2017 Lollipop Hike #11: Paugussett Indian Well Loop

SUMMARY: At four miles, this is by far the longest of the hikes.  The hike begins at Indian Well State Park near the falls and climbs gradually up the hill, crosses Constitution Blvd at the power lines, joins the Rec Path, passes by Silent Waters, crosses Constitution Blvd at Shelton Avenue, circles the Intermediate School, connects back to the Paugussett Trail and returns to Indian Well State Park. Due to the length of this hike, it is possible to break it up in two pieces: (1) park at Indian Well State Park and hike to Constitution Blvd at the power lines and back to Indian Well, (2) park on Constitution Blvd under the power lines, do the loop around the Intermediate School and back to your car.

PARKING AREA:
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. For some reason the State sometimes blocks off the parking area, so you may have to park on the side road next to the parking lot. Click here to see on Google Maps.

2. Constitution Blvd North: Go past the back entrance to the High School to park on the street where the power lines cross overhead.

BLAZE COLOR: Mainly Blue! This is because most of the loop is part of Connecticut's official "Blue-Blazed Trails", of which there are more than 825 miles of trails. This exact shade of sky blue is used on major trails like the Quinnipiac, Mattabesett, and Metacomet Trails. Part of the loop is the Shelton Lakes Recreation Path which is not blazed but is an 8-foot wide gravel path and the trail that loops around the Intermediate School is blazed in yellow square blazes, back to the Rec Path and blue blazed trail back to the parking lot.

DESCRIPTION: 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 up a gradual hill along an old paved road, then up the stairs to see Indian Well Road on your right. Follow the road to the junction with Route 110, then carefully cross the highway at the blue oval "Paugussett Trail" sign and head into the trees. 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 cross the first meadow. Keep an eye out for 4x4 posts with blazes. Meadow crossings can become overgrown rapidly in June, just push through the grass if it gets too tall. The trail heads into the woods for a short ways, which can be wet after heavy rains, then comes out onto the second meadow. The trail hugs the right side of the meadow, turns left at the end to continue along the edge of the meadow, then passes through a stone wall to follow a utility access road all the way to Constitution Blvd North, where the power lines cross.

At Constitution Blvd, cross the street to find more blue blazes and you are now generally following the power line corridor. Quickly come to Wellington Court, and watch for the blazes to go left a bit at this road crossing. Back along the power lines 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 and past the top, 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, do not follow the blue blazes right but rather take the Rec Path left and cross Constitution Blvd at Shelton Avenue. Follow the yellow square blazes on the trail parallel to Shelton Avenue until you come to the sidewalk next to a baseball field. The sidewalk brings you to the Rec Path; turn left, cross Constitution Blvd, follow the Rec Path until in joins up with the Paugussett Trial right up the hill. You now follow the blue blazed Paugussett Trail back the way you came to you parked car.

TRAIL MAP: