Embedded Files
Crystal Pond at Camp Nahaco - Woodstock/Eastford, CT
3. Camp Nahaco/Crystal Pond
Check back for updates as this walk will be recorded with GPS and posted on EveryTrail.com by September 2013.
The Old Connecticut Path entered Eastford at the southwest corner of Woodstock in the area that is now the Camp Nahaco conservation area on Crystal Pond. The route of the Path followed a corridor south of Crystal Pond through the conservation area. Crystal Pond is one of the chain of ponds found along the route of the Old Connecticut Path (i.e. Massachusetts: Lake Cochituate - Natick, Larned Pond - Framingham, Whitehall Pond - Hopkinton, Manchaug Pond - Sutton, Webster Lake - Webster; and Connecticut: Crystal Pond - Eastford and Shenipsit Pond - Tolland). These ponds were favored by the Indians for villages and camp sites along the Native trails.
Click on the map (left) to enlarge. A sample of views along the walk is shown right (click to enlarge).
The trail system leads from the parking area to the waterfront and then loops within the woods in the area where the Old Connecticut Path crossed.
Camp Nahaco & Crystal Pond lie along the route of the Old Connecticut Path as mapped by Ellen Larned on the "Map of Ancient Windham County".
For more information about the Old Connecticut Path in this area with videos, please see the Old Connecticut Path web pages:
2.50 Hidden Byways from Hopkins Hill to Crystal Pond: Woodstock, CT
Camp Nahaco is a 134-acre primarily forested property straddling the Eastford/Woodstock town line (in the southwestern corner of Woodstock), with about 2,500 feet of frontage on Crystal Pond. The property abuts approximately 300 acres of privately owned, permanently protected open space. It contains a 2.5 acre trout pond, approximately 1/2 mile of Hall's Brook, and recreational trails. Visitors today can walk on trails within Camp Nahaco that lie within the corridor followed by the Old Connecticut Path. Access to Camp Nahaco from Woodstock from RT 171/Bigelow Hollow Road, Kenyonville Road to Crystal Pond Road. Access from Eastford at RT 198 is by Westford Road to Weeks Road. Park in the lot next to the gate for Camp Nahaco. A trail map has been developed by the Camp Nahaco Park Commission.A more detailed map with suggested walks will be posted during Summer 2013.
Walker Road to Yale Forest & Natchaug State Forest - Eastford, Connecticut
4. Yale Forest/Natchaug State Forest
The 1.0 mile walk along old Walker Road (closed to vehicles) takes you deep into Yale-Meyers Forest and Natchaug State Forest where the Old Connecticut Path crossed Bigleow Brook on large stepping stones. A beaver dam on Walker Road, stone remains of the Twelfth District School site and the Shippey farm await exploration along the way.
The route of the Old Connecticut Path as mapped by Ellen Larned on the "Map of Ancient Windham County" passes through Yale-Meyers Forest and Natchaug State Forest in this area to reach the ancient crossing place on Bigelow Brook.
Walker Road leads from Westford Road. Park on the right side of Kozey Road and walk to Walker Drive (first driveway on right). Pass the one house on Walker Drive to continue onto the old Walker Road. Click on the map (above) to enlarge. A sample of views along the walk is shown right (click to enlarge).
EveryTrail: the "OCP: Walker Road to Bigelow Brook" walk is now recorded with GPS and photos. Use the free EveryTrail app for iPhone/Android to guide you along the walk. For a tour with slide show and guide, visit OCP: Walker Road to Bigelow Brook on EveryTrail
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For more information, visit the Old Connecticut Path web pages:
2.55 Walker Road to Bigelow Brook Crossing - Eastford, CT
2.60 Chism School to Crystal Pond - Eastford, CT
2.65 Walking to School in the 1860s-1870s – Ashford/Eastford, Connecticut
RETURN TO: OCP CONNECTICUT WALKS
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