On the Leathermans Trail

2 boxes placed Nov. 24, 2001
by Aili & Bruce
Moderate-plus, about 2+ hours.

Mattatuck TrailMap 21 in the Blue BookThomaston, CT (Litchfield County)

Getting There: From Route 8 to Route 6 West, pass Black Rock SP entrance. Watch for blue oval sign and roadside parking where trail crosses Route 6.  Hunting is allowed in this area, wear orange in the fall. Hike covers a lot of bare rock which is slippery when wet or snowy, so use caution and allow extra time. It's a beautiful walk in every season.

Cross to East side of Route 6 and enter trail. Follow Blue-blazed Mattatuck trail, uphill and across the first few of several ledges with views.

On one of these ledges, look for a slab of rock resting on the trail which contains a football-sized quartz inclusion [this may be easier to spot on the way back]. Standing on the slabs upper-most point, take 2 steps in the direction of 55° to a small cluster of oak, elm and laurel. Just under your feet you will find the Chunk o Quartz letterbox tucked under the rocks edge.

Continue on Blue Trail, which meets with and overlaps the yellow-blazed Jericho Trail. Stay with the Blue blazes, up to Cranes Lookout. Here the trail does a kind of u-turn, almost paralleling itself before going below the Lookout to the Leathermans Cave. The Trail actually passes through the Cave. Just after your exit, go to the right. Before the tipped tree, look to the right and find the Old Leatherman sleeping under some rocks on the shelf, sheltered by the ledge.