NEPAUG RESERVOIR NORTH LETTERBOX:
CANTON, CONNECTICUT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Planted: September 24, 2003
Length: North trail; 1 mile To Letterbox; 0.6 miles
South trail; 1.9 miles
Collinsville on-road loop; 3 miles
Difficulty: North trail. Easy. Flat, paved old road.
South trail. Moderate. Old, hilly paved road (broken up in places).
Directions:
Take exit 39 off of I-84 to Route 4 west. Follow Route 4 to the intersection of Route 179 north and take Route 179 north.
For the Nepaug Reservoir South Trail; Just
a short distance up Route 179 will be a left hand turn for
For the Nepaug Reservoir North Trail;
Take Route 179 north through
The Nepaug Reservoir was constructed
between 1911 and 1916 and is managed by the MDC {Metropolitan District
Commission) to supply water for the
South Trail;
As you head past the yellow gate, you'll be going slightly downhill to start.
The trail is an old road that is broken up in spots. As you head down the road
keep an eye to your right to spot some tall Larch
trees. These conifers are the only type that looses their needles in the fall,
the same way deciduous trees loose their leaves every fall. Just past the Larch trees will be some Norway
Spruce trees. You can distinguish these trees from other Spruce/Fir
trees by looking at the way the branches hang down. It looks as though the
branches are raining down on you. The road levels off and follows the southern
end of the reservoir. After about ¾ of a mile you'll pass by 3 old posts on
your left where a stone culvert passes below. Just past these poles on your
right you'll spot a large quartz boulder. From this boulder you can see the Nepaug
Dam at the northern tip of the reservoir. The road pulls away from the
reservoir and starts up a steep hill at the 1 mile mark. Clear Brook
flows down alongside the road and feeds into the reservoir. There is a stream
gauging station located here. The road ends at another yellow gate at 1.9 miles.
The climb is steep, but the stream is very scenic along the route.
Note;
Back where you parked your car, you can take a short side trip to check out the Phelps
Dam. From the yellow gate, head back down the road you drove up and take a
left at another gate. This road takes you across the dam and ends on the far
side where the road then heads uphill and turns to gravel. It's only a ½ mile
to this point from your car. On the top of the dam you will see some stairs
leading down to the junction of
North Trail; Starting from the eastern end of the trail, pass through the yellow gate and travel down the old road. It's broken up in spots, but is nice and level. This road follows the northern tip of the reservoir. A ½ mile will bring you to the Nepaug Dam. I was impressed with the height of the dam and having visited it after heavy rains, I got quite a show as the water cascaded over the spillway. After admiring the great views, cross over the dam and follow the cement wall on your right to the end. A stone wall continues on your right, but head straight up some cement steps into the woods. Use CAUTION, as the steps are narrow and full of debris. The stairs bring you to a mortared stone wall, possibly an old viewing area of the dam. With your back to the wall, a Hemlock tree will be in front of you. Go to the back side of this tree and spot a large boulder to your right about 6 paces (2 steps = 1 pace) away. From this boulder, head due north 7 paces uphill to a tree stump that has large rocks on both sides. Look past the stump uphill to spot a large two-trunked Hemlock tree. Go around the right side of this tree and remove the two flat rocks leaning against the tree. Under another rock is the Nepaug Reservoir North Letterbox. Please replace all 3 rocks as you found them to help protect the box. The road continues alongside the reservoir, ending at 1 mile next to another gate. This is the parking area alongside Route 202 at the western end of the trail.
The Farmington
River Rail Trail Letterbox is also located in this area. You can do this
trail and the Nepaug North Trail via an on-road loop by starting from the
HH
NORTH LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON
AUGUST 1, 2009
TO EMAIL A VERIFICATION
BEFORE YOU SET OUT BE SURE TO READ THE
WAIVER OF RESPONSIBILITY AND DISCLAIMER
BIKE IT OR HIKE IT LETTERBOXING