Thank you to the anonymous helpers who cleared the Tulip tree that was blown down during the wind storm and blocked the new entrance to the Chatfield Trail on Paper Mill Road in Killingworth. The new entrance is now accessible. During the summer volunteers renewed the blue rectangular blazes so the entire trail is clearly marked including this entance at the guard rail near the bridge. The Chatfield Trail is part of the 825+ miles of Blue-Blazed trails system managed by the member-run Connecticut Forest and Park Association and is mantained by volunteers. This section of the Chatfield Trail goes through private property whose owners hope you enjoy this single-use trail for hikers. The older trail entrance was no longer needed when the trail was rerouted by CFPA to the south side of the river. It has been closed due to erosion of the stream bank that is in the process of being restored. Use the new entrance so that the erosion-control plants will have the chance to grow. The barriers at the closed entrance are to protect the plants and other erosion-control measures, so please avoid this area and stay on the blue-blazed trail.
Enjoy hiking in the woods! They can be beautiful in the winter when you may see the graceful and intricate patterns made by the bare tree branches, the well camouflaged owl drowsing high up in the pines, and the flash of red of the crest of a woodpecker as it wings overhead. Can you spot the owl in the photo above that was taken on the Chatfield Trail a few days ago?
