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Timberland Trails Guilford, CT Placed November 24th and December 2nd 2001 An easy to moderate hike with a few short but steep climbs. Approximately 3 1/2 miles, allow 2 1/2 hours. You may also want to check out Timberland Trail North and The Hideout. In 1975 the town of Guilford purchased about 600 acres of forested land in northeastern Guilford. This area, known as Timberland, provides wildlife habitat and nature-based recreation --hiking, riding,etc and through annual cordwood sales, produces revenue for the town. Most of the trails extend over gently rolling hills and are suited to hiking, horseback riding and mountain biking. The orange trail, and part of the blue trail lead over more rugged terrain. During spring, mud or flooding can prevent travel on some sections of trails, and in the winter they can be icy. There are no maps at the trails, they are available at the town hall. A fellow letterboxer has been kind enough to scan the map and post it in the files sections of the LbNA talk list. Thanks Aili! From Rte 77 South. After crossing route 80 continue 2 miles to light and turn left onto Stepstone Hill Road. I-95 Exit 58. North on 77. Follow to traffic light and turn right onto Stepstone Hill Road. At stop sign continue straight downhill. This is now North Madison Road. Continue past golf course and turn left onto Lakeside Drive. If you cross the bridge you've missed it. Follow to parking area on left near the large rocks. We'll start on the Rectangular White Blazed Trail and will soon turn left onto the white cross trail ( X ). Continue on the white cross trail till it meets up again with the main white trail and turn left. Continue on the main white trail till it meets up with the blue cross trail. Turn left (West) onto the blue cross trail and pass over the skinny bridge. Continue uphill through laurels and follow as it turns right at 290 through laurels and birches. Turn right 300 onto the main blue trail. Soon you will see a hillside of moss and lichen covered boulders on your right. Just behind the triple trunked tree at 320 degrees you will find the "Timberlands Trails" letterbox amongst the lower boulders. Continue on the blue trail and soon it will turn right sharply up through the rocks. Follow as it winds through laurel and baby pines along the rock ridge and continue on the main blue trail until it meets with the orange trail, go right on the orange trail. Follow as it winds downhill across the brook and uphill again until it meets with the white trail. Turn right on the white trail. Follow to the yellow trail - go left (North) on the yellow trail and continue on the main yellow trail. Pass the tree with 2 right angles, at the rock with the yellow arrow proceed North off trail to the boulder split in two by the maple tree. At the base, find the "Purpley Duck" letterbox. After stamping in, continue on the yellow trail crossing over another brook. Pick up the red cross trail to the right (South) to the main red trail on the right (South).Follow main red trail to the water, and pick up the red dot streamside trail . Follow this up and down along the stream until it meets up with the main white trail. Take the main white trail to the right and follow over the bridge and gradually uphill. When you meet with the green trail, turn left on the green trail. Follow to the wreck that's been used for target practice. From the wreck take 10 to 12 paces at 320 to find the "Black Tupelo" letterbox behind a tilted stone. I'm not sure there are any black tupelos in the immediate area, but I know of some nearby and their leaves turn a beautiful scarlet color in the fall. After finding and rehiding, continue on the green trail on a clockwise loop until it meets up again with the main white trail. Turn left on the white trail and follow out to the road and down the hill to your car. We hope you enjoyed this hike! Please read the waiver before setting out. All bearings are magnetic. One pace equals one foot fall. |