West Rock Ridge State Park

West Rock Ridge State Park is a state park located in New Haven, Hamden, and Woodbridge, Connecticut. It is named for the 400-700 foot high traprock West Rock Ridge, which is part of the Metacomet Ridge extending from Long Island Sound to the Vermont border. The ridge consists largely of reddish and blackish diabase basalt, much like its sister formation East Rock. The ridge runs north-northwest out of New Haven and forms the boundary between the towns of Woodbridge and Hamden. The ridge is bordered by Konalds Pond, Lake Dawson, and Lake Watrous on its western flank and by Lake Wintergreen on its eastern flank and is about 6 miles long from end to end. The park contains trails and extensive forests and there are about 7 miles of cliffs running along its western flank.

In the 17th century, West Rock served as the hideout for Edward Whalley and his son-in-law, Gen. William Goffe, two of the three "regicide judges" whom New Haven honors by streets bearing their surnames. They had fled England, anticipating prosecution under King Charles II in the execution of his father Charles I, to New Haven; the rock shelter hideout ostensibly used by the two is preserved at the Judges' Cave.

The West Rock Tunnel (designated since 2003 as the Heroes Tunnel), [ [http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9900E3DF103EF93AA25753C1A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 "A Road By Any Other Name . . ."] was bored through West Rock in order to make passage for the Wilbur Cross Parkway.

General Information

West Rock Ridge State Park is open daily from 8 a.m. to sunset for a variety of recreational uses, including hiking, bicycling, fishing, car-top boating, horseback riding, dog walking, picnicking, and other passive pursuits. The Park Road to the South Overlook and Judges Cave is open daily to vehicle traffic from Memorial Day through the last weekend in October. Park access is free of charge for all users.

Bicycles and horses are limited to the Red and White Trails, and the paved park roads. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. Power boats and personal watercrafts (commonly known as Jet Skis) are not permitted on Lake Wintergreen. Fishing is permitted to licensed users on a seasonal basis. Hunting is not permitted in Connecticut state parks, including West Rock Ridge.

West Rock Ridge is a carry-in, carry-out park with no trash facilities, so users are asked to take out any items they bring with them. Park staff may be reached at the office located at Sleeping Giant State Park, 200 Mount Carmel Avenue, at [phone]. Maps are available at this location. A full color map may be downloaded from the state website at www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325276. A display map can be seen at the Lake Wintergreen parking area and at the main entrance off Wintergreen Avenue. In case of emergency, call 860-424-3333.

Baldwin Drive is permanently closed to traffic, except for maintenance purposes, so it offers park users the opportunity to travel along a 5.6 mile long paved road without any distractions from motor vehicles. The 1.25 mile Park Road to the South Overlook (with an additional 0.2 mile spur to Judges Cave) may be enjoyed by hikers, equestrians, and bicyclists without motor vehicles from November through late May. There are picnic tables available at the South Overlook and Judges Cave. There is a small pavilion at the South Overlook.

The South Overlook offers superb views to the west, south and east, including Sleeping Giant State Park with its distinctive profile, East Rock Park with its striking red cliffs topped by the Soldiers and Sailors Monument, the city of New Haven, including the harbor, Long Island Sound, and Long Island.

There is a composting toilet by the Lake Wintergreen parking lot, which is the only restroom facility available in the park. There is no running water available for drinking at West Rock Ridge.

Access to the 44-acre Lake Wintergreen is restricted to non-motorized boats. Getting to the lake requires transporting the boat by hand from the parking area to the shore of the lake, which is about a 200-foot distance down a gravel slope. Swimming is not permitted in the lake.

Fishing

Fishing in park waters is permitted on a seasonal basis. This includes Lake Wintergreen, Farm Brook Reservoir off Hill Street, and an unnamed pond on the Red Trail near Mountain Road. An annual state fishing license is required for those age 16 or older. Fishing permits are available at any town clerk's office in Connecticut, or may be ordered from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) website at [www.ct.gov/dep] . Bait and tackle shops may also sell the licenses. The DEP stocks the lake with trout in the spring and fall and catfish in the summer. Complete fishing regulations, including the dates when fishing is permitted, are explained in the Connecticut Angler's Guide, which the DEP publishes on an annual basis. The guide is available for free at any place that sells a fishing license and may be downloaded from the DEP website. [www.ct.gov/dep]

Trails

There are about 21 miles of marked trails in the park, all of which are marked with painted blazes. One blaze indicates the trail continues straight ahead. Two blazes together means the trail turns. If the higher blaze is to the left, then the trail turns left. If the higher blaze is to the right, then the trail turns right. If two blazes are stacked to resemble an equal sign, then this symbol indicates the end of the trail. There are other unmarked trails in the park. Users are asked to stay to marked trails and not create new trails, as this leads to erosion in this sensitive ecosystem.

The named trails in the park are the Regicides Trail and its connecting trails, the Westville Feeder and the Sanford Feeder; and the North Summit Trail. The 7-mile long Regicides Trail, which is blazed light blue, may be accessed at the southern end behind the pavilion at the South Summit and ends just past the northern boundary of the park where it intersects with the Quinnipiac Trail on the west slope of York Mountain. The Regicides Trail generally consists of a series of moderate climbs and descents. From the Westville section of New Haven, the Regicides Trail may be accessed via the 0.6 mile long Westville Connector. From Brooks Road in Bethany, the Regicides Trail may be accessed by the 0.6 mile long Sanford Feeder. The Westville Connector is blazed light blue with a yellow dot, while the Sanford Feeder is blazed light blue with a red dot. The Sanford Feeder intersects the Regicides Trail at the northern end of the Baldwin Drive. Complete details on the Regicides and Quinnipiac Trails may be found in the Connecticut Walk Book West (2006), 19th Edition, which is published by the Connecticut Forest and Parks Association. [www.ctwoodlands.org]

The 0.81 mile long North Summit Trail, which is blazed in red, connects the Regicides Trail and Baldwin Drive to the Bishop Estate and Darling House Trails in Woodbridge. Baldwin Drive is a paved park road that runs the length of the park. However, the road is permanently closed to vehicle traffic from the main entrance off Main Street in Hamden to its terminus at West Shepard Street in Hamden. [www.scrcog.org/Trails_files/TrailMapWLTDarling.pdf]

The main trail on the east side of the ridge is the Red Trail, which starts at the South Overlook and descends steeply for 0.4 miles to the base of the ridge before leveling off and heading north for a total distance of 6.5 miles. The Red Trail is fairly level for most of its length, except for the two ends that climb the ridge. The Red Trail follows the Park Road for a short distance as it exits the woods by the main entrance, then follows the park road west to the signboard, before turning north past a gate barring vehicle access to Baldwin Drive. At the first hairpin turn, the Red Trail re-enters the woods and reaches the southern shore of Lake Wintergreen. The Red Trail is a wide woods road as it passes along Lake Wintergreen to the point where it crosses the southern section of Mountain Road. Between the two sections of Mountain Road, the Red Trail is a narrow hiking trail with many roots and rocks. At the northern section of Mountain Road, the Red Trail turns east, and then north to follow a graveled woods road. At Farm Brook Reservoir, the Red Trail turns west, crossing a hay field, before re-entering the woods. From this point, the Red Trail climbs a moderately steep slope, past an overlook to the east, before terminating at the Regicides Trail.

The next longest trail at West Rock is the White Trail, which is located west of the Red Trail, along the shoulder of the ridge. The White Trail runs for 2.1 miles, starting at the southern end of Lake Wintergreen, and ending at the Red Trail, just before the southern section of Mountain Road. The White Trail is mostly level, but has some short climbs in areas where the trail has been relocated away from eroded or wet areas.

There are five trails that connect the lower portions of the park on the east with the higher portions of the ridge on the west. These five trails: Green, Orange, an unnamed trail, Purple, and Yellow are all moderately steep climbs for most of their length. The Green Trail is 0.77 miles long and starts off the Red Trail, just south of the main entrance, and ends at Judge's Cave where it intersects the Regicides Trail. The Orange Trail is 0.27 miles long and starts at the southern end of Lake Wintergreen, near the intersection of the Red and White Trails, and ends at the junction of the Regicides Trail and Baldwin Drive. The unnamed and unblazed trail starts at the Lake Wintergreen parking area and is a wide woods road that climbs steadily to a water tank owned by the South Central Connecticut Regional Water Authority. Users have created an informal trail that heads south around the fenced area, and then west to its terminus at the Regicides Trail, a total distance of about 0.5 miles.

The Purple Trail, which is 0.7 miles long, starts off Main Street and has a gentle rise to its intersection with the White Trail. From the White Trail to its intersection with Baldwin Drive, the Purple Trail is a moderately steep climb. A new switchback section was created west of the junction with the Purple-White Dot Trail in September 2008, replacing a steep and heavily eroded section of the Purple Trail. From Baldwin Drive to the Regicides Trail, the Purple Trail is a moderate descent. This new section was also established in September 2008. When ascending the ridge, turn right on Baldwin Drive north for about 200 feet, then turn left into the woods and follow the Purple Trail south to its junction with the Regicides Trail.

The Yellow Trail starts at Mountain Road and climbs steeply to Baldwin Drive for 0.35 miles. A new section of the trail connects to the Regicides Trail, heading south on Baldwin Drive for a short distance, before turning west into the woods. The Yellow Trail has some moderate climbs and descents in this area. The new section, which was established in June 2008, runs for 0.15 miles.

There is a 0.4 mile long trail near Springside Avenue that is blazed in White with a Red Diamond. This trail is maintained by Common Ground High School.

The online state map was last updated in December 2003 and does not reflect recent updates to the blazes along the trail. These updates include the following: The Red Trail is now blazed from the northern section of Mountain Road to its terminus at the Regicides Trail. The Purple Trail is blazed from Mountain Road to the Regicides Trail, including a September 2008 extension from Baldwin Drive to the Regicides Trail. The Yellow Trail connects from Baldwin Drive to the Regicides Trail as of June 2008. Trail updates in July 2008 include the blazing of minor connector trails as follows: Red with a White Dot, along the eastern shore of Lake Wintergreen, near the southern end of the lake; Purple with a White Dot, connecting the White Trail to the Purple Trail; Red with a White Dot, connecting the Red Trail to the parking area at Hill Street, and Red with a White Dot, a foot trail off the gravel portion of the Red Trail. [http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325276]

uggested Hikes

There are many hiking options available at West Rock. These are some suggestions starting from the Lake Wintergreen parking area.An easy beginner hike is to follow the Red and White Trails around Lake Wintergreen for a total distance of 1.6 miles. The trail surface is gravel with even footing and is flat to moderately rolling. Near the spillway, hikers have the option of taking the Red-White Dot Trail, which stays near the lake, and provides a small rock scramble. This option is not recommended in icy conditions. To extend this beginner hike, take the White Trail north to the Purple Trail, then east on the Purple Trail for a short distance, before turning south on the Red Trail, for an additional 1.2 mile hike that is mostly flat.

For a 3.5 mile hike with some climbing, follow the Red Trail south along Lake Wintergreen to the White Trail. Just past the intersection with the White Trail, turn west on the Orange Trail and climb the ridge. At the top of the ridge, just before Baldwin Drive, turn north on the blue blazed Regicides Trail. At the Purple Trail, head east down the ridge to the White Trail and return south to the Lake Wintergreen parking lot.

To access the South Summit from Lake Wintergreen, take the Red Trail south along Lake Wintergreen. At the end of the lake, continue south along the Red Trail to Baldwin Drive. Follow Baldwin Drive down the hill and past the gate to the main entrance. Take a left past the gate and head toward the street. Just past the closed ticket booth, turn right to continue along the Red Trail. In one section, the Red Trail will overlap a trail marked White with a Red Diamond. The Red Trail is flat to rolling for this entire distance. The climb up to the South Overlook is steep and steady. The lower section of the climb is heavily eroded, but the upper section has stone steps. At the South Overlook, cross the parking lot to the pavilion where the blue blazed Regicides Trail begins. Follow the Regicides Trail to Judges Cave. From Judges Cave, take the Green Trail east down the ridge to its terminus at the Red Trail. Head north on the Red Trail, turning left on the park road past the ticket booth, then right on Baldwin Drive past the gate, then over the guard rail to again reach Lake Wintergreen. At Lake Wintergreen, turn left on the White Trail to return to the parking lot for a total distance of 4.3 miles.

To hike the length of the park for about 12.5 miles, follow the above hike, but remain on the blue-blazed Regicides Trail at Judges Cave. Continue on the Regicides Trail to its intersection with the Red Trail at an overlook toward Farm Brook Reservoir. Descend east from the overlook along the Red Trail. At the base of the overlook, turn south on the Red-White Dot Trail to its terminus at the Red Trail. Continue to follow the Red Trail south to the gate at Mountain Road. Walk past the gate and follow Mountain Road east for about 100 yards, and turn south on the Red Trail. After crossing Mountain Road for the second time, go past the powerlines and turn right on the White Trail to return to Lake Wintergreen.

A medium range hike of about 7.5 miles includes these directions: From Lake Wintergreen, head north on the White Trail to the Purple-White Dot Trail. Follow the Purple-White Dot Trail to its terminus at the Purple Trail. Continue west up the ridge on the Purple Trail to the Regicides Trail. Turn north on the Regicides Trail at the terminus of the Purple Trail. Continue on the Regicides Trail to its intersection with the Red Trail at an overlook toward Farm Brook Reservoir. At the base of the overlook, turn south on the Red-White Dot Trail to its terminus at the Red Trail. Continue to follow the Red Trail south to the gate at Mountain Road. Walk past the gate and follow Mountain Road east for about 100 yards, and turn south on the Red Trail. After crossing Mountain Road for the second time, go past the powerlines and turn right on the White Trail to return to Lake Wintergreen. [http://www.ct.gov/dep/cwp/view.asp?A=2716&Q=325276]

Bicycling and Horseback Riding

A mountain bike or hybrid bicycle is recommended for cycling at West Rock. The Park Road has pavement that is smooth enough for a road bike, but the surface of Baldwin Drive is too coarse for comfortable riding on a road bike. Mountain bikes are recommended for the technical portions of the trails. Equestrians may plan their route based on the comments that apply to bicycling.

The Red Trail has a wide, flat non-technical surface between the southern end of Lake Wintergreen to the southerly crossing of Mountain Road. The Red Trail has a moderately wide, mostly non-technical surface between the main entrance and the base of the climb to the South Overlook. The climb to the South Overlook is far too steep for responsible riders to climb or descend. The Red Trail between Mountain Road is rugged single track with many roots and rocks for cyclists to negotiate. North of Mountain Road to Farm Brook Reservoir, the Red Trail is a wide, gravel road. At Farm Brook Reservoir, the Red Trail crosses a hay field that is periodically mowed during the summer. Follow a line of sight using the tree in the middle of the field as a guide. Re-enter the woods at the other end of the field, and the Red Trail becomes steep and narrow as it climbs to the overlook. Mountain bikers are reminded that bicycles are not permitted on the blue blazed Regicides Trail.

The White Trail is a wide woods road with a flat, non-technical surface along Lake Wintergreen. Between the northern end of Lake Wintergreen to its terminus at the Red Trail, the White Trail is moderately technical with roots and rocks and eroded sections of trail to negotiate.

Parking

A central access location for most park users is the parking lot near Lake Wintergreen. From Rt. 15, take Exit 60 (Rt. 10), and turn right to head south on Rt. 10. At the next traffic light past the parkway, turn right on Benham Street and take this to the end. Then turn left on Main Street and head south. At the turn in the road, turn right into the parking area. Another main parking area is on Wintergreen Avenue, just south of the Wilbur Cross Parkway, near the main entrance for West Rock Ridge. The parking area belongs to the adjacent West Rock Nature Center, and may be used to access either facility.

There is an unmarked lot for five cars on Hill Street, 0.15 miles south of West Shepard St. This lot is used primarily by people fishing at the unnamed flood control pond near Hill Street. The Red-White Dot connector trail starts here and leads up the ridge to the Red Trail, which then connects to the Regicides Trail. There is a unmarked lot for four cars on Mountain Road, across from 548 Mountain Road. This lot may be used to access the Yellow Trail, which is 0.30 miles west on Mountain Road, or the Red Trail, which is 0.10 miles east on Mountain Road.

The main entrance, which leads up to Judges Cave and the South Overlook, may be accessed off Rt. 15, Exit 59. From this exit, head south on Rt. 69 to the merge with Rt. 63 and continue heading south to Blake Street. Turn left on Blake Street, then left again on Springside Avenue, which merges with Wintergreen Avenue. The park entrance is on the left, shortly before the overpass for Rt. 15. There is limited roadside parking available at Judges Cave and ample parking at the South Overlook.

References

External links

*PDF| [http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/stateparks/maps/westrock.pdf DEP Trails Map for West Rock Park] |678 KB
* [http://www.ctxguide.com/ctxguide_057.htm West Rock Ridge Rock Climbing] (from Connecticut Explorer's Guide)