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 Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 5:27 pm Post subject: |
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Mattabesett and Metacomet Trail Camping
Even though the Connecticut Forest and Park Association has not established designated camping areas along the Mattabesett and Metacomet Trails, some of the private landowners may give special permission for “Leave-No-Trace” camping. If permission is granted, this is best done at least 100 feet from the trail. Permission does not guarantee a safe or satisfactory camping area and water is often difficult to find. Fires are also nearly universally prohibited and all water should be purified before drinking.
Connecticut Explorer’s Guide spent several months researching into the camping problem. To find out if camping could be permitted through special permission, CTXGuide contacted dozens of public and private landowners. Many of the private land has strict no-camping policies, as does all State land. However, CTXGuide did receive special permission for camping from some of the landowners. The following list of landowners gave us permission to camp and may be used to contact the landowners for permission. Even though CTXGuide was granted permission, this does not mean that all requests will be granted with permission. It would be best to request permission for small groups that will be utilizing Leave-No-Trace backpacking ethics and to avoid open fires. It is also required by most landowners to give the exact date and location for camping.
For more information on Leave-No-Trace, follow this link: http://www.usscouts.org/advance/LeaveNoTrace.asp
Good Luck!
Mattabesett Landowners (Approximate mileage begins at the Connecticut River power plant in Middletown at the eastern terminus of the trail.)
Mile 10: Contact Haddam Land Trust to camp within the Nedobity Preserve on Nedobity Road in Higganum between 7 Falls and Miller’s Pond. See this link for a map: http://www.hltrust.org/nedobity.htm . There may not be water within this area, so fill-up extra bottles along the waters of 7 Falls. Email: hlt_webmaster@hltrust.org
Mile 20: Contact Middlesex Land Trust. There is a pond east of the Mica Ledges just after you pass the property intersect of Durham, Guilford and Madison (find the stack of rocks). A red blazed trail leaves the blue trail to the east perhaps 50 yards past the rocks and leads to the pond. The east side of the pond is well used but is usually in good shape. See Map: http://www.middlesexlandtrust.org/images/mica.jpg . Email: info@middlesexlandtrust.org
Mile 21.5: Permission only for a non-profit youth organization such as the Boy Scouts. Contact the Town of Madison Beach and Recreation to camp within Rockland Preserve along Coan Pond. Email: erskinesa@madisonct.org
Mile 25: Contact the Town of Guilford to camp along the north shore of Lake Quonnipaug about1/3 mile south of trail along RT 77. Email: maynardr@ci.guilford.ct.us
Mile 32: The Cattail Shelter near the junction of RT 68 is the only designated camping location along the Mattabesett Trail. Potable water is scarce along this section. It is highly recommended to fill-up several extra water bottles (about 3-4 liters) from Lake Quonnipaug.
Mile 36: Contact the Town of Middlefield for permission to camp within the King Property along Beseck Mountain. You will come across several obvious sites where others have camped. The King Property is directly west of the south end of Beseck Lake along the top of the ridge. Be careful to stay away from Powder Ridge Ski area property which starts where the King property ends. The Powder Ridge property has been recently logged off so it has some slash and brush piles. The King property is totally wooded. The best locator of the King property is the cell site at the northern boundary. The property then extends toward the south from the cell site. An extended side trip down the steep ridge to Beseck Lake may be needed to find potable water. Email: tom.selectman@sbcglobal.net
Mile 40: Contact The Nature Conservancy of Connecticut to camp within their Higby Mountain Preserve along the top of Mount Higby. Special permission is nearly impossible. If granted, it requires signing a one-time contract vs damage to plants and animals. This is very difficult to obtain, but the view may be worth it. This area is also very dry without potable water, a lightning risk, and with dangerous cliffs. An extended side trip down the steep ridge to the source waters of Adder Reservoir may be required to find potable water. There is also a popular diner located adjacent to the trail along RT 66 that may be willing to fill up your bottles. Email: ct@tnc.org
Mile 44: Contact the operators of Giuffrida Park along the waters of Bradley-Hubbard Reservoir near Lamentation Mountain. They may give permission to camp within the park not far from the lake. This could be just a short side trip from the trail (less than a half-mile). Call: 203-630-4259
Mile 47: Contact the Berlin Land Trust to camp along the top of Lamentation Mountain. Their property can be found along the northern end within the Middletown and Berlin area. Contact Form Page: http://www.berlinlandtrust.org/aboutus/contactusform.html
Metacomet Landowners (Approximate mileage begins at the southern terminus of the trail at the junction of Orchard and Kensington Roads. The distances between potential camping areas is much greater along the Metacomet Trail VS the Mattabesett Trail.)
Mile 0: Contact the Berlin Land Trust to camp along their Crooked Brook property within a quarter mile of the trailhead. Potable water may or may not be found within this area. Extra bottles could be brought in; but for those hiking south, an extended trip to Silver Lake may be needed to find water. Contact Form Page: http://www.berlinlandtrust.org/aboutus/contactusform.html
Mile 11: Contact the Berlin Land Trust to camp within their Ragged Mountain property. There are 55 acres running along the top of the cliffs. Lightning is always a danger and water is scarce. Potable water may or may not be found along a small stream crossing just west of Hart Ponds. It may be wise to fill extra bottles at Hallmere Reservoir just south of the trail near Edgewood Road. Contact Form Page: http://www.berlinlandtrust.org/aboutus/contactusform.html
Mile 23: Contact the Farmington Town Manager for permission to camp within the Farmington Reservoir Park. The unmarked trail west to the reservoir can be found just south of Poplar Hill Drive (blue-dashed section of trail on CTXGuide map). Call: 860-675-2350
Mile 40.5: Contact the Town of Simsbury Park & Rec for permission to camp within Tariffville Park along the Farmington River. This can be found in Tariffville, CT along the northwest end of town just a quarter mile from the trail. There is no fee, but will need to fill out a contract. May build fires upon permission of the fire martial. At 17.5 miles from the last camping area, this is the longest stretch of hiking and should be considered by only the most athletic and conditioned backpackers. Additionally, Talcott Mountain Science Center owns property very close to the Metacomet Trail just south of Hoe Pond and Talcott Mountain State Park about 10.5 miles from Farmington Reservoir Park. Even though we had not received a reply when requesting permission to camp, this does not mean that this is not a possibility. Offering a small donation to their program may help. Email: gtoner@simsbury-ct.gov
Mile 44.5: Contact the East Granby Land Trust to camp along the southern end of Peak Mountain ridge. This property is about a half-mile north of RT 20. Permission to camp is only given with inspection of campsite. Email: jjdippel@sbcglobal.net
Mile 48: Contact the Suffield Land Conservancy to camp within their property. It can be found directly east of the trailhead across route 168. There is most likely no water available on the property, but a side trip a half-mile south to Whites Pond will be suitable. The trail continues along roads through Connecticut to Massachusetts. Email: Lstangardn@aol.com
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