2024 Marathon Level 1, Hike #10: Birchbank Trail

SUMMARY:  Hiking this 2.4-mile "lollipop loop" is a good workout through one of our more remote and scenic parks along the banks of the Housatonic River. You'll start out at an elevation of about 100 feet, and after an easy stroll along an old road, you'll head up the river bank alongside the cascades of Upper White Hill Brook and then continue on to the Birchbank overlook at elevation 400 ft. Enjoy the views of the Housatonic River down below. If you go in April, expect to see spring wildflowers in bloom, including Dutchman's breeches, trillium, and bloodroot. 

PARKING: This parking area is often confused with parking at Indian Well. The Birchbank Trailhead is located on Birchbank Road (aka Indian Well Road), 1.9 miles north of the junction with Route 110, and one full mile north of the Indian Well State Park beach area. After passing the beach turnoff, you will find yourself on Shelton's most interesting road. You'll know it when you see it, and GO SLOW. The road then drops down and takes a sharp turn to cross the railroad tracks. The trailhead is just before the RR tracks, marked by a sign kiosk and bench. There is parking for two cars here, but additional parking on the other side of the tracks. See Google Map for location.

Click map to enlarge

MAP: The official trail map for Birchbank Mountain can be downloaded here. 

BLAZE COLOR: White to blue to blue/white and return on white. 

CONDENSED DESCRIPTION: Take Birchbank Trail (white), following the loop counterclockwise up the hill past Chimney Junction, crossing over the brook at a bridge, and starting back down the hill. Turn right onto the Paugussett Trail (blue), passing the overlook. Turn left onto the Birchbank Connector (blue/white), then right back onto Birchbank Trail. Continue downhill back to your car, turning right at the bottom of the hill. 

FULL DESCRIPTION: We will be doing this "lollipop loop" counterclockwise. From the kiosk, follow the white blazes along an old, flat road for about half a mile, passing over a small bridge with a nearby bench, a trail junction blazed white in all directions (the beginning of the loop part of this hike - you will return to this spot), and going over a wooden bridge that crosses Upper White Hills Brook.  In April, there is an explosion of native woodland wildflowers in that first flat stretch, but most of these plant die back and go dormant for the summer.

Immediately after crossing the wooden bridge, the trail goes left and begins to climb the riverbank along the the brook. This is a beautiful spot, with water cascades, slides, and falls. Continue up the hill with the stream to your left and eventually reach the Birchbank Chimney in front of you, with the white blazes curving off to the right. This is called Chimney Junction since the Paugussett Trail crosses here on its way to Shelton Lakes.  The chimney is what remains of the old Monroe Rod and Gun Club lodge. 

After enjoying this location, find the white blazes, now taking you away from the stream, and continue on, eventually reaching another wooden bridge over Upper White Hills Brook and the trail curves left to take you back down the hill.  You will be following an old road for part of the ways. 

The white blazes veer left off of the old road in a mountain laurel thicket. You can continue on the unmarked old road, which is now an unofficial shortcut to the blue-blazed Paugussett Trail. When you reach the blue blazes, follow them as they continue straight and then climb the hill to right, culminating in the Birchbank overlook. Enjoy the views!

Continue along the Paugussett Trail about 0.1 mile until you arrive at the junction with the Birchbank Connector, blazed blue/white. Take a left onto that trail and follow it down into a beautiful valley (especially if the water is running and spring wildflowers are in bloom). Continue on the connector trail until it ends at a junction with Birchbank Trail (white). Turn right and follow the trail down the hill, passing an overlook of the cascades. Turn right again when you reach the bottom of the hill, and follow the old road back to your car.