Belding Wildlife Management Area
Part forest, part wetlands, and flowing river, the Belding Wildlife Management Area is a forest not unlike a fairy tale. This amazing park is now owned by the state of Connecticut for your enjoyment. As you marvel at the height of the trees in this forest, keep in mind this is only about 50-60 years of growth. Pine trees forest are not well established in Connecticut; as the trees were removed for there soft pine and used in the buildings of this state.
One could only imagine living here, but no one lives here anymore and that is why it is so tranquil. There is a vast river system and the streams all merge here, so you are always close to cold clear water and shaded by the vast forest that runs through this deep valley.
Choose the loop trails which are marked in blue and yellow, they are joined together by a fire road toward the back 1/3 of this forest. The blue trail continues out of the forest and onto Walker reservoir, as it is part of the Shenipsit trail system. However the yellow trail winds along the outer edge of the pine forest and brings you back to the Norway Spruce and Pine Forest.
This trail will take you all the way around through the entire Eco-system, multiple types of trees of all varieties exist here. Tall straight Eastern White Pine commonly used for sailing ship's mast, blot out the sun in some places making a hot day much cooler.
Keep an eye open for an elusive sight in Connecticut that is the Black Racer, a small mink like creature that lives in this very forest. We have encountered these fury racers only in Spring, and they are so quick the camera never seems to be ready.
Belding Forest is also connected to the trail system of Valley Falls and Webster Preserve via the Belding Preserve marked as a blue trail and then a white trail through a parcel of hill land just above the fields on Bread and Milk road. It is easy to find, although the parking is tricky it does exist at one of three entrances. Use the Google map to find this place and its three or four parking areas. One is located at Reservoir Road, one is on the side of Bread and Milk Road, another is on Valley Falls Road below the Webster Preserve sign and one is at the end of Tamarac Lane in a neighborhood off Baker Road.
For more info:
View Belding Wildlife Management Area in a larger map
For a Great trail Guide click here.
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