Crimson Mountain Trails – Sharon Land Belief

March 27, 2021 – Sharon, Connecticut

Problem: Reasonable

Size: Roughly 4 miles

Max elevation: 1,302 ft.– whole elevation achieve roughly 768 ft.

Route sort: Double Stem Lollipop Loop

Maps: Crimson Mountain Path System

Trailhead parking: Mary Moore Protect Trailhead – 24 Williams Rd, Sharon, CT 06069

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Overview:

Nestled within the southern foothills of the Berkshires, the topography of Sharon, Connecticut in Litchfield County, is one in every of its most memorable and recognizable options. Starting from hilltops to hollows; its excessive fields and steep hillsides create a range of particular character. Various slopes and terrain enhance the obvious extent of the landscapes. Intricate, inward-oriented hollows lie in distinction to expansive, outward-viewing hilltops and ridgelines.

Crimson Mountain is one in every of 4 principal ridgelines in Sharon which run northeast to southwest. The path system travels over three Sharon Land Belief parcels over the Crimson Mountain Vary.

• Mary Moore Protect ~ 181 acres donated to the Sharon Land Belief in 2013 is on the southwestern attain of the Crimson Mountain Vary adjoining to Beardsley Pond. The parcel consists of upland shrub land, superior meadow, farm pasture, and stream/marsh wetland. The higher meadows and the summit space within the northeastern nook present distinctive views that embody three states and rank among the many greatest viewing positions within the Berkshires. In 2020, the cliff path loop was constructed. It’s a great hike by the higher subject and into the forest, by boulder fields, ravines, previous lovely cliffs and a seasonal stream.
• Wike Brothers Farm ~ 268 acre easement bought by the Sharon Land Belief & the CT Farmland Belief in 2010 & 2014. Funding for the acquisition offered by CT DEEP Open House Grants, Federal Grants, CT Dept. of Agriculture and personal donations. Wike Farm is one in every of Sharon’s oldest household farms supporting grass-fed beef, chickens and pigs. This path system follows the ridge line to attach all parcels.
• Hamlin Farm Protect ~ 259 acres bought with an Open House Grant in 2002 consists of two farm fields however primarily forest that ranges from the sting of the farm fields east to the higher reaches of Crimson Mountain.

Please word: There aren’t any indicators throughout the inside of the preserves indicating if you end up leaving or coming into any of the properties.

There are two entry factors to the path system. The principle entry level is on the Mary Moore Protect on Williams Street the place there’s house for roughly 4 autos. The opposite entry level is on the finish of Stone Home Street, the trailhead for the Hamlin Protect that has a barely bigger parking space.

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Trails Overview:

There are at present over 4 miles of trails all through the three preserves, with extra trails at present being constructed as of March 2021. Beginning on the Mary Moore Protect, the path climbs the southwestern attain of Crimson Mountain, by sloping meadows and second progress forest. The path then traverses the ridgeline to the higher reaches of Crimson Mountain within the Hamlin Protect. Alongside the best way, the path passes what is named the higher meadow affording hikers with gorgeous views of farm fields, hills and mountains on the western horizon. The higher meadows and the summit space within the Mary Moore Protect present distinctive views of the South Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York.

Some extent to level hike from one trailhead to the opposite is roughly 3 miles. An out and again from one trailhead to the opposite is roughly 6.6 miles. A shorter lollipop loop from the Mary Moore Protect trailhead, utilizing the brand new Cliff Loop Extension is roughly 2.5 miles. A easy out and again to the Mary Moore Lookout is about 1.5 miles. The latter two, appear to be the extra most popular routes of tourists searching for a shorter hike with a view.

Though the map exhibits the paths in several colours and names to tell apart them from each other, they’re all blazed white, apart from the newly added Cliff Loop Extension (proven as inexperienced on the map). If climbing your entire path system it’s principally an out and again if beginning at both trailhead or a degree to level when you’ve got a car at every trailhead. The brand new part of path (accomplished in the summertime of 2020) is marked with spherical white discs which have directional arrows within the middle and can be utilized to finish a semi loop.

The Crimson Mountain Path System is managed and maintained by the Sharon Land Belief.

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Hike Overview:

All the time scouring the web for brand spanking new locations to hike, I ran throughout this one on one other climbing weblog. The pictures of the views was sufficient to persuade me to offer it a strive. Though the final viewpoint, is a few 3/4-mile into the hike, the remainder of the hike was value doing as effectively.

The perspective apart, the scenic panorama, the absence of crowds and the effectively marked trails, make for a really pleasing hike by the woods.

This hike begins and ends on the Mary Moore Protect Trailhead the place there’s room for about 4 autos.

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The Hike:

Please Notice: The start of the hike follows the fence line alongside the pasture. The fence is galvanized, hold pets and youngsters away from it. The sphere on the opposite aspect of the fence is a part of the Mary Moore Protect, however it’s actively used for cattle farming. You might even see cows grazing within the pasture and the electrical fence will hold hikers on the appropriate aspect of the path.

To the appropriate of the kiosk observe the white blazes up the hill alongside the fence. You’ll be following the white blazes for your entire hike. Because the path approaches a home, flip left following alongside the electrical fence, persevering with uphill in direction of the woods. Trying to your left, views in direction of Beardsley Pond and past begin to open up.

Because the path nears the woods, it turns left, following the fence line. Chances are you’ll need to take a minute and look throughout the hilly meadow to absorb the view as soon as once more. As you stroll alongside the fence, the view will get higher.

On the finish of the fence, the path leaves what is named the higher meadow and geese into the woods. Comply with the white blazes as they go by a collapsed stone wall and head northeast. In about 630 toes, the path involves a junction marked by an indication. To the left is your return route, for now, proceed forward in direction of Lookout/Stone Home Street.

The path begins a gentle ascent of Crimson Mountain, generally on switchbacks. In about 1,000 toes from the junction, the path reaches the Mary Moore Lookout. 

You’ve got now hiked about 3/4 of a mile and gained about 275 toes in elevation. This can be a great place to take a break and benefit from the view. From this spot, you possibly can see the South Taconic Mountains of Massachusetts, Connecticut and New York. One can see farmland, unfold out alongside the flatlands, their purple barns and silos with cows grazing within the close by fields.

If you find yourself able to proceed, observe the white blazes alongside the sting of the woods. The path leaves the meadow, reenters the woods and continues a gentle ascent of Crimson Mountain.

The path ranges off briefly, skirting the steep slopes.

In one other 1/2 a mile (from the lookout) the path reaches one other junction, the opposite finish of the Cliff Loop. For those who solely need to do a 2.5 mile loop, flip left. For those who want to prolong the hike, proceed forward. The continuation of the hike described right here, is an out and again which can return you to this spot. 

The path continues to climb, however on a extra reasonable grade. On the prime of the rise, you’ll attain an elevation of about 1302 toes above sea stage, the very best level reached throughout this hike. The path ranges off briefly, then begins a gentle descent into White Hole, passing by the Wikes Protect and coming into the Hamlin Protect. There aren’t any indicators indicating if you end up coming into or leaving any of the three preserves.

On the base of the descent, the path turns left on an outdated woods street and climbs steadily. In about one other 400 toes, the path reaches a junction, marked by an indication. 

This was our flip round spot. If you need to increase the hike, you possibly can proceed on. If not, retrace your steps alongside the woods street for about 400 toes, flip proper on the footpath which ascends steeply.

From this junction that leaves the woods street (Wike Connector Path on map), it’s about 1.6 miles again to your car on the Mary Moore Protect trailhead.

After retracing your steps, you’ll arrive on the Cliff Loop junction. Flip proper right here and observe the white blazes marked with directional arrows. This part of path, additionally know because the Cliff Loop Extension, was accomplished in the summertime of 2020. 

The path descends the mountain steadily, passing massive rocks alongside the path and cliffs to the appropriate which can be strewn with boulders. 

Quickly the path turns left, heading southwest  and passes by a beautiful part of path that was fastidiously laid out by volunteers of the Sharon Land Belief in 2020. 

About 1/2 mile from the junction, the path leaves the woods and enters the decrease finish of the meadow, beneath the Mary Moore Lookout. 

proceed alongside by the sector, staying near the bushes. You’ll quickly see picket posts with white blazes. To the appropriate, Beardsley Pond is seen by the bushes.

On the finish of the sector, the path turns left on a footpath, however proceed forward only a few toes and take a look at the  Chinkapin Oak. This Chinkapin Oak is listed as a Connecticut State Champion Tree. It’s round 150 years outdated, 151 inches in circumference, and 92 toes excessive with a diffusion of 101 toes.

If you find yourself achieved observe the white blazes uphill for about 500 toes. DO NOT proceed on the woods street previous the tree. 

When the Cliff Loop involves a T-Intersection, flip proper, now retracing your steps from the start of the hike. In about 630 toes, the path reaches the higher meadow. Flip left and observe the fence line because it wraps across the pasture, stopping once in a while to get one final have a look at the beautiful views.

Comply with the fence line down the hill, again to the parking space the place the hike started.

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Assessment:

This can be a very nice hike with nice views and scenic panorama. The paths and preserves are very effectively stored and maintained. Not one little bit of trash was noticed wherever on the day of our go to. The paths are effectively blazed with indicators in any respect the junctions. Very quiet woods with minimal foot site visitors. This hidden gem is effectively definitely worth the go to and is appropriate for many hikers. Whether or not you simply need to do a brief out and again of 1.5 miles to the Mary Moore Lookout, Cliff Loop (2.5 miles from Mary Moore parking space) or a for much longer hike to Stone Home Street and again, you’ll not be disenchanted.

Execs:

Panoramic views of three states, effectively marked trails, litter free and effectively maintained preserves, minimal foot site visitors.

Cons:

Small parking space, however that’s in all probability for the very best.

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Take a hike!

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