Whispering Pines is 47 acres of woodlands, streams and historic features donated to the Bethany Land Trust by Irene Stahl in 2022. Whispering Pines abuts two Land Trust parcels along Briar Road in the Bethany Farms trails system and the town’s Carrington Preserve.
Irene's husband, Carlton Stahl, began acquiring the land in 1944 from Henry and Julia Russell and added parcels over the years. He gave Henry permission to continue grazing his dairy cows in the meadow and for Julia to pick apples from the orchard for her famous apple pies. After his discharge from the military in 1946, Carl planted 500 tree seedlings, then put in a bridge and made paths through the forest to easily reach the top of the cliff and pine tree areas. According to Irene, when Carl married Irene in 1959, he was the "tree man" while she was the "flower woman" and they became devoted stewards of the land for decades.
Preservation by the Land Trust means that the existing wildlife corridor and natural habitat of many species will be protected in perpetuity. As this is in an area of rich history, both colonial and indigenous, it means that any historic features will also be protected.
Access to the Whispering Pines Trail occurs via a connector trail in another Land Trust property on Briar Road in the Bethany Farms trail system. From this connector trail, the Whispering Pines Trail proceeds below a cliff face, turns east along a dirt road across Bladen's Brook via a rebuilt bridge and then south. Climbing along a gradual slope, the trail connects with the Cowpath Trail that proceeds through the remnants of a field and then through a stand of conifers that gives the preserve its name.
Two trails connecting with the Whispering Pines Trail include the Cliff Loop Trail and the Falling Water Trail. The Cliff Loop Trail climbs into the upland above a cliff face and provides access to the Town of Bethany's Carrington Preserve via both the Wopowog Trail and a second connector trail. The Falling Water Trail connects Whispering Pines with the Carrington Preserve near Bladen's Brook where it drains a wetland area.
The Whispering Pines trails can be reached via Amity Road (Route 63) to Round Hill Road to Briar Road. Roadside parking is available at the 30 Briar Road trailhead.
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