Hancock Brook Trail
Encyclopedia
The '' is a 2.8 miles Blue-Blazed
hiking
trail Waterville Section of the City of Waterbury
in New Haven County
close to the borders of Thomaston
and Plymouth
, Litchfield County
, Connecticut
. It is contained overwhelmingly in a section of the Mattatuck State Forest
bounded by Hancock Brook on the east, Thomaston Avenue on the west and Spruce Brook Road / Route 262 to the north.
The '' is listed as one of the Waterbury area trails in the Connecticut Walk Book West.
The is a highly linear loop trail composed of two parallel north-south trails connected at the north and south. The eastern trail follows the western shore of Hancock Brook. The western trail follows the ridge line rising up a few yards from the western shore of the Hancock Brook.
Notable features include a 660 foot summit (Lion Head 41.6038°N 73.0509°W) and several overlook views. The trail is maintained largely through the efforts of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association
.
, backpacking
, rock climbing
, and in the winter, snowshoe
ing.
Portions of the trail are suitable for, and are used for, cross-country skiing
and geocaching
. Site-specific activities enjoyed along the route include bird watching, hunting
(very limited), fishing
, horseback riding, bouldering
and rock climbing
(limited).
There is ATV and dirt bike (motocross) use on the trail in violation of the prohibion on state forest lands.
The loop on the trail can be reached by a straight east-west spur from a small parking area at the end of Sheffield Street.
There are a few unmarked trails, dirt forest roads and seasonal streams which cut across the trail.
The trail is almost entirely on Mattatuck State Forest
property (except for the right of way alongside the quarry at the trail head).
.
The Sheffield Street Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a fifty-six foot 'iron bridge (a lenticular pony truss) which was built in 1884 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company.
Sheffield Street is now closed where the bridge, quarry and Hancock Brook Trail meet. It was once a major thoroughfare in Waterville carrying manufactured goods (including cutlery and brass pins) from large Waterville factories. The bridge was specially designed to withstand the transport of these manufacturer's heavy loads.
The railroad track on the eastern bank of Hancock Brook was built in 1906-1907 to create a rail line from Waterbury to Hartford.
Weather along the route is typical of Connecticut
. Conditions on exposed ridge tops and summits may be harsher during cold or stormy weather. Lightning
is a hazard on exposed summits and ledges during thunderstorms. Snow is common in the winter and may necessitate the use of snowshoes. Ice can form on exposed ledges and summits, making hiking dangerous without special equipment.
The eastern section of the trail is usually high enough on the western bank of Hancock Brook that flooding is a rare event.
However, there are some low-lying areas which may become puddles or seasonal streams.
Extensive flooding in ponds, puddles and streams may occur in the late winter or early spring, overflowing into the trail and causing very muddy conditions. In this case fairly high waterproof boots are recommended. Some parts of the trail follow forest roads which often contain a lot of loose stones or ruts from ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles.
Biting insects can be bothersome during warm weather. Parasitic deer tick
s (which are known to carry Lyme disease
) are a potential hazard.
The trail is in Mattatuck State Forest
where hunting and the use of firearms are permitted in season. Wearing bright orange clothing during the hunting season (Fall through December) is recommended.
Blue-Blazed Trails
The Blue-Blazed trail system, managed by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, and the related trail systems documented in the two volume 19th Edition of the "Connecticut Walk Book" comprise over 800 miles of hiking trails in Connecticut.There are now over 825 miles of CFPA Blue-Blazed...
hiking
Hiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
trail Waterville Section of the City of Waterbury
Waterbury, Connecticut
Waterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
in New Haven County
New Haven County, Connecticut
New Haven County is a county located in the south central part of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of the 2010 Census, the county population is 862,477 making it the third most populated county in Connecticut. There are 1,340 people per square mile...
close to the borders of Thomaston
Thomaston, Connecticut
Thomaston is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 7,503 at the 2000 census.-History:The town, originally part of Plymouth, Connecticut, and referred to as 'Plymouth Hollow' was first settled in the early 18th century. The town is known for clock making, which...
and Plymouth
Plymouth, Connecticut
Plymouth is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. It is named after Plymouth, Devon, England. The population was 11,634 at the 2000 census. The Town of Plymouth includes the villages of Terryville and Pequabuck.-Geography:...
, Litchfield County
Litchfield County, Connecticut
Litchfield County is a county located in the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. Litchfield County has the lowest population density of any county in Connecticut but is geographically the state's largest county. As of 2010 the population was 189,927...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. It is contained overwhelmingly in a section of the Mattatuck State Forest
Mattatuck State Forest
Mattatuck State Forest is located between Waterbury, Connecticut to the south, East Litchfield, Connecticut to the north, Bristol, Connecticut to the East, and Bethlehem, Connecticut to the west. The Naugatuck River runs through a portion of the forest...
bounded by Hancock Brook on the east, Thomaston Avenue on the west and Spruce Brook Road / Route 262 to the north.
The '' is listed as one of the Waterbury area trails in the Connecticut Walk Book West.
The is a highly linear loop trail composed of two parallel north-south trails connected at the north and south. The eastern trail follows the western shore of Hancock Brook. The western trail follows the ridge line rising up a few yards from the western shore of the Hancock Brook.
Notable features include a 660 foot summit (Lion Head 41.6038°N 73.0509°W) and several overlook views. The trail is maintained largely through the efforts of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association
Connecticut Forest and Park Association
The Connecticut Forest and Park Association , established in 1895, is the oldest private, nonprofit conservation organization in Connecticut. The organization is credited as an important early pioneer of the national land conservation movement and as an early advocate of long distance trail building...
.
Trail description
The is primarily used for hikingHiking
Hiking is an outdoor activity which consists of walking in natural environments, often in mountainous or other scenic terrain. People often hike on hiking trails. It is such a popular activity that there are numerous hiking organizations worldwide. The health benefits of different types of hiking...
, backpacking
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
, rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
, and in the winter, snowshoe
Snowshoe
A snowshoe is footwear for walking over the snow. Snowshoes work by distributing the weight of the person over a larger area so that the person's foot does not sink completely into the snow, a quality called "flotation"....
ing.
Portions of the trail are suitable for, and are used for, cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing
Cross-country skiing is a winter sport in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skis and poles...
and geocaching
Geocaching
Geocaching is an outdoor sporting activity in which the participants use a Global Positioning System receiver or mobile device and other navigational techniques to hide and seek containers, called "geocaches" or "caches", anywhere in the world....
. Site-specific activities enjoyed along the route include bird watching, hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
(very limited), fishing
Fishing
Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....
, horseback riding, bouldering
Bouldering
Bouldering is a style of rock climbing undertaken without a rope and normally limited to very short climbs over a crash pad so that a fall will not result in serious injury. It is typically practiced on large natural boulders or artificial boulders in gyms and outdoor urban areas...
and rock climbing
Rock climbing
Rock climbing also lightly called 'The Gravity Game', is a sport in which participants climb up, down or across natural rock formations or artificial rock walls. The goal is to reach the summit of a formation or the endpoint of a pre-defined route without falling...
(limited).
There is ATV and dirt bike (motocross) use on the trail in violation of the prohibion on state forest lands.
Trail route
The mainline trail is a highly linear loop bounded by Hancock Brook on east. The western north-south trail parallels the eastern trail and Hancock Brook.The loop on the trail can be reached by a straight east-west spur from a small parking area at the end of Sheffield Street.
There are a few unmarked trails, dirt forest roads and seasonal streams which cut across the trail.
The trail is almost entirely on Mattatuck State Forest
Mattatuck State Forest
Mattatuck State Forest is located between Waterbury, Connecticut to the south, East Litchfield, Connecticut to the north, Bristol, Connecticut to the East, and Bethlehem, Connecticut to the west. The Naugatuck River runs through a portion of the forest...
property (except for the right of way alongside the quarry at the trail head).
Trail communities
The official Blue-Blazed is entired located within the Waterville section of the city of Waterbury in New Haven County.History and folklore
The Blue-Blazed was created by the Connecticut Forest and Park AssociationConnecticut Forest and Park Association
The Connecticut Forest and Park Association , established in 1895, is the oldest private, nonprofit conservation organization in Connecticut. The organization is credited as an important early pioneer of the national land conservation movement and as an early advocate of long distance trail building...
.
Origin and name
The trail is named for Hancock Brook which the trail follows on both the east and west sections of the loop.Historic sites
The Sheffield Street over Hancock Brook (State Bridge No. 5038) is now a condemned ruins blocked from any traffic by concrete barriers. A sign is posted warning that no vehicular nor pedestrian traffic may cross it (it is extremely dangerous).The Sheffield Street Bridge is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is a fifty-six foot 'iron bridge (a lenticular pony truss) which was built in 1884 by the Berlin Iron Bridge Company.
Sheffield Street is now closed where the bridge, quarry and Hancock Brook Trail meet. It was once a major thoroughfare in Waterville carrying manufactured goods (including cutlery and brass pins) from large Waterville factories. The bridge was specially designed to withstand the transport of these manufacturer's heavy loads.
The railroad track on the eastern bank of Hancock Brook was built in 1906-1907 to create a rail line from Waterbury to Hartford.
Hiking the trail
The mainline trail is blazed with blue rectangles. Trail descriptions are available from a number of commercial and non-commercial sources, and a complete guidebook is published by the Connecticut Forest and Park AssociationConnecticut Forest and Park Association
The Connecticut Forest and Park Association , established in 1895, is the oldest private, nonprofit conservation organization in Connecticut. The organization is credited as an important early pioneer of the national land conservation movement and as an early advocate of long distance trail building...
Weather along the route is typical of Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
. Conditions on exposed ridge tops and summits may be harsher during cold or stormy weather. Lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
is a hazard on exposed summits and ledges during thunderstorms. Snow is common in the winter and may necessitate the use of snowshoes. Ice can form on exposed ledges and summits, making hiking dangerous without special equipment.
The eastern section of the trail is usually high enough on the western bank of Hancock Brook that flooding is a rare event.
However, there are some low-lying areas which may become puddles or seasonal streams.
Extensive flooding in ponds, puddles and streams may occur in the late winter or early spring, overflowing into the trail and causing very muddy conditions. In this case fairly high waterproof boots are recommended. Some parts of the trail follow forest roads which often contain a lot of loose stones or ruts from ATVs and four-wheel drive vehicles.
Biting insects can be bothersome during warm weather. Parasitic deer tick
Deer Tick
Deer Tick is an American indie folk band from Providence, Rhode Island led by guitarist and singer-songwriter John McCauley. Deer Tick's music has been described as a combination of folk, blues, and country.-History:...
s (which are known to carry Lyme disease
Lyme disease
Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is an emerging infectious disease caused by at least three species of bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is the main cause of Lyme disease in the United States, whereas Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii cause most...
) are a potential hazard.
The trail is in Mattatuck State Forest
Mattatuck State Forest
Mattatuck State Forest is located between Waterbury, Connecticut to the south, East Litchfield, Connecticut to the north, Bristol, Connecticut to the East, and Bethlehem, Connecticut to the west. The Naugatuck River runs through a portion of the forest...
where hunting and the use of firearms are permitted in season. Wearing bright orange clothing during the hunting season (Fall through December) is recommended.
Conservation and maintenance of the trail corridor
See also
- Blue-Blazed TrailsBlue-Blazed TrailsThe Blue-Blazed trail system, managed by the Connecticut Forest and Park Association, and the related trail systems documented in the two volume 19th Edition of the "Connecticut Walk Book" comprise over 800 miles of hiking trails in Connecticut.There are now over 825 miles of CFPA Blue-Blazed...
- Mattatuck State ForestMattatuck State ForestMattatuck State Forest is located between Waterbury, Connecticut to the south, East Litchfield, Connecticut to the north, Bristol, Connecticut to the East, and Bethlehem, Connecticut to the west. The Naugatuck River runs through a portion of the forest...
- Naugatuck RailroadNaugatuck RailroadThe Naugatuck Railroad was a railroad that ran through south central Connecticut from 1849 to 1887. In the latter year the line was leased by the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad and was wholly owned by the New Haven by 1906. At its greatest extent the Naugatuck ran from Bridgeport north...
- Naugatuck RiverNaugatuck RiverThe Naugatuck River is a river in the US state of Connecticut. It carves out the Naugatuck River Valley. The river flows from northwest Connecticut southward into the Housatonic River in Derby, Connecticut. One of the river's main uses is hydropower, which is used to power industrial plants...
- WaterburyWaterbury, ConnecticutWaterbury is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, on the Naugatuck River, 33 miles southwest of Hartford and 77 miles northeast of New York City...
- WatervilleWaterville (Waterbury)Waterville is a neighborhood of the city of Waterbury, Connecticut. It was formerly known as Pine Hole and Haydensville.Waterville is above sea level and lies in the Eastern Time Zone , observing daylight saving time....