2024 Marathon Level 1, Hike #12: Paugussett Trail South

SUMMARY: At five miles, this is by far the longest of the hikes, although there's no need to hike it all in one day.  The hike begins at Indian Well State Park near the falls and climbs relentlessly up the river slope towards Shelton Lakes, passing by Silent Waters, Hope Lake, and Eklund Garden before arriving at the Buddington Road trailhead.  (To avoid the long uphill climb, you can all or part of the hike in the reverse direction so you'll be going downhill instead.)  You will be crossing a good stretch of Shelton, and it's important to follow the blue blazes carefully and wear appropriate footwear. This trail will cross roadways and in one stretch follows the road for a distance. Be prepared by studying the route, bringing a map, and plenty of water.  

PARKING AREAS (from north to south)
NOTICE August 12, 2024: The DEEP has been randomly closing the falls parking area at Indian Well State Park. The alternate off-season lot near the Maples is still open according to park staff, but someone did post a "private parking tow zone" sign in front of this spot. As far as we can tell, this was posted by someone from the Maples without permission from DEEP. Avoid this hike during peak summer season or go early in the morning. 
1. Indian Well State Park Falls Parking: This is the very first parking area you pass after turning onto Indian Well Road. There is a brown sign across the road for the waterfalls.  Click here to see on Google Maps. If the gate is closed (mostly likely during peak park usage on weekends), there is a nearby alternate off-season lot available. Drive down the side road towards "the Maples" and the lot is just before the RR tracks. 
2. #160 Meadow Street. There is room for two cars on Meadow Street opposite Mayflower Lane in front of a gate. Back into this spot! It is otherwise difficult to pull back out due to traffic. Alternatively, you can park on Mayflower Lane. 
3. #676 Constitution Blvd North : There is a pull-off with a sign kiosk at the Turkey Trot trailhead, near Daryl Ellis Drive. It's a short walk along the Rec Path to the blue trail.
4. Dog Park: #316 Nells Rock Road.  Located at the corner of Nells Rock Road and Shelton Avenue. From this parking area, it's a short walk on either the Rec Path or the Dog Paw Path to the blue-blazed Paugussett Trail.
5. Eklund Garden. Located at #10 Oak Valley Road. The Paugussett Trail goes right through the garden.
6. Buddington Road:  A prominent sign kiosk marks the southern terminus of the trail under the powerlines, near #179 Buddington Road. Click here to see on Google Maps.

BLAZE COLOR: Blue! This is one of Connecticut's official "Blue-Blazed Trails," of which there are over 825 miles. This exact shade of sky blue is used on major trails like the Quinnipiac, Mattabesett, and Metacomet Trails.

MAP: Download a map of the Shelton Paugussett HERE.

DESCRIPTION: We will be starting at Indian Well and heading southbound to Buddington Road. You could also do this in reverse, which will have you walking downhill more than uphill :).

From the parking area on Indian Well Road for the falls, cross a grassy field marked with blue blazes at the top of 4x4 posts, and continue into the trees. Pass some old ruins and continue along the toe of the slope. An old highway runs parallel with the trail a short distance up above. This appears to be the original highway from back in the day. The Housatonic River was still tidal and there was a shipyard. Colonial farmers in the White Hills brought their product here. At one point this was the busiest location in what is now Shelton. 

The trail eventually rises up to join the old highway briefly, then heads up the hill with a few switchbacks. There is a small pond down below. Stop to enjoy it and catch your breath. 

The trail comes to Route 110, which you will need to cross very carefully. The best crossing point is at the blue oval sign.  The trail then enters Housatonic Woods, Shelton Open Space. The trail quickly goes left and gradually climbs the long hill, passing an old stone foundation. Follow the blazes closely past the back of Sinsabaugh Heights (elderly housing owned by the City), then the trail comes out onto Mayflower Lane, a cul-de-sac.

You now need to walk on the road, bearing right on Mayflower Lane at the split, all the way to Meadow Street. Cross the street, walk around the gate, and enter the woods tunnel. This is where builders began to construct a cul-de-sac through a meadow. Operations were halted and the graded area eventually converted to woodlands. At the end of the tunnel, go straight across a meadow and head back into the woods. Continue through the forest and turn right for a few feet along a powerline access road ending at Constitution Blvd. 

Cross the street to find more blazes and you are now generally following the powerline corridor. Quickly come to Wellington Court, and watch for the blazes to go left a bit at this road crossing. Back along the powerlines and then the trail takes a right turn into the trees for a time until it reaches Independence Drive.

Cross the street and follow the utility road up the hill. Blazes will be on rocks, posts, whatever can be blazed. As you go up the hill watch for a sharp left turn into the woods. The trail then joins up with white-blazed Turkey Trot Trail and then the Rec Path, and all three trail share the same tread as they cross the Silent Waters dam.

After the dam, the blue blazes continue along the Rec Path to the Shelton Avenue crosswalk leading to the Dog Park. Continue along the Rec Path/Paugussett to the tip of Hope Lake near the dam, where the two trails diverge.  Veer left onto the Paugussett Trail and follow the shoreline of Hope Lake. At the end of the lake, be sure to go sharply left with the blue blazes across a bridge, and you are now sharing the path with Oak Valley Trail (blazed white). The blue blazes will turn sharply right to leave the lake, cross Oak Valley Road, then walk through Eklund Garden.

After the garden, go up hill gradually, down to a swamp and a small foot bridge, then on to a major intersection with Nells Rock Trail (blazed white) at a place we call "Four Corners." Go straight across the intersection and continue on an old road. Watch for the blue blazes to leave the old road on the right, and head gradually up to the top of a cliff face where you look down on Nells Rock Trail. The trail goes left to follow the top of the cliff, then right to descend steeply down to Nells Rock Trail. 

Go left on the white blazed trail shortly then right to continue on blue. Come out to the powerlines once again briefly then head back into the woods, cross a wet area, then you're back to the powerlines, which you will now cross at the base of a cliff. The trail then heads into thick mountain laurel with a few ups and downs, finally coming to a boardwalk and Buddington Road.