{"id":12397,"date":"2020-06-15T15:03:12","date_gmt":"2020-06-15T19:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/e080cd0732.nxcli.io\/?p=12397"},"modified":"2020-06-26T15:00:14","modified_gmt":"2020-06-26T19:00:14","slug":"bear-hill-loop","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rockfallfoundation.org\/bear-hill-loop\/","title":{"rendered":"Off the Beaten Path: Bear Hill Loop"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1592424060011{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Bear Hill Loop Trail is a side trail off the Mattabesett Trail. It zig zags across the Mattabesett, creating several options for loops of different lengths. Use the map to create your own route, or follow our favorite option described below. June is a great time to try this hike to enjoy all the blooming mountain laurel. You\u2019ll also experience a variety of terrains, rocky ups and downs, and perhaps even find blueberries ripening in late June and July. There are views over the trees that are even nicer other times of year with less foliage. Another great hike for experiencing mountain laurel is Seven Falls Loop, described here<\/a>.
\nTo learn more about mountain laurel and other native flowers in bloom, visit the Everyone Outside blog<\/a>.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1592243597711{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Hike Overview<\/strong><\/span>
\nTotal length:<\/strong> 4.2 miles with shorter and longer options possible
\nDifficulty:<\/strong> Moderate
\nType:<\/strong> Lollipop loop
\nElevation change:<\/strong> \u00a0170 feet
\nTrails:<\/strong> Blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail and yellow-blue Bear Hill Loop Trail
\nReference:<\/strong> Connecticut Walk Book, pages 99, 102 and 106-7, Map 20-MB-01[\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1591808547827{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]GPS link to trailhead on Bear Hill Road, Middletown, CT<\/a><\/p>\n

Directions:<\/strong>
\nTake exit 11 off Route 9. Turn right onto Route 155\/Randolph Rd. In about a quarter mile you\u2019ll hit a traffic light. Turn right onto Saybrook Road and immediately keep left at the fork. In another quarter mile, make a slight left onto Brooks Road. In 0.7 miles turn right onto the unmarked Bear Hill Road. In 0.2 miles the trailhead is on your right.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1592423482713{margin-bottom: 0px !important;padding-top: 10px !important;}”]\n

Spring and summer scenery on the trail:<\/p>\n[\/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_slide” interval=”3″ images=”12455,12456,12453,12454,12457,12451,12452,12450″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”12418″ img_size=”full” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large” img_link_target=”_blank”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1593198009595{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]The hike begins at the K\u00e4tchen Coley Mountain Laurel Preserve sign. There are several dirt pull-off spots nearby to park. Begin following the blue blazes by the sign.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”12427″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1591890826434{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]In 0.2 miles you\u2019ll reach a utility corridor that you\u2019ll need to cross. Walking around the blazed pole, turn left to stay on the blue trail. You\u2019ll see stakes in the ground with blue blazes on them ahead.<\/p>\n

Reading blazes: When you see two blazes with the top one offset to the left, it indicates the trail makes a left turn. Conversely, if the top blaze is offset to the right, you\u2019d be turning right. Pictured here, the blue trail continues by turning left, and the yellow-blue trail begins by turning right.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”12428″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1592244304807{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]You\u2019ll re-enter the woods through a tunnel of mountain laurel. Continue following blue blazes.<\/p>\n

You will pass many unmarked trails as you continue. The trails described in this hike are generally well marked, so if you don\u2019t see blazes ahead of you or behind you, turn around and walk back the way you came until you can pick up the blazes again.<\/p>\n

Also, there are numerous places where the side of the trail is lined with blueberry and bilberry bushes that ripen by July. As always, don\u2019t eat anything you\u2019re not able to positively identify, though![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”12429″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1592244404036{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]When you come to a stream, cross it, walk around the blazed tree and turn right uphill.<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll find some blazes painted on the bedrock as you continue. Keeps an eye on both the ground and trees, as well as boulders.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”12436″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1592245135843{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]At 1.4 miles into the hike you\u2019ll be crossing a junction with the yellow-blue blazed Bear Hill Loop. We\u2019ll be coming back thru this junction. For now, stay on blue.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”12446″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1592245292119{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]As you begin emerging from the dense woodlands and gain elevation, you\u2019ll find increasingly rockier terrain and views through the trees.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”12438″ img_size=”medium” add_caption=”yes” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1591800904704{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]After crossing several sections of open face rock, perhaps resting to soak up the sun, you\u2019ll reach another junction with the yellow-blue trail. Here, the two trails merge for a few hundred yards. Turn right and you\u2019ll find yourself on the combined section, with alternating blazes of both blue and yellow-blue.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”12433″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1591891177538{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Continue to ascend a section of rock with a lovely little grove of twisted pitch pine trees at the top. This is where the two trails diverge again (the yellow-blue down hill to the left and the blue down hill to the right). If you look down the line of the yellow-blue trail you\u2019ll find a wide open view facing the north (one of the best views on the hike). For the hike described here, \u00a0this will be your turnaround point. To tack on another loop, see Alternative Options at the end of this post.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_slide” interval=”3″ images=”12442,12443,12444,12441″ img_size=”large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1591891208934{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Turn around and head back down the ledge on the combined trail. Begin looking for yellow-blue blazes and turn right here to start on the yellow-blue trail. This is another good section for finding blueberries.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_single_image image=”12448″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1\/2″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1591891236103{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]After a half mile you reach the intersection with the blue trail that you passed earlier in the hike.\u00a0 Turn right here to retrace your steps through the mountain laurel, utility corridor, and back to your car. Pictured here, you have to step over the deadwood on the right to make the turn. If you miss this turn, or need to shorten your hike, you may continue on the yellow-blue trail back through the utility corridor before rejoining the blue trail again; however, it is not recommended. The yellow-blue trail has unsightly damage from ATV use and some frequently muddy areas.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][vc_column width=”1\/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1588257602643{padding-bottom: 50px !important;}”][vc_single_image image=”12434″ img_size=”medium” onclick=”img_link_large”][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1591802731318{margin-bottom: 0px !important;}”]Alternative Options<\/strong><\/p>\n