From the Bald Hill Road entrance, the hiker immediately enters a second growth deciduous woodland flanked by residences. The entrance to the bulk of the property is marked by crossing over a stone wall. This site has many stonewalls which give evidence to the past agricultural uses. The wall crossing marks a "T" intersection for the perimeter trail.
The Vista Road entrance provides access to the site over Wilton Land Conservation Trust property. This trail brings the hiker to the loop trail past the southeastern wetland and over a brook.
The distance reported is the segment length. The distance of a loop from either trailhead may vary slightly.
In general, the forest is dominated by oak, spruce and American beech. The western portions are open and lack understory. To the east, the understory composition changes and becomes dominated by an invasive vine, cat briar or green briar. The briar provides cover for smaller mammals and birds, but it is quite difficult to free yourself from its thorny, wiry grip. Further west and north, mountain laurel increases along the ledges and slopes. To the west and southeast, two wetland systems persist.
Just West of the Vista Road Property is a piece of Wilton Land Conservation Trust land that provides habitat for wildlife. This property dominated is by red maples in the canopy and spicebush in the understory. The western wetlands sparse understory marks the wetter conditions of this swamp as supported by the broader tree bases (hummocks) and striking surface root configurations. The trail, amidst the mountain laurels above the northern swamp, overlooks this notable wetland.
To report an issue on the trails, please use SeeClickFix (select Trails under Submit a Request).
From Wilton Center go north on Ridgefield Road 3.4 miles to Vista Road. Turn left onto Vista Road and continue for 0.5 miles to the trail head on left. Alternate access, from Wilton Center go north on Ridgefield Road, turn left onto Bald Hill Road and continue 0.3 miles to the trail head on left. Street parking only.
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