Mattatuck State Forest
Encyclopedia
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 largest section of the forest is located about 1 miles (1.6 km) north of Waterbury.
A popular rock climbing area, Whitestone, is within the largest section of forest just east of the Naugatuck River. Top-roping techniques are used for heights of about 50 feet (15.2 m). Trail access is from South Street.
Even though hiking is a favorite activity in Mattatuck State Forest, trail maps are scarce and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection does not publish a trail map for public use.
Maps and descriptions of the Blue-Blazed Trails
in the forest are available in the Connecticut Walk Book West, published by the [Connecticut Forest and Parks Association].
Trails in the forest on the west side of Route 8 include the following:
The 3.4-mile Jericho Trail
, which runs from Echo Lake Road in Watertown to the junction of the Mattatuck Trail, just west of Crane's Overlook and the Leatherman's Cave.
Most of the 0.8-mile Branch Brook Trail is located in the forest, south of Reynolds Bridge Road in the town of Watertown.
Trails in the forest on the east side of Route 8 include the following:
The 2.8-mile Hancock Brook Trail
, which parallels the Waterbury Branch
of Metro North
.
The 1.7-mile Whitestone Cliffs Trail
, located off Connecticut Route 262
.
The following trails are located on both sides of Connecticut Route 8:
The 1.6-mile long Jericho-Whitestone Connector runs from Connecticut Route 262
to the Whitestone Cliffs Trail
on the east side of Connecticut Route 8 in the towns of Thomaston and Plymouth. The Jericho-Whitestone Connector enters the forest north of the powerlines near Echo Lake Road in Watertown where it ends at the Jericho Trail
.
The Mattatuck Trail traverses several blocks of the forest:
In Plymouth, on the east side of Connecticut Route 8, the trail passes along an isolated block of the forest south of Scott Road, and another section south of Lake Plymouth extending to Mount Tobe Road.
In Thomaston, on the east side of Connecticut Route 8, from Carter Road to Waterbury Road.
In Watertown, on the west side of Connecticut Route 8, the trail passes by the highway, just south of Reynolds Bridge Road and extends to Bidwell Hill Road, where the trail enters the Black Rock State Park
.
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...
to the south, East Litchfield, Connecticut to the north, Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol, Connecticut
Bristol is a suburban city located in Hartford County, Connecticut, United States southwest of Hartford. According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 61,353. Bristol is primarily known as the home of ESPN, whose central studios are in the city. Bristol is also home to...
to the East, and Bethlehem, Connecticut
Bethlehem, Connecticut
Bethlehem is a town in Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 3,422 at the 2000 census. The town center was designated in the 2000 census as a census-designated place ....
to the west. 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...
runs through a portion of the forest. The largest section of the forest is located about 1 miles (1.6 km) north of Waterbury.
A popular rock climbing area, Whitestone, is within the largest section of forest just east of the Naugatuck River. Top-roping techniques are used for heights of about 50 feet (15.2 m). Trail access is from South Street.
Even though hiking is a favorite activity in Mattatuck State Forest, trail maps are scarce and the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection does not publish a trail map for public use.
Maps and descriptions of the Blue-Blazed Trails
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...
in the forest are available in the Connecticut Walk Book West, published by the [Connecticut Forest and Parks Association].
Trails in the forest on the west side of Route 8 include the following:
The 3.4-mile Jericho Trail
Jericho Trail
The is a 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...
, which runs from Echo Lake Road in Watertown to the junction of the Mattatuck Trail, just west of Crane's Overlook and the Leatherman's Cave.
Most of the 0.8-mile Branch Brook Trail is located in the forest, south of Reynolds Bridge Road in the town of Watertown.
Trails in the forest on the east side of Route 8 include the following:
The 2.8-mile Hancock Brook Trail
Hancock Brook Trail
The is a 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...
, which parallels the Waterbury Branch
Waterbury Branch
Metro-North Railroad's Waterbury Branch is a branch of the New Haven Line, running north from a junction east of Stratford to Waterbury. Originally built as the Naugatuck Railroad, it once continued north to Winsted...
of Metro North
Metro north
Metro North can refer to either of* Metro-North Railroad, a commuter railroad serving parts of New York and Connecticut in the United States* Dublin Metro#Metro North, a branch of the proposed Dublin Metro, in Dublin, Ireland...
.
The 1.7-mile 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...
, located off Connecticut Route 262
Connecticut Route 262
Route 262 is a state highway in west central Connecticut running in a "U" pattern from Watertown to Plymouth.-Route description:Route 262 begins at an intersection with US 6 in Watertown. It heads southeast and east to Route 8, turning north and intersecting Route 8 at two successive exits before...
.
The following trails are located on both sides of Connecticut Route 8:
The 1.6-mile long Jericho-Whitestone Connector runs from Connecticut Route 262
Connecticut Route 262
Route 262 is a state highway in west central Connecticut running in a "U" pattern from Watertown to Plymouth.-Route description:Route 262 begins at an intersection with US 6 in Watertown. It heads southeast and east to Route 8, turning north and intersecting Route 8 at two successive exits before...
to 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...
on the east side of Connecticut Route 8 in the towns of Thomaston and Plymouth. The Jericho-Whitestone Connector enters the forest north of the powerlines near Echo Lake Road in Watertown where it ends at the Jericho Trail
Jericho Trail
The is a 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 Mattatuck Trail traverses several blocks of the forest:
In Plymouth, on the east side of Connecticut Route 8, the trail passes along an isolated block of the forest south of Scott Road, and another section south of Lake Plymouth extending to Mount Tobe Road.
In Thomaston, on the east side of Connecticut Route 8, from Carter Road to Waterbury Road.
In Watertown, on the west side of Connecticut Route 8, the trail passes by the highway, just south of Reynolds Bridge Road and extends to Bidwell Hill Road, where the trail enters the 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...
.
External links
- Letterboxing in Mattatuck State Forest
- http://www.ctwoodlands.org/