Windswept Ridge once belonged to the prominent Bull and Bushnell families. It is located in a draw off the Mud River valley. That valley was once known as “Scotch Plains.” The Scotch Plains region of Essex was very desirable to the early settlers as farmland. Therefore the village of Centerbrook, in which Scotch Plains is located, was the focal point of Essex up to the Revolutionary War. The ridge of which the Windswept Ridge preserve is a part was once known as Bushnell Meadows indicating it was used as an animal grazing area.
Windswept Ridge is characterized by its heavy canopy, damp soils, fern "meadows" and pockets of wetland. The young growth forest includes maple and beech trees along with birch, oak and cottonwood. Some of the highlights are: a six trunk Tulip Poplar tree, a cliff wall and a hanging glacial boulder. Small mammals, including squirrels, chipmunks and rabbits, attract predators such as fox, hawks and owls.
The easiest route starts at the parking lot following the blue trail to its intersection with the yellow trail and then follows the yellow trail out as far as the second intersection with the blue trail. The blue trail between the bog walk and lost shoe bridge is level but rocky. The green trail at the top of the ridge is generally level with a steep drop off on the west side. A stairway facilitates passage through a steep section. The red trail forms a maze. To avoid the maze, keep left when traveling south and keep right when traveling north. However, the maze is readily navigated and pleasant.
Our preserve rules and dog policy can be found on the Essex Land Trust website.
A three car parking lot is located at the dead end of Windermere Way. This lot can be found by taking Mares Hill Road to Windswept Ridge Road and then onto Windermere Way. There is also curbside parking located by the traffic island on Windsor Lane. This can be found by taking Main Street (Ivoryton/Centerbrook) to Edgewood Avenue followed by Windsor Lane.
There is parking for four or five cars located behind Essex Financial Services opposite Ingum Hill Road on Route 153. Go to the very rear of the building to a gravel driveway.
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