The Next Chapter
Hike #73
Branch Brook Trail, Mattatuck Trail (Branch Brook Crossing to Northfield Road)
Black Rock State Park, Mattatuck State Forest (Watertown, CT)
Distance: 6.17 Miles
Hiked: 12/21/2013
Date Published: 12/22/2013
Hike #73
Branch Brook Trail, Mattatuck Trail (Branch Brook Crossing to Northfield Road)
Black Rock State Park, Mattatuck State Forest (Watertown, CT)
Distance: 6.17 Miles
Hiked: 12/21/2013
Date Published: 12/22/2013
My third hike along the Mattatuck was a bit delayed because my good friend Tim wanted to head to the studio to record one of the songs we’d been working on since March. So, instead of hiking on the weekend of the 14th and 15th, I was working on finalizing pieces (particularly string arrangements) and recording tracks for a single which we hope to release in early 2014. During my “time off”, the Northeast was hit with a one-two punch of snowstorms which left a good amount of accumulation. I wasn’t exactly sure how much snow I would find on the trail, but I was concerned it would be more than the shin-deep amount we got at home. So, Roscoe was going to have to sit this one out.
I was also concerned about the parking location for this hike (which I scouted at the end of my previous Mattatuck hike) because I suspected it wouldn’t be plowed. I always plan ahead for these things now (after the debacle down on the shoreline on New Year’s Day), so I put together a back-up plan for parking. As I would come to find out, even my back-up plan would require a back-up plan.
For some unknown reason, on the day of this hike, I woke up at 4am. Typically I set my alarm for 5:15 on the weekends so I’m up pretty early to hike. But, on this day, I was up earlier than normal and couldn’t get back to sleep. So, I packed up my bag and hit the road earlier than usual. As a result, while waiting for sunrise, I ended up with extra time to scout other parking locations. I convinced myself, if I had to, I could park at the location at the corner of Waterbury Road and Jackson Street. But, after checking out some of the other locations, I talked myself out of it…with help from law enforcement.
From the parking location on Waterbury Road, I made the drive over to what the Walk Book calls Northfield Road (off of Route 109). As I was making the turn on to the unmarked paved parked road, I saw a cop car coming in the opposite direction. Wishing to avoid suspicion (and not having any reason to be deemed suspicious), I spoke with the officer for a few minutes and found that I actually wasn’t going to be able to reach the parking location mentioned in the Walk Book because the road is gated off. I thought about making my way back over to Waterbury Road. But, as I was speaking with the officer, he mentioned Black Rock State Park. When I looked back at the map from the Walk Book, I realized this would be a perfect parking location. Crisis averted.
I was also concerned about the parking location for this hike (which I scouted at the end of my previous Mattatuck hike) because I suspected it wouldn’t be plowed. I always plan ahead for these things now (after the debacle down on the shoreline on New Year’s Day), so I put together a back-up plan for parking. As I would come to find out, even my back-up plan would require a back-up plan.
For some unknown reason, on the day of this hike, I woke up at 4am. Typically I set my alarm for 5:15 on the weekends so I’m up pretty early to hike. But, on this day, I was up earlier than normal and couldn’t get back to sleep. So, I packed up my bag and hit the road earlier than usual. As a result, while waiting for sunrise, I ended up with extra time to scout other parking locations. I convinced myself, if I had to, I could park at the location at the corner of Waterbury Road and Jackson Street. But, after checking out some of the other locations, I talked myself out of it…with help from law enforcement.
From the parking location on Waterbury Road, I made the drive over to what the Walk Book calls Northfield Road (off of Route 109). As I was making the turn on to the unmarked paved parked road, I saw a cop car coming in the opposite direction. Wishing to avoid suspicion (and not having any reason to be deemed suspicious), I spoke with the officer for a few minutes and found that I actually wasn’t going to be able to reach the parking location mentioned in the Walk Book because the road is gated off. I thought about making my way back over to Waterbury Road. But, as I was speaking with the officer, he mentioned Black Rock State Park. When I looked back at the map from the Walk Book, I realized this would be a perfect parking location. Crisis averted.
Once I figured out the parking location situation, I started planning out the hike in my head. I already had a pretty good idea how I could make this hike work, because earlier in the week I planned out two potential out and back routes (depending on which parking location I used). Now, I just had to make some minor adjustments. I started by following the park road due east back towards Route 6. Just on the other side of the road, the Branch Brook Trail begins.
The Blue/Yellow blazed Branch Brook Trail, at .8 mile, is one of the many “side” trails which the CFPA counts towards the CT400. Most of them are pretty lame, but they also make for nice additions to the hikes because they allow for the completion of a loop...rather than just out and back hiking along the same trail. Since I don’t really enjoy travelling along the same section of trail twice, I’m glad some of these side trails are included. And, I was glad this one was here.
According to the Walk Book, the Branch Brook Trail follows the route of an abandoned trolley track. As it rolls along the south side of Branch Brook, the trail offers some evidence of this…including the last remnants of what appeared to be an old stone bridge and blasted rock pathways. The rock pathways reminded me a little bit of the Rails to Trails in Vernon. The trail is wide, very flat, mostly straight…and it allowed for me to stretch my legs, making it the perfect warm-up to the Mattatuck, which I soon reached.
From the terminus of the Branch Brook Trail, at the intersection with the Mattatuck, I made a left and followed that trail due east towards Waterbury Road and the area where I was originally planning to park. The trail passes right under the four-lane highway of Route 8.
From the terminus of the Branch Brook Trail, at the intersection with the Mattatuck, I made a left and followed that trail due east towards Waterbury Road and the area where I was originally planning to park. The trail passes right under the four-lane highway of Route 8.
On the other side of Route 8, the trail crosses Branch Brook. I was suspicious of this brook crossing because the Walk Book specifically states “If water and current are low enough for safe passage…” Additionally, some of the information I found online made it sound as if this crossing would be difficult. I really wasn’t in the mood to get my socks wet, so I didn’t risk it. I turned around, planning to eventually park over at Reynolds Bridge and make my way back to this spot later in the day. If I had known at the time just how soaked my feet would eventually get anyway, I would’ve just crossed the brook.
From the brook, I made way back (heading due west) along the Mattatuck. I passed the intersection of the Branch Brook Trail and began my ascent to Leatherman’s Cave and Crane’s Lookout. Some sections in here were a little difficult because of the wet conditions. There were a couple of large rock slabs in particular which were almost impossible to climb up because of a lack of hand holds and melting snow. In the drier months, I’m sure this section is a breeze…but I was having some difficulty. After about a mile, I came to the first of the highlights on this trip…Leatherman’s Cave…
The Walk Book explains that this “cave” was once used by a legendary figure in Connecticut history, the Leatherman. According to the legend, the Leatherman walked a loop of approximately 365 miles between the Connecticut River and the Hudson River from 1858 to 1889. He wore a suit made entirely of leather and walked the loop while living on handouts from the families along the route. The families knew him for his punctuality and even knew what day (and in some cases what time) to have food ready for him. He was found dead in March of 1889, but his legend survives to this day. There is a lot of debate as to whether or not this “cave” is truly one of his caves, but this boulder overhang is cool nonetheless. And, the story of the Leatherman deserves to be told. If you are interested in more about him, I suggest a google search. It really is fascinating stuff.
From the “cave”, the trail does this neat thing where it basically doubles back over the top of the rock formation which forms the “cave” below. This area, known as Crane’s Lookout (elevation: 780 feet) offers some good views to the east, looking back over some of the areas of trail I’d covered on my last hike and earlier on this hike. It was neat to look out over Route 8 after I had just crossed under it earlier in the day.
From the “cave”, the trail does this neat thing where it basically doubles back over the top of the rock formation which forms the “cave” below. This area, known as Crane’s Lookout (elevation: 780 feet) offers some good views to the east, looking back over some of the areas of trail I’d covered on my last hike and earlier on this hike. It was neat to look out over Route 8 after I had just crossed under it earlier in the day.
Crane’s Lookout also offers a great view to the north, which I used as the first picture in this recap.
From Crane’s Lookout, the trail again doubles back and retraces some steps before heading off the right (northwest) towards Route 6. The trail here starts by descending an eroded trail, which I’m sure isn’t much fun in the spring. It crosses an old woods road and ascends again to follow a ridge line. Then, it descends steadily to cross Route 6. The Walk Book notes roadside parking along Route 6 but I don’t recall anything which looked like a good parking area.
From Crane’s Lookout, the trail again doubles back and retraces some steps before heading off the right (northwest) towards Route 6. The trail here starts by descending an eroded trail, which I’m sure isn’t much fun in the spring. It crosses an old woods road and ascends again to follow a ridge line. Then, it descends steadily to cross Route 6. The Walk Book notes roadside parking along Route 6 but I don’t recall anything which looked like a good parking area.
From the Route 6 crossing, the trail descends slightly and then turns to the south (running parallel to the road for a bit). After a right turn, the trail starts to head back uphill and eventually crosses Bidwell Hill Road. There is some room for a few cars here. On the other side of Bidwell Hill Road, the trail enters Black Rock State Park. The snow was packed down here from many feet…so I could tell this section of trail was going to be easy. The trail gently rolls along as it passes Black Rock Pond.
The Mattatuck through Black Rock State Park doesn’t stay on flat ground for very long. After heading north by northwest for about a half mile, it eventually makes a hard left turn and heads west. In doing so, it heads uphill (steeply in some areas) to Black Rock (elevation: 790 feet). The trail doesn’t exactly go past the viewpoint from Black Rock, but there is a short (un-marked) side trail. I was tired, but I’m always in the mood for some exploring. So, I made the trip and I was glad I did. The view from Black Rock is impressive…I could even see my car parked down in the parking lot.
The Mattatuck through Black Rock State Park doesn’t stay on flat ground for very long. After heading north by northwest for about a half mile, it eventually makes a hard left turn and heads west. In doing so, it heads uphill (steeply in some areas) to Black Rock (elevation: 790 feet). The trail doesn’t exactly go past the viewpoint from Black Rock, but there is a short (un-marked) side trail. I was tired, but I’m always in the mood for some exploring. So, I made the trip and I was glad I did. The view from Black Rock is impressive…I could even see my car parked down in the parking lot.
The final three quarters of a mile or so weren’t overly exciting. There is a power line cut and a good amount of ups and downs, which I found especially challenging in the snow. But, there isn’t anything for “highlights”. As the day continued to warm, I found myself slipping and sliding all over the place. The two week layoff and eating Christmas Cookies probably wasn’t good for the ole stamina either. By the time I made it to Northfield Road, I was checked out…but still had the presence of mind to take my “Section Three = Complete” photo.
I scouted the area a bit to see if I could find good parking in the area for my next hike…a waste of time…and eventually made my way back to my car. I used a Red blazed trail within Black Rock State Park as a “short-cut” to get back. This cut out about a tenth of a mile, which I will probably need in order to complete my “365 in 365”…but, at the time, I didn’t care.
In the end, I was so exhausted I decided to leave the section between Reynolds Bridge and the Branch Brook crossing for another day. It is mostly road walk so I’m thinking I’ll hit it up prior to one of my other hikes in the area…when the parking on the side of Waterbury Road is a little more manageable.
I enjoyed this hike, but there is something to be said for the extra energy required to hike in the snow. Hopefully some more of this stuff melts before next time…since the next hike I have planned is 10 miles. I’m going to have to start ripping off miles if I’m going to hit my goal.
Distance to 2013 Goal: 27.36 Miles
In the end, I was so exhausted I decided to leave the section between Reynolds Bridge and the Branch Brook crossing for another day. It is mostly road walk so I’m thinking I’ll hit it up prior to one of my other hikes in the area…when the parking on the side of Waterbury Road is a little more manageable.
I enjoyed this hike, but there is something to be said for the extra energy required to hike in the snow. Hopefully some more of this stuff melts before next time…since the next hike I have planned is 10 miles. I’m going to have to start ripping off miles if I’m going to hit my goal.
Distance to 2013 Goal: 27.36 Miles