CT State Stamp Series: Middlesex County LbNA #7996
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Apr 25, 2004 |
| Location: | |
| City: | East Haddam |
| County: | Middlesex |
| State: | Connecticut |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | SwampYankee&Sunshine  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | Nairon |
| Last found: | Jan 16, 2022 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF |
| Last edited: | Apr 25, 2004 |
Chapman Pond Preserve, which includes the 60-acre Chapman Pond, is a 700-acre preserve in East Haddam owned by the nature conservancy. The trail is a white blazed loop; about 3 miles long, mostly on an old cart path, and slopes aren’t steep. It includes several stream and brook crossings so water proof hiking shoes are strongly advised.
From Route 9 take exit 7 for Route 82. At the bottom of the exit ramp turn left on Rt. 82 east. At the light turn right, go over the East Haddam Bridge and stay on Rt. 82 through East Haddam and up the hill out of town. At the stop sign turn right to continue on Rt. 82. After 1.2 miles look for the sign for the right hand turn for Gillette’s Castle and turn onto River Road. The entrance for the park is at the apex of the sharp left hand turn just before the large left turn arrow sign. SUV’s and pickup trucks can drive in the short distance to the small grassy area and park; low ground clearance cars should park on the road near the entrance.
Shortly after leaving the grassy area you will come to the intersection with the return trail. You will want to go straight at 250 degrees for a clockwise loop. The trail continues generally down hill to the shore of Chapman Pond. If you look across the pond you will see an inlet. This is the great ditch and it isn’t a natural stream. In the late 1800’s a dispute between commercial shad fisherman and a local landowner caused the landowner to block the natural outlet at the southern end of the pond. So the fisherman dug “the great ditch”.
The trail then follows the shore of the pond in a northwest direction past part of and old foundation. This foundation is part of a house built by a local tobacco grower. A later owner of the property made oyster shell buttons and buttons still turn up on the property from time to time. The house was destroyed by fire in 1971. As you walk along the pond take your time and watch for birds. We spotted a pair of adult bald eagles the day we planted the box. As the trail begins to climb and the pond changes over to marsh continue walking up hill and look to the west for a small knoll down the slope toward the pond. If you get to the turn where the trail heads north with your back to the pond, stop. The knoll is back at 190 degrees about 100 yards away. Hike down to the knoll and find a low stonewall on the far side. From the high point where the wall crosses the knoll look across the wall to the left about 7 steps to find a large three sister tree. In the space between the sisters find the Middlesex County letterbox.
After stamping in and rehiding the box, go back to the trail and continue following the white blazes. There are a couple of short detours to avoid muddy spots, as the trail travels past scenic waterfalls and through hard wood forests to find your way back to your car.
From Route 9 take exit 7 for Route 82. At the bottom of the exit ramp turn left on Rt. 82 east. At the light turn right, go over the East Haddam Bridge and stay on Rt. 82 through East Haddam and up the hill out of town. At the stop sign turn right to continue on Rt. 82. After 1.2 miles look for the sign for the right hand turn for Gillette’s Castle and turn onto River Road. The entrance for the park is at the apex of the sharp left hand turn just before the large left turn arrow sign. SUV’s and pickup trucks can drive in the short distance to the small grassy area and park; low ground clearance cars should park on the road near the entrance.
Shortly after leaving the grassy area you will come to the intersection with the return trail. You will want to go straight at 250 degrees for a clockwise loop. The trail continues generally down hill to the shore of Chapman Pond. If you look across the pond you will see an inlet. This is the great ditch and it isn’t a natural stream. In the late 1800’s a dispute between commercial shad fisherman and a local landowner caused the landowner to block the natural outlet at the southern end of the pond. So the fisherman dug “the great ditch”.
The trail then follows the shore of the pond in a northwest direction past part of and old foundation. This foundation is part of a house built by a local tobacco grower. A later owner of the property made oyster shell buttons and buttons still turn up on the property from time to time. The house was destroyed by fire in 1971. As you walk along the pond take your time and watch for birds. We spotted a pair of adult bald eagles the day we planted the box. As the trail begins to climb and the pond changes over to marsh continue walking up hill and look to the west for a small knoll down the slope toward the pond. If you get to the turn where the trail heads north with your back to the pond, stop. The knoll is back at 190 degrees about 100 yards away. Hike down to the knoll and find a low stonewall on the far side. From the high point where the wall crosses the knoll look across the wall to the left about 7 steps to find a large three sister tree. In the space between the sisters find the Middlesex County letterbox.
After stamping in and rehiding the box, go back to the trail and continue following the white blazes. There are a couple of short detours to avoid muddy spots, as the trail travels past scenic waterfalls and through hard wood forests to find your way back to your car.