TA Report: Naugatuck Forest

A wet spot on the Brooksvale Road with a dry bypass around it.

Date of Activity: Dec. 5, 2010
Location: Naugatuck State Forest, Hamden
Condition of Trails(s): Mostly solid, but the low spots were iced over

Observations: The low spots in various places, particularly near the new bridge on the White Trail at Brooksvale Stream at iced over. There was LOTS of deadfall along the trails. There are several places along the White Trail where users have created a bypass around washed out sections. When I reblazed the trail this summer, I made a point of throwing some brush across the entrance to the washed out trail to better direct people onto the bypass trail. In all areas, users have removed the brush. 

Fresh blazes clarify the White Trail on a tree
under two signs that have provided guidance to bikers
and hikers alike for many years.

I believe the orginal trail should be abandoned in these areas and left to grow over and heal. If you see a blocked off trail, respect the redirect and use that for the better health of the forest. A map of the property may be found at the DEP website. Remember that mountain bikes are not permitted on the Blue-Blazed Quinnipiac Trail, or the Blue-Red Quinnipiac Connector Trail.

An unknown volunteer built this bridge on the Brooksvale Trail
over Brooksvale Stream this summer.
The area beyond the bridge is wet and icy at the moment.

http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/stateparks/maps/naugatuckmtsanford.pdf

Encounters: None on this cold December day.
Trail Ambassador Name: Tom Ebersold
Trail Ambassador Email: bikehikekayak {at} sbcglobal {dot} net
Town: Hamden
Trail(s) Walked: Cromie Road, Brooksvale Road, Brooksvale Trail and some unmarked trails
How did you use the trail: Hike
What was the time of day: noon to 2:30 p.m.
Duration (Hours): 2.5 hours
Distance (Miles): 6 miles
Work Performed: I tossed lots of deadfall to the side of the trail, seemingly every 50 feet there was a small to medium branch on the trail, or partially blocking it.