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| Saugatuck Resevoir |
The Saugatuck Trail climbs and falls through thick forests along the picturesque Saugatuck Reservoir. It is a welcome scenic get-away around the corner from urban population centers in Fairfield County and NYC. There are a number of parking spots, making it easy to split up this trail into two or three out-n-backs. Or you can create some loops by using connecting trails from the adjacent Devil's Den Preserve.
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| Saugatuck River, Saugatuck Trail- Redding CT |
Connecticut's territory extends West to the Pacific Ocean --- says the English Colonial Charter. Unfortunately, The Duke of York's land was in the way. Suffice it to say that some epic centuries-long squabbles took place and the end result was the CT panhandle encompassing Fairfield County in all of its glory, while a mile wide strip beginning in Ridgefield that extends North to Massachusetts known as The Oblong was given to NY in exchange. Ha! Take that New York. Consider that a Yankee Prank.
Being a Fairfield County resident, It is difficult to understand why this land was fought over. It seems to be an armpit overrun with cars and primadonnas more than a panhandle or a region of enormous wealth and resource. But, that's just an opinion ... and all is not lost. There are some terrific preserves and state forests that have been carved out the jungle-of-human-madness-and-consumer-disease that is my fair Fairfield County. If you meet someone out on the Saugatuck Trail they are likely to say hello to you rather than show you their middle finger - and that is indeed refreshing.
(To those not accustomed to kindness and human decency, beware. It may take many walks along the Saugatuck before your numbness and paranoia subsides --- "Hello" is in fact a greeting used by others to acknowledge and show respect for your presence and an invitation to return a warm gesture.)
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| Life in all seasons on The Saugatuck Trail, Redding CT |
This may not seem like an ideal time for a 6 mile hike. But, I found that the scenery was more spectacular in the monochrome contrast of Winter. Vistas unknown in Summer are revealed through bare limbs. Life (abounds) clinging in protected crags. These micro-ecological communities can easily become extended metaphors for the resiliency of life in nearby NYC. Around every corner, at every hour of the day, in every season Life grabs hold and is busy with the activity of survival
It is haltingly quiet in the valleys along The Saugatuck in this season. Have you been fooled into believing that the land beneath your feet is asleep? Have you been fooled into believing that you are standing in a vast wilderness far distant from the urban crush? For a few hours on a sunny afternoon I was just such a happy fool.
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| The Saugatuck Reservoir, From The Saugatuck Trail in Weston CT |
Saugatuck Blue Blazed Trail
COUNTY: FairfieldCOMMUNITIES: Redding, Weston
MILES: 7 Miles Linear
POINTS OF INTEREST: Saugatuck Reservoir
ARTICLE LINKS:East of the Oblong - A Walk on The Saugatuck
-Connecticut Explorer
I Came, I Saugatucked, I Conquored - CTMQ
Directions and Trail Map
Click Map Image to load the full interactive map.
Address for your GPs:
Deer Hill RD. Trail Head: 41.293511,-73.379598 | 50 Deer Hill Rd. Redding CT
Davis Hill RD. Trail Head: 41.248973,-73.353034 | 190 Davis Hill Rd. Weston CT
| From Bridgeport | 15 Minutes |
| From New Haven | 50 Minutes |
| From Hartford | 1 Hour |
| From New London | 1.5 hours |
| From Providence | 2.5 Hours |
| From New York | 1.5 Hours |
Photos
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| The Saugatuck River, along The Saugatuck Trail, Redding CT |
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| Wood like Stone, along The Saugatuck Trail, Redding CT |
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| The Saugatuck Trail, Blue Blazed, in Redding CT near Tudor Rd |
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| The Saugatuck Trail, Redding CT |