PENWOOD STATE PARK:
BLOOMFIELD, CONNECTICUT
-BIKE IT OR HIKE IT-
Letterbox Planted: July 24, 2002
Last Updated: February 01, 2024
Length: Park Road and Pinnacle Loop; 4.5 mile Loop
Difficulty: Difficult. Mountain bike recommended. Not recommended for kids on bikes. Trail consists of stone dust and an old road. Some long, steep sections.
Directions:
From I-84 take exit 50 to Route 44 west for 2.5 miles. Turn right on Route 189 north and go 0.8 miles. Turn left onto Route 185 west and go 5 miles. The park entrance will be on the right, look for the sign. The Park Entrance parking lot is on your right. To park at the Shadow Pond parking lot, go up the narrow East Side Road to the right of the closed gate. Come to an intersection and head left up to the parking lot after about 1.5 miles.
The Ranger Station is located at the Shadow Pond parking lot, along with facilities and picnic tables. For more information visit; PENWOOD STATE PARK .
Starting from the Park Entrance parking lot [Southern End]; The closed gate on your left leads to the old Old West Side Road. Travel right, North, along the East Side Road, past Gale Pond along your right. After only 0.1 miles, you'll spot a path to the right that runs along the road. Head North down this path that consists of stone dust and crushed stone. Downhill grade, except for the last section that brings you up to East Side Road at 1.3 miles.
Note; Right, South, down East Side Road brings you to the Ranger Station.
Travel left, North, passing the restroom building on your right and coming to an intersection.
Note; Right, North, will bring you to the Shadow Pond parking lot. Picnic area here.
Follow the East Side Road to the left, where it turns sharply left, South. Look right to see a closed gate at 1.4 miles. Go around this gate and head North up the paved Old East Side Road. This is a steep climb and after 0.4 miles the road levels off next to a *Picnic Table, behind which is a boardwalk that leads out to a platform overlooking Lake Louise. The Old West Side Road continues to the left, South. Head right, North, uphill along the Old East Side Road. After about 0.25 miles the trail splits. This is actually just a Loop. Continue right, Northeast, up the trail, where you'll soon level off at the Northern End of the Loop.
Note; To your right, North, is the "blue" Metacomet Trail that takes you up a short hike to the Pinnacle. A very scenic overlook of the Farmington River Valley, with a view of Talcott Mountain and the Heublin Tower to the left. About 0.7 miles of the way up to the Pinnacle, look for an old section of telephone pole used as a step along the trail. It's next to an Oak tree with a blue marker only 14 paces (1 pace = 2 steps) from the top. Stand on this pole and take a compass reading of 196 degrees. You'll see a grassy knoll and sight a Cedar tree. Look behind the Cedar tree and remove the top flat rock to reveal the Penwood State Park Letterbox. After continuing to the Pinnacle and enjoying the view, head back down to the Northern End of the Loop.
Continue Southwest, down the Loop back to the *Picnic Table. This has been about a 2.5 mile trip from the entrance, including the Loop.
You have 2 Options from here:
Option 1; You can head left, South, back down the Old East Side Road returning to the Park Entrance parking lot.
Option 2; You can head right, South, along the Old West Side Road, however, the pavement is in much worse shape and you still have some climbing to do if you choose to follow this route.
Continuing right, South, along Option 2 following the Old West Side Road, you'll encounter another steep hill. As you climb this hill you'll spot a yellow trail to your right.
Note; If your hiking, take this trail which will bring you to the Cedar Ridge Overlook.
Continuing up the hill you'll come to where it levels off. A trail to the right takes you to the overlook. This is about a 0.5 miles from Lake Louise. Another nice scenic overlook of the Farmington River Valley. Continue on the park road, which is now almost all downhill, back down to the Park Entrance parking lot. The old road is very rough here. About a 4.5 mile Loop.
HH
LETTERBOX LAST VERIFIED ON
NOVEMBER 27, 2015
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BIKE IT OR HIKE IT