The properties sit on a ridge in the northeast corner of Essex and include the headwaters of three small watersheds draining to three distinct portions of the Connecticut River. There is an unusual crook in the stone wall on the valley floor of Woodja Hill where, old timers say, a natural spring supplied water and the property line was "adjusted" to ensure the livestock had access.
Seven generations of the Doane family, dating back to Israel Doane in the 1700s, occupied this property. For many of those years it was a homestead farm. An old farm road and stone walls still wind through the property. The James Glen section belonged to Essex physician, Dr. Raymond James.
The Woodja Hill section was acquired in 2018 with financial support from the Town of Essex and the State of Connecticut. Woodja Hill connects through a right of way with Lyons Meadow and Millstone Hill, Deep River Land Trust parcels, thereby creating a 50-acre greenway.
These three adjacent properties have a network of trails offering several routes, including loops, out and back, and end to end. From the Navy Lane or Hudson Lane in the south one can walk to Meadow Woods Road -via the Deep River Land Trust’s Lyons Meadow Preserve- in the north.
There are several steep sections that can mostly be avoided by staying to the valley floor.
The Essex Land Trust (ELT) is a non-profit all-volunteer and donor supported organization founded in 1968 and is accredited by the national Land Trust Alliance. ELT owns 24 preserves covering 752 acres with 35 miles of trails.
Our preserve rules and dog policy can be found on the Essex Land Trust website.
Take exit 3 and head northeast on West Ave towards Essex Village. Take a left onto Grove Street, and another left onto North Main Street, which turns into River Road.
Doanes Woods: From River Road, take the first left to Book Hill Road and then a sharp right to Navy Lane. On the left side of Navy Lane, 75 feet beyond private road sign, there is parking for three vehicles.
Woodja Hill: From River Road, take the first left onto Book Hill Road and then slide right onto Meadow Woods Road, and take another right onto Ox Bow Lane. At the apex of the cul-de-sac, follow the shared driveway 50 yards to parking lot on the right. Four Cars. Please do not block shared driveway.
James Glenn: From River Road, take the third left to Hudson Lane. At the apex of the cul-de-sac, there is curbside parking for one vehicle.
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