Birchbank Mountain "Crazy 8" with Burritt's Bypass
(2.5 miles, 510 ft)
SUMMARY: This is a scenic hike that features the cascades of Upper White Hills Brook, the Birchbank overlook high above the Housatonic River, and a rock "cave" amongst Burritt's Rocks. Due to lots of rocks underfoot, it's best done when those rocks will be dry. There are many spring wildflowers in April, including Dutchman's Breeches, Trillium, and Bloodroot.
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| click map to enlarge |
MAPS: Use Google Map #1 for driving directions and to geolocate yourself while hiking. The official Birchbank Mountain trail map is here.
PARKING: Park at the main Birchbank Trailhead on Indian Well Road. Warning: Many people accidentally park at Indian Well thinking they are at Birchbank! If the info kiosk does not say "Birchbank Mountain" then you are at the wrong spot. There is no gps address. Go ONE FULL MILE past the beach/boat launch entrance at Indian Well, travelling cautiously along one of Shelton's most interesting roads, until the road takes a sharp right curve to cross RR tracks - the trailhead is immediately before the train tracks. There is limited parking at the trailhead with ample overflow parking on the other side of the tracks.
CONDENSED DESCRIPTION: White-blazed Birchbank Trail to Chimney Corner. Left onto blue-blazed Paugussett Trail (southbound), passing the overlook. Continue to second junction with blue/green Burritt's Bypass Trail at massive boulders. Right onto the bypass trail (heading northbound) and follow it back to the blue trail, now northbound. Turn right onto the blue/white Birchbank Connector. Right onto Birchbank Trail, and another right when the loop comes back to the lower road.
DESCRIPTION: Follow the white-blazes for Birchbank Trail, going straight at the junction where the trail becomes a loop. You are doing the loop counterclockwise. Cross over the bridge and follow the white blazes up the hill alongside Upper White Hills Brook, passing cascades and a ravine before arriving at the junction with the blue-blazed Paugussett Trail and an old chimney. (The chimney is what's left of the old Monroe Rod and Gun Club). Continue following the white blazes up the hill and the trail eventually crosses back over the brook via another Scout bridge. Birchbank Trail is now following an old road back down the hill.
DESCRIPTION: Follow the white-blazes for Birchbank Trail, going straight at the junction where the trail becomes a loop. You are doing the loop counterclockwise. Cross over the bridge and follow the white blazes up the hill alongside Upper White Hills Brook, passing cascades and a ravine before arriving at the junction with the blue-blazed Paugussett Trail and an old chimney. (The chimney is what's left of the old Monroe Rod and Gun Club). Continue following the white blazes up the hill and the trail eventually crosses back over the brook via another Scout bridge. Birchbank Trail is now following an old road back down the hill.
Keep to the right and you'll come to the blue-blazed Paugussett Trail. TURN RIGHT to follow the blue blazes up the hill to the Birchbank overlook.
After enjoying the view, continue southbound on the Paugussett Trail about 0.1 mile to "Benchmark Brook" (seasonal) and the junction with Burritt's Bypass. Stay on the blue trail as it goes uphill through Burritt's Rocks. (Old deeds refer to this general area as "a place called Burritt's Rocks").
After enjoying the view, continue southbound on the Paugussett Trail about 0.1 mile to "Benchmark Brook" (seasonal) and the junction with Burritt's Bypass. Stay on the blue trail as it goes uphill through Burritt's Rocks. (Old deeds refer to this general area as "a place called Burritt's Rocks").
When you get up to the largest boulders, TURN RIGHT onto the blue/green-blazed Burritt's Bypass and take that up a few feet to the base of a huge boulder. Continue on the bypass trail, passing a "cave" overhang where the old Paugussett Trail used to run decades ago (can you see some remnants of a blue blaze?) Continue on over some more rocks and then downhill on packed earth. The bypass was designed to avoid a steep descent on slick rocks (easier going up the rocks than down). Rejoin the Paugussett Trail and recross the seasonal brook.
TURN RIGHT onto the blue/white-blazed Birchbank Connector Trail and follow it downhill to the end.
TURN RIGHT onto the blue/white-blazed Birchbank Connector Trail and follow it downhill to the end.
TURN RIGHT onto Birchbank Trail and follow it down the hill, coming to an overlook of the cascades, then rejoining the old road to complete the loop portion of Birchbank Trail. Turn right and follow the flat old road back to your car.
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