Zoar Trail
Encyclopedia
The Zoar Trail is a 6.5 miles (10.5 km) Blue-Blazed
hiking
trail "system" in the lower Housatonic River
valley in Fairfield County
and is entirely in the Sandy Hook section of Newtown
in the lower block of Paugussett State Forest.
The Zoar "Blue-Blazed" loop trail circles the border of the Paugussett State Forest "lower block" as an elongated oval whose length goes from southeast to northwest. The northeast trail section follows the shore of Lake Zoar (the section of the Housatonic River between the Stevenson Dam to the south and the Shepaug Dam to the north) while the southwest trail section roughly follows the Paugussett State Forests inland boundaries.
There are four short side trails which have rectangular blue blazes with yellow dots in the middle.
One side trail crosses from the Lake Zoar shore top east section of the Zoar trail to the west providing a bypass trail during the times of the year when the northernmost section is closed.
Two other side trails are spurs off the southwest corner of the trail loop providing access to parking areas at the end of two suburban cul-de-sacs (Leonard Drive and Paugussett Drive).
The final side trail is a spur which follows Prydden Brook to Prydden Falls were the brook spectacularly splashes over rocks as it empties into Lake Zoar.
The main trail head and parking area is located at the end of Great Quarter Road.
Notable features include a few steep climbs, Prydden Brook, Prydden Falls, and semi-obscured scenic views of Lake Zoar (Housatonic River). The Zoar Trail is maintained largely through the efforts of the Connecticut Forest and Park Association
.
The Zoar Trail is approximately one mile north of the Stevenson Dam. It is possible to walk from the Zoar Trail to the Paugussett
and Pomperaug Trails.
, then follows a route northwest along the western bank of the Housatonic River
until, at the northern-most point, it turns south-east and proceeds roughly south-east back to the terminus at the end of Great Quarter Road.
The Zoar Trail is primarily used for hiking
, backpacking
, picnicking, and in the winter, snowshoe
ing. Portions of the trail are suitable for, and are used for, geocaching
, mountain biking
and cross-country skiing
. Site-specific activities enjoyed along the route include hunting
(very limited), fishing
, horseback riding, bouldering
and rock climbing
(access).
primarily parallels the Housatonic River
on the high western bank and ridge running south to north.
The Zoar Trail traverses several high points with scenic views of the Housatonic River
though they may be obscured by foliage, particularly in the summer.
Several year-round and seasonal streams cut across the trail to flow into the Housatonic River
including Prydden Brook.
By adding reasonably short road walks the Zoar Trail is considered part of the larger Lake Zoar
Blue-Blazed Trails which span both the west and east banks of Lake Zoar
. The Kettletown State Park trails can be reached via a road walk by following Connecticut Route 34
east over the Stevenson Dam, then following Copper Mine Road to Freeman Road to Fiddlehead Road.
Zoar Trail in lower Paugussett State Forest can be reached via a road walk by following Connecticut Route 34
west to Great Quarter Road (just over the Newtown
border).
There are old dirt roads trails in the lower block of Paugussett State Forest which cross and connect with the Zoar Trail including the abandoned road which used to lead to the town of Zoar which is now under Lake Zoar.
was the name of a city in the Old Testament in the land of Canaan on the Jordan plain alongside the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim. It was said to have been spared the destruction of those cities in order to protect Lot.
Lake Zoar takes its name from the community which was named Zoar in Connecticut which was evacuated before the Housatonic River was dammed at the Stevenson Dam (and Zoar was flooded) in 1919.
The Zoar Trail is named for the lake and submerged community.
The remains of the road to Zoar cross the Zoar trail today and end at the lake shore.
was created in 1919 by the construction of the Stevenson Dam to produce hydro-electric power and to provide a Housatonic River
vehicle crossing.
Lake Housatonic is the Housatonic River
section south of the Stevenson Dam which parallels the Paugussett Trail which was created by the construction of the Derby Dam (now known as the Lake Housatonic Dam) in October 1870 to provide a river crossing as well as water for nearby industry.
Lake Lillinonah
is the section of the Housatonic north of Lake Zoar. It was created in 1955 by damming the Housatonic River
via the construction of the Shepaug Dam (more precisely called the Shepaug Hydro-Electronic Project, there are two Shepaug Dams—the other one is on the Shepaug River and is owned by the City of Waterbury, Connecticut ) to produce hydro-electric power. The man-made lake was prematurely and accidentally flooded by Hurricane Diane on August 19, 1955 a few weeks before the dam was scheduled to commence operation. The lake was drained and refilled again beginning on September 27, 1955 by closing the gates on the new dam.
In 1985 Shepaug Dam owners opened a free public observation site in Southbury, Connecticut near the hydroelectric generation plant for viewing Lake Lillinonah's Bald Eagles (and other predatory bird species such as hawks). Reservations are required and the season is limited to the last weekend in December until March 17 on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
There are also eagles, hawks and other predatory birds which nest along Lake Zoar.
The Pootatuck (often spelled Pohtatuck in colonial era documents and related to the name Potatuck
) were a branch of the Paugussett tribe who lived in Woodbury, Southbury and Newtown.
The European settlers found Pootatuck native Americans living along the Housatonic and Pootatuck Rivers near the Sandy Hook area of Newtown, Connecticut (an area which was called "Pohtatuck" before the name was changed to "Sandy Hook"). Newtown, known as Quanneapague, was purchased from the Pohtatuck in 1705 and incorporated as a town in 1711. Most of the original settlers were farmers from Stratford and Milford, Connecticut.
The Paugussett were an Algonquian
-speaking native American tribe and sachem
dom existing in southwestern Connecticut in the 17th century.
Paugussett villages existed throughout southwestern Connecticut in Bridgeport
, Trumbull
, Stratford
, Shelton
, Monroe
and Oxford
in Fairfield County
as well as in what is now Milford
, Orange
, Woodbridge
, Beacon Falls
, Derby
and Naugatuck
in New Haven County, Connecticut
. Derby Connecticut was once known as "Paugussett" before it was renamed in 1675.
While the Pootatuck branch has largely vanished, descendants of the southeast Fairfield County
Connecticut
branch of the Paugussett tribe (known as the "Golden Hill" Paugussetts) today have a reservation in Colchester
Connecticut
(New London County
) as well as a small land holding in the Nichols section of Stratford
, Connecticut
.
For more information on the Paugussett native-Americans ("American Indians") see the Wikipedia entry on the Paugussett as well as the Golden Hill Paugussett website.
Much of the Zoar Trail is close to public roads. There are no camping facilities in lower Paugussett State Forest along the trail and camping is prohibited in lower Paugussett State Forest. 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 Association
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.
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 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 heads and parking are close to residential areas.
A very small part of the trail is adjacent to, or is on lands where hunting and the use of firearms are permitted. Wearing bright orange clothing during the hunting season (Fall through December) is recommended.
State and Municipal Government Websites:
History:
Land Trust / Conservation Preserve Organizations:
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 "system" in the lower Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
valley in Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
and is entirely in the Sandy Hook section of Newtown
Newtown, Connecticut
Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 27,560 at the 2010 census. Newtown was founded in 1705 and incorporated in 1711.-Government:...
in the lower block of Paugussett State Forest.
The Zoar "Blue-Blazed" loop trail circles the border of the Paugussett State Forest "lower block" as an elongated oval whose length goes from southeast to northwest. The northeast trail section follows the shore of Lake Zoar (the section of the Housatonic River between the Stevenson Dam to the south and the Shepaug Dam to the north) while the southwest trail section roughly follows the Paugussett State Forests inland boundaries.
There are four short side trails which have rectangular blue blazes with yellow dots in the middle.
One side trail crosses from the Lake Zoar shore top east section of the Zoar trail to the west providing a bypass trail during the times of the year when the northernmost section is closed.
Two other side trails are spurs off the southwest corner of the trail loop providing access to parking areas at the end of two suburban cul-de-sacs (Leonard Drive and Paugussett Drive).
The final side trail is a spur which follows Prydden Brook to Prydden Falls were the brook spectacularly splashes over rocks as it empties into Lake Zoar.
The main trail head and parking area is located at the end of Great Quarter Road.
Notable features include a few steep climbs, Prydden Brook, Prydden Falls, and semi-obscured scenic views of Lake Zoar (Housatonic River). The Zoar 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...
.
The Zoar Trail is approximately one mile north of the Stevenson Dam. It is possible to walk from the Zoar Trail to the Paugussett
Paugussett Trail
The Paugussett Trail is a Blue-Blazed hiking trail "system" in the lower Housatonic River valley in Fairfield County and, today, is entirely in Shelton and Monroe, Connecticut. Much of the trail is in Indian Well State Park and the Town of Monroe's Webb Mountain Park...
and Pomperaug Trails.
Trail description
The Zoar Trail extends from its southern terminus at the end of Great Quarter Road in Paugussett State Forest in NewtownNewtown, Connecticut
Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 27,560 at the 2010 census. Newtown was founded in 1705 and incorporated in 1711.-Government:...
, then follows a route northwest along the western bank of the Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
until, at the northern-most point, it turns south-east and proceeds roughly south-east back to the terminus at the end of Great Quarter Road.
The Zoar Trail is primarily used for 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...
, backpacking
Backpacking (wilderness)
Backpacking combines the activities of hiking and camping for an overnight stay in backcountry wilderness...
, picnicking, 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, 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....
, mountain biking
Mountain biking
Mountain biking is a sport which consists of riding bicycles off-road, often over rough terrain, using specially adapted mountain bikes. Mountain bikes share similarities with other bikes, but incorporate features designed to enhance durability and performance in rough terrain.Mountain biking can...
and 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...
. Site-specific activities enjoyed along the route include 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...
(access).
Trail route
The Zoar Trail loop in NewtownNewtown, Connecticut
Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 27,560 at the 2010 census. Newtown was founded in 1705 and incorporated in 1711.-Government:...
primarily parallels the Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
on the high western bank and ridge running south to north.
The Zoar Trail traverses several high points with scenic views of the Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
though they may be obscured by foliage, particularly in the summer.
Several year-round and seasonal streams cut across the trail to flow into the Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
including Prydden Brook.
By adding reasonably short road walks the Zoar Trail is considered part of the larger Lake Zoar
Lake Zoar
Lake Zoar is a reservoir on the Housatonic River in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is formed by Stevenson Dam. The towns of Monroe, Newtown, Oxford, and Southbury border Lake Zoar.-Lake Zoar Authority:...
Blue-Blazed Trails which span both the west and east banks of Lake Zoar
Lake Zoar
Lake Zoar is a reservoir on the Housatonic River in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is formed by Stevenson Dam. The towns of Monroe, Newtown, Oxford, and Southbury border Lake Zoar.-Lake Zoar Authority:...
. The Kettletown State Park trails can be reached via a road walk by following Connecticut Route 34
Route 34 (Connecticut)
Route 34 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Route 34 is long, and extends from Washington Street near I-84/US 6 in Newtown to the junction of I-95 and I-91 in New Haven. The highways connects the New Haven and Danbury areas via the Lower Naugatuck River Valley...
east over the Stevenson Dam, then following Copper Mine Road to Freeman Road to Fiddlehead Road.
Zoar Trail in lower Paugussett State Forest can be reached via a road walk by following Connecticut Route 34
Route 34 (Connecticut)
Route 34 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Route 34 is long, and extends from Washington Street near I-84/US 6 in Newtown to the junction of I-95 and I-91 in New Haven. The highways connects the New Haven and Danbury areas via the Lower Naugatuck River Valley...
west to Great Quarter Road (just over the Newtown
Newtown, Connecticut
Newtown is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 27,560 at the 2010 census. Newtown was founded in 1705 and incorporated in 1711.-Government:...
border).
There are old dirt roads trails in the lower block of Paugussett State Forest which cross and connect with the Zoar Trail including the abandoned road which used to lead to the town of Zoar which is now under Lake Zoar.
Trail communities
The Blue-Blazed Zoar Trail is entirely within the Sandy Hook section of Newtown, Connecticut.Origin and name
ZoarZoara
Zoara, the biblical Zoar, previously called Bela, was one of the five cities of the plain of Jordan in Genesis in the Tanakh or Old Testament, which escaped the "brimstone and fire" which destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, for having sheltered Lot and his daughters...
was the name of a city in the Old Testament in the land of Canaan on the Jordan plain alongside the cities of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim. It was said to have been spared the destruction of those cities in order to protect Lot.
Lake Zoar takes its name from the community which was named Zoar in Connecticut which was evacuated before the Housatonic River was dammed at the Stevenson Dam (and Zoar was flooded) in 1919.
The Zoar Trail is named for the lake and submerged community.
The remains of the road to Zoar cross the Zoar trail today and end at the lake shore.
Historic sites
Lake ZoarLake Zoar
Lake Zoar is a reservoir on the Housatonic River in the U.S. state of Connecticut. It is formed by Stevenson Dam. The towns of Monroe, Newtown, Oxford, and Southbury border Lake Zoar.-Lake Zoar Authority:...
was created in 1919 by the construction of the Stevenson Dam to produce hydro-electric power and to provide a Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
vehicle crossing.
Lake Housatonic is the Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
section south of the Stevenson Dam which parallels the Paugussett Trail which was created by the construction of the Derby Dam (now known as the Lake Housatonic Dam) in October 1870 to provide a river crossing as well as water for nearby industry.
Lake Lillinonah
Lake Lillinonah
Lake Lillinonah is located in Fairfield and Litchfield counties of western Connecticut, in the northeastern United States. It is the second largest lake in Connecticut, smaller only than Lake Candlewood. The lake is bordered by six towns: Brookfield, Bridgewater, Newtown, New Milford, Roxbury, and...
is the section of the Housatonic north of Lake Zoar. It was created in 1955 by damming the Housatonic River
Housatonic River
The Housatonic River is a river, approximately long, in western Massachusetts and western Connecticut in the United States. It flows south to southeast, and drains about of southwestern New England into Long Island Sound...
via the construction of the Shepaug Dam (more precisely called the Shepaug Hydro-Electronic Project, there are two Shepaug Dams—the other one is on the Shepaug River and is owned by the City of Waterbury, Connecticut ) to produce hydro-electric power. The man-made lake was prematurely and accidentally flooded by Hurricane Diane on August 19, 1955 a few weeks before the dam was scheduled to commence operation. The lake was drained and refilled again beginning on September 27, 1955 by closing the gates on the new dam.
In 1985 Shepaug Dam owners opened a free public observation site in Southbury, Connecticut near the hydroelectric generation plant for viewing Lake Lillinonah's Bald Eagles (and other predatory bird species such as hawks). Reservations are required and the season is limited to the last weekend in December until March 17 on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.
There are also eagles, hawks and other predatory birds which nest along Lake Zoar.
Folklore
The location of the village occupied by the Pootatuck Indians in the Lake Zoar area is said to have been flooded by the damming of the Housatonic River and the creation of Lake Zoar.The Pootatuck (often spelled Pohtatuck in colonial era documents and related to the name Potatuck
Potatuck
The Potatuck were a Native American tribe that existed during and prior to colonial times in western Connecticut, USA. They were a sub-group of the Paugussett Nation and lived in what is present day Newtown, Woodbury and Southbury...
) were a branch of the Paugussett tribe who lived in Woodbury, Southbury and Newtown.
The European settlers found Pootatuck native Americans living along the Housatonic and Pootatuck Rivers near the Sandy Hook area of Newtown, Connecticut (an area which was called "Pohtatuck" before the name was changed to "Sandy Hook"). Newtown, known as Quanneapague, was purchased from the Pohtatuck in 1705 and incorporated as a town in 1711. Most of the original settlers were farmers from Stratford and Milford, Connecticut.
The Paugussett were an Algonquian
Algonquian languages
The Algonquian languages also Algonkian) are a subfamily of Native American languages which includes most of the languages in the Algic language family. The name of the Algonquian language family is distinguished from the orthographically similar Algonquin dialect of the Ojibwe language, which is a...
-speaking native American tribe and sachem
Sachem
A sachem[p] or sagamore is a paramount chief among the Algonquians or other northeast American tribes. The two words are anglicizations of cognate terms from different Eastern Algonquian languages...
dom existing in southwestern Connecticut in the 17th century.
Paugussett villages existed throughout southwestern Connecticut in Bridgeport
Bridgeport, Connecticut
Bridgeport is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Connecticut. Located in Fairfield County, the city had an estimated population of 144,229 at the 2010 United States Census and is the core of the Greater Bridgeport area...
, Trumbull
Trumbull, Connecticut
Trumbull, a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut in the New England region of the United States, is bordered by the towns of Monroe, Shelton, Stratford, Bridgeport, Fairfield and Easton along Connecticut's Gold Coast. The population was 36,018 according to the 2010 census.Family Circle magazine...
, Stratford
Stratford, Connecticut
Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. It was founded by Puritans in 1639....
, Shelton
Shelton, Connecticut
Shelton is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 39,559 at the 2010 census.-Origins:Shelton was settled by the English as part of the town of Stratford, Connecticut, in 1639...
, Monroe
Monroe, Connecticut
Monroe is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 19,479 at the 2010 census. The current first selectman is Steve Vavrek....
and Oxford
Oxford, Connecticut
Oxford is a town located in western New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,272 at the 2010 Census. There are several areas in Oxford: Quaker Farms, Riverside and Oxford Center. Oxford belongs to the Naugatuck Valley Economic Development Region and the Central...
in Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
as well as in what is now Milford
Milford, Connecticut
Milford is a coastal city in southwestern New Haven County, Connecticut, United States, located between Bridgeport and New Haven. The population was 52,759 at the 2010 census...
, Orange
Orange, Connecticut
Orange is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,233 at the 2000 census. A 2007 Census Bureau estimate puts the population at 13,813. The town is governed by a Board of Selectmen.-History:...
, Woodbridge
Woodbridge, Connecticut
Woodbridge is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 8,983 at the 2000 census. It is one of the wealthiest towns in Connecticut, ranking 16th in the state in terms of per capita income, and is home to many of the faculty of Yale University...
, Beacon Falls
Beacon Falls, Connecticut
Beacon Falls is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 5,246 at the 2000 census. The population increased to 6,049 at the 2010 census. Beacon Falls is also home to the national-known Meteorologist Jim Cantore. Settlers from Derby, Connecticut settled Beacon...
, Derby
Derby, Connecticut
Derby is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 12,391 at the 2000 census. With of land area, Derby is Connecticut's smallest municipality.The city has a Metro-North railroad station called Derby – Shelton.-History:...
and Naugatuck
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Naugatuck is a consolidated borough and town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town spans both sides of the Naugatuck River just south of Waterbury, and includes the communities of Union City on the east side of the river, which has its own post office, Straitsville on the...
in New Haven County, Connecticut
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...
. Derby Connecticut was once known as "Paugussett" before it was renamed in 1675.
While the Pootatuck branch has largely vanished, descendants of the southeast Fairfield County
Fairfield County, Connecticut
Fairfield County is a county located in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The county population is 916,829 according to the 2010 Census. There are currently 1,465 people per square mile in the county. It is the most populous county in the State of Connecticut and contains...
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...
branch of the Paugussett tribe (known as the "Golden Hill" Paugussetts) today have a reservation in Colchester
Colchester, Connecticut
Colchester is a town in New London County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 14,551 at the 2000 census. In 2005 it was ranked 57th on the "100 Best Places to Live" in all of the United States, conducted by CNN...
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...
(New London County
New London County, Connecticut
New London County is a county located in the southeastern corner of the U.S. state of Connecticut. As of 2010 the population was 274,055. The total area of the county is , including inland and coastal waters....
) as well as a small land holding in the Nichols section of Stratford
Stratford, Connecticut
Stratford is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, located on Long Island Sound at the mouth of the Housatonic River. It was founded by Puritans in 1639....
, 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...
.
For more information on the Paugussett native-Americans ("American Indians") see the Wikipedia entry on the Paugussett as well as the Golden Hill Paugussett website.
Hiking the trail
The mainline Zoar trail is blazed with blue rectangles. It is regularly maintained, and is considered easy hiking, with very few sections of rugged and moderately difficult hiking (notably the steep climb at the northern end of the loop where the trail turns inland).Much of the Zoar Trail is close to public roads. There are no camping facilities in lower Paugussett State Forest along the trail and camping is prohibited in lower Paugussett State Forest. 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 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...
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.
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 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 heads and parking are close to residential areas.
A very small part of the trail is adjacent to, or is on lands where hunting and the use of firearms are permitted. Wearing bright orange clothing during the hunting season (Fall through December) is recommended.
External links
Specific to this trail:- CT Museum Quest Article on the Zoar Trail
- CT News: Walk the land of the Pootatuck
- HikeCT webpage on the Zoar Trail
- NewEnglandSite.COM - Lake Zoar and Stevenson Dam
- Topological Map of lower Paugussett State Forest
- Trails.COM page on the Zoar Trail
State and Municipal Government Websites:
- State of Connecticut - Lower Paugussett State Forest Parcel Topological Map
- Town of Newtown, Connecticut
History:
- Newtown Historical Society
- History of Newtown, ConnecticutHistory of Newtown, ConnecticutThe history of Newtown, Connecticut.-To 1800:Newtown Meeting House served as the town's Congregational Church for many years.The town of Newtown, originally known as Quanneapague, was purchased from the Pohtatuck Indians in 1705...
- The Legend of Lake Lillinonah By David E. Philips
- Housatonic Valley Council of Elected Officials - Land Usage Change in Newtown, CT
- Golden Hill Paugussett website
Land Trust / Conservation Preserve Organizations:
- Connecticut Forest and Park Association
- Housatonic Valley Association
- Lake Zoar Authority
- Newtown Forest Association, Inc.