Exploring Fairfield Hills in the Snow

(Submitted by Paula Burton)

Newtown provides a wealth of opportunities for outdoors exploration and recreation. One of my favorite places is Fairfield Hills, which during the winter is a special area rich in history and natural areas to explore.

There is something for everyone on this campus of old abandoned buildings, open fields, woodlands, farmlands, an active railroad, and newer developed recreation facilities. Abandoned roads, trails, and paths also crisscross the grounds.

Yes, one can walk along the paved roads, and many people do just that. The traffic is slow and you will only see a few cars.

But getting off those paved roads opens up a winter wonderland. Snowshoes or skis are the best ways to go if there is a snow pack. Traction devices such as stabilizers or micro spikes will help if the trails are icy.

There are many places to park in the town owned part of the facility. I usually park at the end of Keating Farms Road, where a large turn out provides parking for a number of cars. A large sign welcomes users to the "Newtown Walking Trails." 

For skiing and snowshoeing, I usually start up the hill and then head to the fields. The way up is through a paved walking path, but in the winter can be covered with snow or ice.

If I have more time, I can circumnavigate the area by cutting across the soccer fields, cross Keating Farms Road at the four way intersection, ski through the area used for the farmers market in the summer, and then ski behind the old houses.

Crossing the road again, I then ski by a small pavilion used by the baseball league, and into the woods behind Newtown Youth Academy if there is enough cover in the woods.

The remains of an old ropes course are in the woods. This year there has been plenty of snow, so having enough base to ski has not been an issue. If it is not possible to ski in the woods, I take the skis off and walk up the access road to the square reservoirs.

After the first storm this winter, and before the access road was plowed, the drifts were 6 feet deep around the reservoirs. Once on top of the hill, the Bunker Hill Loop can be skied for a lovely sojourn through open woods.

Late in the day the shadows and waning light create a special experience. A large herd of dark colored small sized deer lives in those woods, and if I am quiet, I see them run by.

I see other snowshoe tracks, and then realize it is a deer path in the deep snow. Winter has been tough on the deer and I can see where the deer paw through the snow to find food.

Now I can continue in the woods, but it becomes steeper and requires good powdery snow and excellent skiing skills. But today I decide to head into the fields. The light creates an alpine glow as the sun sets, and I can see a wide view of the buildings below.

I cut through the woods again and ski in the two lower fields. The lowest field is also known as Yahoo Hill to the equestrians, and due to a more northerly exposure, keeps more snow. I practice a few tele mark turns (so named for the "S" marks made by the turns) and then head back to the car on what remains of the old Mile Hill Road. 

I am lucky to live in a town that has access to such an unusual and interesting place to explore. And while this had been a tough winter, getting out for an afternoon to experience the snow, woods, fields, and wildlife, makes me think winter isn't so bad after all.