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A Hike on the Naugatuck Forest Trail - Whittemore Trail - Beacon Cap Trail - Bethany Veteran's Memorial Park, CT

Posted by Brian Krilivsky - EXCURSIONS Journey To Health on 5th Mar 2016

Location: Naugatuck State Forest – Whittemore Trail to the Blue Naugatuck Trial, up Beacon Cap Trail and around Bethany Veterans Memorial Park. Bethany CT.

Date of Hike: March 5^th, 2016

Time: 11:30am

Weather: Partly cloudy, 34 degrees F

Distance: 4.06 miles

Duration: 2 hr 26 min (Avg. speed 1.6 mph, Max speed 4.5 mph)(overall a leisurely pace with stop for lunch)

Highest Elevation: 945 ft (elevation gain: 1092 ft)

Total Ascent: 1.41 miles Total Descent: 1.53 miles

Gear List: (for 2 people) 2 hydration packs(filled with 1.5 liters water each), hiking-trekking poles, first aid kit, 2 five in one survivor kits(whistle, compass, fire starter flint, signal mirror, waterproof match box), compass, pocket knife, trail map. (Our basic gear for a short day hike.) plus binoculars, and portable cell phone charger.

Parking/Directions: The best parking for this hike is at the Bethany Veterans Memorial Park. 265 Beacon Rd, Bethany, CT 06524. Ample parking down near the lake. Click Here for Directions

Wildlife Seen: Canada geese, blue jays, hawks, mallard ducks, chipmunks

Trail Map: (inside the yellow circle area)

Description: A moderate day hike loop. We parked at the Bethany Veteran’s Memorial Park down by the lake and walked back up the street, took a left on the street and crossed Route 42 to enter the Whittemore Trail. This blue-white blazed trail started with a moderate incline and traversed into the intricate forest. A good portion of the trail was rock lined which helps the trail from eroding away. Mountain Laurel was very abundant during this whole hike.

We took a right onto the blue blazed Naugatuck Trail followed that for about 1.3 miles where the Beacon Cap Trail intersects. The Beacon Cap Trail is the hardest part of the hike and while short was very steep with both stressful inclines and declines. This is a great stopping point for a snack or lunch as there are many overlooks/open spaces and places to rest on the large boulders.

We saw several hawks circling around the mountain top. After a snack, we trace our way back down the Beacon Cap Trail and take a left back onto the Blue Naugatuck Trail. We follow this all the way back to Route 42. We cross the street and enter the unmarked trail directly across the street. This trail brings you back to the Bethany Veteran’s Memorial Park. We stroll all the way around the lake over the footbridge and back to our parking spot. Overall a great excursion!