern Connecticut Land Trust by the Talcott family in 2011. Some of the points of inter-est include glacial geologic features, the Tankerhoosen River, the Dobsonville dam, mill ruins, flora features including Umbrella Magnolia.

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 sidewalk, 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.

12. TALCOTT RAVINE TRAIL - NCLT

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