Trolley Car
A pair of letterboxes on a town-sponsored masterpiece overlooking the
incredible Thimble Islands in Branford, CT. This hike covers an easy
shoreside 1.5 miles with a small climb and an option for a fine
stroll into a divine village for Sunday cappuccino.

Directions: On I95 in Branford, take exit 56 and head south 1.4 miles
on Leetes Island Road towards Stony Creek. Turn right on Rte. 146 for
1.2 miles, where the road makes a double-left towards Pine Orchard.
These two beach communities used to be connected by a trolley, now
converted to a splendid rail-trail. After your double-lefting, pass
over and under railroad tracks for 0.6 miles to bear left on Totoket
Rd. In 0.4 miles, after passing through a golf course, take your
first left on an unmarked road with a Tilton 190 sign. Miss the turn
and go a bit too far and you'll see Juniper Point Rd. Park near the
big concrete blocks with the locals.

Rail trailing: In the northeast corner of the parking lot, head east
over the tracks with the white blazes for an east to west out-and-
back hike with a couple of spurs to the letterboxes. Follow the
boardwalk over salt marshes with lots of birds and fiddler crabs.
Regaining land, the official white blazed trail turns left. We'll
turn right, south, on a fainter unmarked trail that weaves down to
the marshes. You'll cross a boulder strewn brook on the way: there
are several faint side trails, but if you head generally south you'll
soon reach a stone wall. Just beyond is a large smoothly rounded
outcropping, wonderfully splint by a maple. In the slot behind the
maple, find the Thimble View Letterbox. Visit 50 yards south to a
lovely smooth viewing spot.

Return to the main rail trail and continue east. Pass under a road
bridge and out to enjoy the trestle bridge, a delight for children. A
short way further is Stony Creek, a wonderful refreshment stop.
Heading back, turn north at #8 on the white blazed loop trail, which
climbs gently and curves first west, crosses a residential street,
and then bends south to an absolutely stunning overlook with a
monument. At the 3-way junction by the overlook, you'll find a rooty
oak tree a step off trail at bearing 130 degrees. Behind that is a
low smooth shard of granite that is "picked up" on the south side.
The Trolley Car Letterbox is under a larger than usual trap door in
the southeast corner.

Continue down the white trail to regain the Trolley Trail, turning
right (if you must) back to civilization.