The Bug Hunt

Trout Brook Valley
Easton, CT

Planted by Donna & Darrin on September 14, 2003
Located in Fairfield County, CT
Nearest town is Easton

Trail rating: The trail on this hike heads up...and up, so be prepared! There are a few steep sections and there is one section in particular that is quite steep; fortunately the trail keepers have generously added a rope to help navigate this section. Be careful on this trail in general, it can be quite slippery when it is wet. This would be a great hike in the spring or fall. We wouldn't recommend it for a winter/snowy hike. If you do make the trek...you'll be generously rewarded with a suprise at the top :-)

Estimated time: This should take about 1 to 1.5 hours round trip.

This is a four part series. All four stamps make up one image measuring 2-3/4" X 2-7/8". Place the first stamp at the top left of your page. Each subsequent stamp gets placed in order to form a square. There are notations on the back of each stamp to tell you where to line them up and the log book is located in the last box.

The series is located in Trout Brook Valley. Trout Brook Valley is located in Easton and Weston, CT (mostly in Easton, although the parking area is just over the border on the Weston side). From almost all directions, the easiest way to reach the site is from the Merritt Parkway (Route 15). From the Merritt Parkway, take exit 44/45 in Fairfield. Go north on Rt. 58 (Black Rock Turnpike) for 3.5 miles to the intersection of Rt. 58 and Rt. 136, and follow the directions marked with '*****' below.

If you are coming to the meet via I-84, take exit 10 in Newtown. Go west on Rt. 6 for 1 mile, then south (left) on Rt. 25 for only 0.4 miles, then west (right) on Rt. 302 for about 6 miles. At the intersection of Rt. 302 and Rt. 58, go south (left) on Rt. 58 for about 12 miles to the intersection of Rt. 58 and Rt. 136, and follow the directions marked with '*****' below.

***** From the intersection of Rt. 58 and Rt. 136: go west on Rt. 136 for only 0.8 miles, then north (right) on Old Redding Road (NOT Redding Road...) for 1.8 miles, then north (right) on Valley Forge Road for only 0.25 miles, then right onto Bradley Road. Look for signs on the left into the parking area.

Click here for a map of Trout Brook Valley.

Starting Point & Clues
Drive to the parking lot off of Bradley Road. You'll see a dirt road adjacent to the parking lot, begin by walking down the road, looking out for signs for the RED trail which starts off to the left of the dirt road.

True Lady Follow the RED trail. The trail slowly winds uphill until you reach two concrete platforms. (We believe that these might be some type of water conduit used by the reservoir. If you happen to know what these might be, please e-mail us and let us know.) At this point, you will notice the trail continuing in a southerly direction. You�ll also see a marker with the number 35 on it posted on a tree and you'll see several yellow, concrete markers painted yellow. Look for the marker closest to the trail. From this marker take five paces along the trail and stop look to your right. You will see some boulders. Head in 7 paces from this point. Look low at the southwest corner of the boulder to find a True Lady.

Bzzzzz...

(Fig. 1)

(Fig. 2)

(Fig. 3)

Continue walking along the RED trail passing through a rocky area going slightly downward and then reaching a steep rocky section. This is the section with the above mentioned rope anchored along several trees for your convenience (See Fig. 1). Once past the rope section, you�re going to come out onto a ridge that overlooks the trail that you just came up on. Continue winding along the red trail where you�ll cross two rocky/ledge sections. Continue walking along the trail and keep your eyes open for a red marker with a really unique tree a little farther up on the right, (see Fig. 2). The tree has two trunks that sort of intertwine, (see Fig. 3). The tree will be just before you would begin heading up another little steep section. Stand on the south side of the tree and stading with the tree to your left. Walk 5 paces at 80 degrees. At this point, you should be standing next to a large pine tree. Look at the base of the tree and you will find a rock covering the Bzzzzzz box.

Dragon

(Fig. 4)

(Fig. 5)

Continue along the red trail until you reach the intersection with the purple trail. (Note...earlier on you passed the lavender trail. The purple trail markers, looked pretty much like blue to us, so just make sure you see Marker 29.) Ok, the next section is a a bit farther up. Pay close attention to the clues and continue to follow the purple trail. If you really want to pay attention closely, you will be walking for approximately 115 paces (So...no more talking once you reach this intersection)! In addition, you'll notice at one point you are entering a section of the trail that is in hunting area. During this section, you will reach a really cool (at least we thought it was) plateau filled with tall pines and moss covered rocks. On the trees you can see some fungi sticking out. At approximately 115 paces you will reach two rocks that flank the trail closely (See Fig. 4) (Look to your right and you should see some standing water). Standing between the two rocks, take about 11 paces. You'll see a pine tree on your left with a purple trail marker. Standing in the middle of the trail walk 10 paces at 140 degrees to the base of a large pine with two trunks split at base (See Fig. 5). Look on the southeastern base of the tree for the Dragon.

Bella Butterfly

(Fig. 6)

Follow the purple trail to the end. The purple trail marker is pointing downward and has the word "end" written on it to indicate that you are at the end. If you go any farther you will see yellow "no trespassing" signs and you will be hiking on restricted property. Turn around at the end of the purple trail and backtrack 19 to 20 paces and you'll see an opening on your left. Look left and head downhill at 130 degrees for approximately 10 paces to a small moss covered rock. Turn NORTH (approximately) and take 8 to 9 paces. Bella Butterfly is located on your left between 2 tree stumps under the WESTERN side of a moss and lichen covered rock (See Fig. 6).

Note: For those of you who love mysteries, there is a surprise in the last box in the Bug Hunt series...