CHATFIELD TRAIL LOOP

3 boxes placed on the Chatfield Trail in Killingworth, CT.
Placed by Bluebird on July 14, 2002.
Moderate, some challenging, terrain on a one-hour loop through
beautiful Connecticut woodlands.

Directions: This blue trail begins on Route 80 in Killingworth, CT.
Parking is 8/10 mile beyond Chestnut Hill Road, on the right, if
coming in from the 79/80 circle in North Madison. It is well
marked by a blue oval. The parking and trail will be on your left if
you come in from the east, from the 81/80 circle in Killingworth.
In that case it will be just beyond Chatfield Hollow State Park
(look for treasure there!).


Park by the large rocks and head south on the dirt road. Soon
you will see the blue trail on your left; take it! You will loop back
later on the road to this very spot.

Travel down the lovely laurel-lined lane. At the next rock climb, at
about the 10th rock step (blue rectangle will be straight ahead)
look to the right. Take 6 steps to the right and find the Rock
Climb letterbox under the west side of an angled rock. Your first
box in less than 10 minutes!

Continue up and over the big bald spot, then descend. There will
be a cute cliff on your right. Next comes a big boulder bonanza
on the trail. Soon see a tilted rock on our left. Look behind from
the south to find the Tilted Rock letterbox. Re-hide carefully so it
is not seen in non-leafy seasons. That took just another 10
minutes!

You will see lots of beauty before the third box. Foster's Pond will
be lingering on the left for a while. You will pass through fern
frond fields. There will be an area of spindly stick trees. There
are quaint cliffs to climb and lovely laurel to note. See the boldly
balanced boulders? Stay on blue. Have fun in the squishy
squeezes through rock passages.

Continue until the trail comes to a T. Blue goes left; you go right,
on the unmarked trail (it is fairly wide and road-like in spots).
Eventually sights and sounds will clue you in that the end is
near. You will note a blow-down on the left, and a large rock and
two birch trees (Butterfly, I hope I'm right!) next to it. Look under
the north edge of the boulder for the Chatfield Loop letterbox.
Straight on to home! Wasn't that a well-spent hour on this
Chatfield circuit?

Please read the disclaimer before you set out.