| Retired Aug 04 Background: Hoffman Evergreen Preserve is part of the Avalonia Land Conservancy and contains almost 7 miles of hiking trails. It is beautifully forested with smooth paths through groves of pine, beech, larch, and hemlock and lots of stone walls. It includes an historic cemetery and a picturesque pond. Surprisingly (for southern New England) there are no ledges or large rocks on the trails but there are sections that can get distinctly muddy. Though the Preserve is enjoyable at anytime of year its proximity to Clyde's Cider Mill during cider season makes it a must-do for families with kids during that period. Difficulty: Fairly easy. This is a rolly, approximately 3-mile round trip loop with a well-marked trail system. Pick up the map, if available. Make sure that you stay on the clearly marked trails as you near the perimeter or you can end up wandering off on one of several trails that lead out of the Preserve. Directions: Hoffman is on the west side of Rt 201, approximately 1.5 miles north of Rt 184 and .4 miles before the North Stonington town line. The entrance is small and marked by a sign and gate in the midst of a stone wall. After parking stop and pick up a map from the box. Keep your eyes peeled and your butterfly net handy for there is a swallowtail butterfly flitting among the trails waiting to be captured. Enter at the preserve sign and get a map from the box there. In a few steps turn left (SW) on the blue trail. At intersection 10 go left (SSE) on the yellow trail. After several twists and turns, the yellow trail takes a sharp turn to the right and there is a stone wall straight ahead. From the curving path follow the curving wall for 22 paces at 300 degrees to a double oak tree. Look low on the curve (before the widowmaker) and find the "Egg." Continue on the yellow trail through the wall to intersection 9, go west to intersection 8, and then go straight onto the blue trail. After passing the path to the Bennet graveyard, you will come to Pine Circle. Go CCW on the circle trail. At first big turn look for one of the largest beech trees you have ever seen (worthy of the Drew's notable tree series) and take 5 big paces beyond it along the stone wall. Look under the wall for the "Larva." Go back to the blue trail and go left. Beyond intersection 6 you will see a pond on the right with a spillway over the trail. Just beyond is intersection 5. From the sign for intersection 5, continue on the path for 18 paces. Turn right and bushwhack, keeping the fallen & rotting tree on your left, until you approach the edge of the pond. Spot an old, decrepit birdhouse hanging in a tree and look for "Chrysalis" within the pond side of that tree. Use the map to choose an enjoyable route (hint: they are all enjoyable!) back to your car. Note: The DrewClan's Evergreen series is also located at this spot. Before setting out read the disclaimer. LBNA Homepage Kurdziel Family Letterboxing Homepage |
| Metamorphosis (3) Hoffman Evergreen Preserve Stonington, CT |