Jericho Trail
Encyclopedia
The '' is a 3.4 miles Blue-Blazed
hiking
trail in the Oakville
section of Watertown
, near the border with Thomaston
and Plymouth
, Litchfield County
, Connecticut
. The is contained almost entirely in a section of the Mattatuck State Forest
. The mainline (official "Blue" "non-dot") trail is a linear north-south "hike-through" trail with one east-west connector trail (the Blue-Blazed with yellow dot Whitestone-Jericho Connector) to the Whitestone Cliffs Blue-Blazed Trail.
The trail is listed as one of the three short 'Waterbury Area Trails' in the Connecticut Walk Book West.
The is a linear trail with a trailhead and parking area at the trails southern terminus on Echo Lake Road and a connector trail leading to Connecticut Route 262 in the west. The northern terminus terminates at the trail's intersection with the Mattatuck Trail near the Leatherman's Cave and Crane's Lookout. The Whitestone-Jericho Connector trail which leaves Mattatuck State Forest
, travels alongside Connecticut Route 262, going under Route 8
, then over the Naugatuck River
using Connecticut Route 262 before following the Naugatuck River
norther before entering the Whitestone Cliffs area of the Mattatuck State Forest to meet with the Whitestone Cliffs Trail
.
Notable features several scenic overlook views including an 810 foot summit with a 270 degree panorama (Crane's Lookout 41.6293°N 73.0565°W). The trail stops just before Crane's Lookout and the Leatherman's Cave underneath, both which are on the Mattatuck Trail. 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).
, rail road track and Route 8
a bit farther away but parallel to the western border).
The southern terminus and parking lot on Echo Lake Road is on the northern road shoulder across from a business's driveway. This trail head is less than a quarter mile to the east of another Echo Lake Road trail head and parking lot used primarily by hunters.
The east-west Whitestone-Jericho Connector Trail can be used to connect to the Jericho trail approximately one half mile north of the southern terminus by hiking in from the east (the closest location to the Jericho Trail that the connector trail may be parked near is on Route 262 near the on and off ramps for exit 27 on Route 8
.
From the north it is also possible to connect to the Jericho Trail via the Mattatuck Trail (which can be found in Black Rock State Park
), or to hike in using either of two unmarked paths (which include dirt road portions), one off of Park Road the other on (see the Mattatuck State Forest Letterbox web page for details on these last two options).
Several unmarked trails, dirt forest roads, seasonal streams and a power line also cut across the trail.
The trail is almost entirely on Mattatuck State Forest
property.
in Litchfield County
.
The Blue and Yellow-Dot blazed Whitestone-Jericho Connector Trail enters the southern-most "finger tip" of Thomaston
in Litchfield County
Connecticut
.
.
The largest of these, the Watertown Leatherman's Cave, is a rock shelter which can be found slightly north of the northern trail head at the Mattatuck Trail junction.
was a nineteenth century vagabond who traveled approximately ten miles a day in a thirty-four (34) day circular route between New York's Hudson River in the west and the Connecticut River in the east. His circuit was also bounded by Long Island Sound in the South and the Litchfield Hills in the north.
One famous but disputed and controversial story is that the Leatherman was a French man named Jules Bourglay and had emigrated to America after an ill-fated love affair went asunder.
The Leatherman spent each night in a different 'cave' on his route where he had usually left a supply of firewood and tinder to start a fire soon after he arrived. The fire's heat would warm the stone sides of the 'cave' and allow it to stay warm throughout the night. Most of the cave's provided an opening for the fire's smoke to exit while still providing shelter from cold wind and rain. The Leatherman would accept food and drink (and occasional lodging and/or treatment when ill) from concerned charitable citizens along the route.
He was known as the "Leatherman" for the outfit he wore, which was made of roughly stitched together patches of leather.
He was found dead in March 1889 near Ossining New York in his Saw Mill Woods rock shelter (apparently of mouth cancer due to his use of tobacco) and is buried at the Sparta Cemetery, Route 9
, Scarborough, New York.
It is regularly maintained, and is considered easy hiking, with very few sections of rugged and moderately difficult hiking.
Much of the trail is close to public roads or state forest roads. There are no camping facilities along the trail and camping is generally prohibited in the areas along the trail.
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.
Several sections of the trail are in low-lying areas or next to (or become) 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.
Government Links:
Leatherman:
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 in the Oakville
Oakville, Connecticut
Oakville is a census-designated place and neighborhood section of Watertown, Connecticut. in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,618 at the 2000 census. The zip code for Oakville, Connecticut is 06779.-Geography:...
section of Watertown
Watertown, Connecticut
Watertown is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 21,661 at the 2000 census. The zip code for Watertown is 06795. It is a suburb of Waterbury. It borders the towns of Woodbury, Middlebury, Litchfield, Plymouth, Bethlehem, and Thomaston.-Founding History:More...
, near the border with 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...
. The is contained almost entirely 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...
. The mainline (official "Blue" "non-dot") trail is a linear north-south "hike-through" trail with one east-west connector trail (the Blue-Blazed with yellow dot Whitestone-Jericho Connector) to the Whitestone Cliffs Blue-Blazed Trail.
The trail is listed as one of the three short 'Waterbury Area Trails' in the Connecticut Walk Book West.
The is a linear trail with a trailhead and parking area at the trails southern terminus on Echo Lake Road and a connector trail leading to Connecticut Route 262 in the west. The northern terminus terminates at the trail's intersection with the Mattatuck Trail near the Leatherman's Cave and Crane's Lookout. The Whitestone-Jericho Connector trail which leaves 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...
, travels alongside Connecticut Route 262, going under Route 8
Route 8 (Connecticut)
Route 8 is the portion of the multistate New England Route 8 within the state of Connecticut. It is a state highway running north–south from Bridgeport, through Waterbury, all the way to the Massachusetts state line where it continues as Route 8...
, then over the Naugatuck River
Naugatuck River
The 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...
using Connecticut Route 262 before following the Naugatuck River
Naugatuck River
The 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...
norther before entering the Whitestone Cliffs area of the Mattatuck State Forest to meet with the Whitestone Cliffs Trail
Whitestone Cliffs Trail
The is a Blue-Blazed hiking trail in the Waterbury area in Thomaston and Plymouth, Litchfield County, Connecticut. It is contained almost entirely in a section of the Mattatuck State Forest...
.
Notable features several scenic overlook views including an 810 foot summit with a 270 degree panorama (Crane's Lookout 41.6293°N 73.0565°W). The trail stops just before Crane's Lookout and the Leatherman's Cave underneath, both which are on the Mattatuck Trail. 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).
Trail route
The mainline trail is a rectangular/oval loop bounded by Route 262 on both the east and west (and by the Naugatuck RiverNaugatuck River
The 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...
, rail road track and Route 8
Route 8 (Connecticut)
Route 8 is the portion of the multistate New England Route 8 within the state of Connecticut. It is a state highway running north–south from Bridgeport, through Waterbury, all the way to the Massachusetts state line where it continues as Route 8...
a bit farther away but parallel to the western border).
The southern terminus and parking lot on Echo Lake Road is on the northern road shoulder across from a business's driveway. This trail head is less than a quarter mile to the east of another Echo Lake Road trail head and parking lot used primarily by hunters.
The east-west Whitestone-Jericho Connector Trail can be used to connect to the Jericho trail approximately one half mile north of the southern terminus by hiking in from the east (the closest location to the Jericho Trail that the connector trail may be parked near is on Route 262 near the on and off ramps for exit 27 on Route 8
Route 8 (Connecticut)
Route 8 is the portion of the multistate New England Route 8 within the state of Connecticut. It is a state highway running north–south from Bridgeport, through Waterbury, all the way to the Massachusetts state line where it continues as Route 8...
.
From the north it is also possible to connect to the Jericho Trail via the Mattatuck Trail (which can be found in Black Rock State Park
Black Rock State Park
Black Rock State Park is a state park in Watertown, Connecticut. The park is opened during the spring, fall, and summer seasons. The park offers swimming, camping, and hiking trails...
), or to hike in using either of two unmarked paths (which include dirt road portions), one off of Park Road the other on (see the Mattatuck State Forest Letterbox web page for details on these last two options).
Several unmarked trails, dirt forest roads, seasonal streams and a power line also 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.
Trail communities
This official Blue-Blazed passes through land located within the Oakville section of WatertownWatertown, Connecticut
Watertown is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 21,661 at the 2000 census. The zip code for Watertown is 06795. It is a suburb of Waterbury. It borders the towns of Woodbury, Middlebury, Litchfield, Plymouth, Bethlehem, and Thomaston.-Founding History:More...
in 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...
.
The Blue and Yellow-Dot blazed Whitestone-Jericho Connector Trail enters the southern-most "finger tip" of Thomaston
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...
in 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...
.
Landscape, geology, and natural environment
From high points with unobscured views (e.g. in the winter) on the trail the white stone cliffs on the Mattatuck State Forest parcel across CT-262 ("Whitestone Cliffs" section) may be seen.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 Jericho Brook which the trail follows for a length of less than a mile in the upper northern half of the trail route.Historic sites
Several rock formations found along the trail are called caves, though they are not strictly caves.The largest of these, the Watertown Leatherman's Cave, is a rock shelter which can be found slightly north of the northern trail head at the Mattatuck Trail junction.
Folklore
The LeathermanLeatherman (vagabond)
The Leatherman was a vagabond, famous for his handmade leather suit of clothes, who traveled a circuit between the Connecticut and the Hudson River from about 1856 to 1889...
was a nineteenth century vagabond who traveled approximately ten miles a day in a thirty-four (34) day circular route between New York's Hudson River in the west and the Connecticut River in the east. His circuit was also bounded by Long Island Sound in the South and the Litchfield Hills in the north.
One famous but disputed and controversial story is that the Leatherman was a French man named Jules Bourglay and had emigrated to America after an ill-fated love affair went asunder.
The Leatherman spent each night in a different 'cave' on his route where he had usually left a supply of firewood and tinder to start a fire soon after he arrived. The fire's heat would warm the stone sides of the 'cave' and allow it to stay warm throughout the night. Most of the cave's provided an opening for the fire's smoke to exit while still providing shelter from cold wind and rain. The Leatherman would accept food and drink (and occasional lodging and/or treatment when ill) from concerned charitable citizens along the route.
He was known as the "Leatherman" for the outfit he wore, which was made of roughly stitched together patches of leather.
He was found dead in March 1889 near Ossining New York in his Saw Mill Woods rock shelter (apparently of mouth cancer due to his use of tobacco) and is buried at the Sparta Cemetery, Route 9
U.S. Route 9
U.S. Route 9 is a north–south United States highway in the states of Delaware, New Jersey, and New York in the United States. It is one of only two U.S. highways with a ferry connection ; the other being US 10. US 9 is signed east–west in Delaware and north–south on the rest of...
, Scarborough, New York.
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...
It is regularly maintained, and is considered easy hiking, with very few sections of rugged and moderately difficult hiking.
Much of the trail is close to public roads or state forest roads. There are no camping facilities along the trail and camping is generally prohibited in the areas along the trail.
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.
Several sections of the trail are in low-lying areas or next to (or become) 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...
- Leatherman (vagabond)Leatherman (vagabond)The Leatherman was a vagabond, famous for his handmade leather suit of clothes, who traveled a circuit between the Connecticut and the Hudson River from about 1856 to 1889...
- 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...
- OakvilleOakville, ConnecticutOakville is a census-designated place and neighborhood section of Watertown, Connecticut. in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,618 at the 2000 census. The zip code for Oakville, Connecticut is 06779.-Geography:...
- WatertownWatertown, ConnecticutWatertown is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 21,661 at the 2000 census. The zip code for Watertown is 06795. It is a suburb of Waterbury. It borders the towns of Woodbury, Middlebury, Litchfield, Plymouth, Bethlehem, and Thomaston.-Founding History:More...
External links
Specific to this trail:Government Links:
- State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Forestry Division Letterboxing Clues for Mattatuck State Forest
- Town of Watertown Website
Leatherman: