Pine Knob Loop Path

July 10, 2022 – Sharon, Connecticut

Problem: Reasonable – Strenuous

Size: Roughly 2.8 miles

Max elevation: 1,158 ft.– complete elevation acquire roughly 814 ft.

Route kind: Circuit

Map: Housatonic Meadows State Park Trail Map

Avenza Map: Housatonic Meadows State Park Avenza Trail Map

Trailhead parking: US-7 – Sharon, CT 06069

No entrance or parking charges – No bogs on web site

Gravel car parking zone for about 20-25 automobiles

Open from 8am to sundown.

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Overview:

The Pine Knob Loop Path is situated in Housatonic Meadows State Park and Housatonic State Forest on the west facet of the Housatonic River, north of Cornwall Bridge. A brief and difficult path, it’s coaligned with the Appalachian Path for about 0.7 mile. Hikers will take pleasure in scenic vistas over the Housatonic River Valley. The path is accessible from a devoted lot on US-7 in Sharon, Connecticut and in addition from the state park’s campground and group tenting space by way of unmarked trails.

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Historical past:

From the mid-eighteenth century till the early twentieth century, the world was residence to a thriving iron trade. The foundries and blast furnaces have been heated by charcoal to the acute temperatures required to soften uncooked iron ore into molten crude, or pig iron. The charcoal was produced by itinerant colliers who chopped wooden minimize from the forested hills, stacked it into big mounds, and burned and smoked it over a number of weeks. Stays of those fireside websites (flat round areas) could be seen alongside a number of the trails. Greater than 3,000 acres of authentic purchases for Housatonic State Forest have been from one iron firm in 1927.

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Trails Overview:

The Pine Knob Loop Path is a part of the Connecticut Blue-Blazed Mountaineering Path System, With greater than 825 miles marked with blue rectangular blazes. The Connecticut Forest & Park Affiliation (CFPA) established the Blue-Blazed Mountaineering Path System in 1929, when the Quinnipiac Path was created. These trails move by 88 cities traversing each private and non-private lands.

The Pine Knob Loop Path might be the preferred hike within the space and affords good views from close to the highest of Pine Knob of the encircling hills. If doing the hike counterclockwise as described right here, the route is harder and at instances you’ll have to make use of each your fingers and toes to climb over a number of the steeper rocky sections.

Going clockwise, the ascent isn’t as steep, however the descent can be.

The path is properly marked in most locations, however there are specific areas that would use an additional blaze or two.

Please Be aware: The path travels over massive sections of slanted rock slabs which might be hazardous if moist or icy. A very good pair of climbing boots with good gripping soles is really helpful for this hike. 

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Hike Overview:

That is a type of hikes that I’ve had on my listing for a number of years. From what I learn, the Pine Knob Loop Path might be the preferred hike within the space. Since it’s about 1-1/2 hours from my residence base, it meant getting there early to safe a parking spot and beat the crowds. After we arrived on the trailhead car parking zone on a Sunday in July at about 8:30am, there have been three automobiles within the lot. On the conclusion of the hike, the lot was full.

Each time attainable, in an effort to save lots of my knees, I want to do steeper uphills and extra reasonable descents. A number of hike experiences that I learn stated that the popular route is counterclockwise, however on the day of this hike, it appeared that everybody was doing it clockwise. As we handed a few hikers and exchanged pleasantries, certainly one of them commented “you went up the arduous approach.” I answered “I assume so.”

There are a number of stream crossings and waterfalls that have been dry on our go to, however I’ve seen pictures posted by others on social media that have been spectacular.

This hike begins and ends on the Pine Knob Loop trailhead on US-7 in Sharon, Connecticut. As said beforehand, this specific hike was achieved counter clockwise, however you possibly can select the route that you just want.

It’s a steep climb early on, gaining about 630 toes of elevation in beneath a mile to get to the primary viewpoint. As soon as on the first viewpoint, the majority of the elevation is completed.

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The Hike:

On the northern finish of the car parking zone there’s a mild blue blaze painted on a tree. That’s the begin of the Pine Knob Loop Path. You’ll be following the blue blazes for the complete hike. Proceed forward on a footpath that enters the woods and shortly crosses Hatch Brook on massive rocks. After passing by a break in a stone wall, the path involves the beginning of the loop. Both approach that you just go, will carry you again to that spot if you happen to comply with the blue blazes.

To proceed within the course of the hike as described right here, flip proper on the Pine Knob Loop Path which borders a stone wall at first, then passes by it. The path slowly positive factors elevation because it travels by the closely wooded tract. The path quickly crosses an intermittent stream and begins to climb Pine Knob on switchbacks, gaining elevation shortly.

In case you are fortunate, you might even see water cascading down this rock.

The path ranges off briefly, then steepens once more. Because the path positive factors elevation, you could possibly catch glimpses of the encircling countryside by the timber. Extra so throughout leaf-off season. Because the Pine Knob Loop Path turns into much more steep, you could have to make use of each fingers and toes to climb over some massive rocks.

The path travels over some large rock slabs and ledges because it winds its approach up Pine Knob.

In slightly below a mile from the beginning and after about 630 toes of elevation acquire, the path reaches an east-facing viewpoint over the closely forested hills of Mine Mountain, Dean Hill and Coltsfoot Mountain, amongst others.

The perfect factor about this view is you can’t see something that’s man-made anyplace.

Excessive warning needs to be exercised right here, particularly if moist or icy. The path goes straight throughout, however you possibly can veer to the left to keep away from this slanted rock ledge. There’s a steep drop-off right here.

The 1,120-foot-high overlook is full of rock ledges surrounded by white pines, pitch pines, scrub oak, and fallen needles cowl the bottom. A pleasant place to take a seat and relaxation from the steep climb, as you gaze out on the Housatonic River Valley.

The path climbs some extra then descends steeply right into a hole. The scant blazing on this space makes the path somewhat arduous to comply with. On the base of the descent, bear left barely and search for the properly crushed path.

A brief distance later, the path reaches a junction with the white-blazed Appalachian Path, which is straight forward. Flip left, now following the co-aligned Pine Knob Loop/Appalachian Path.

The signal on the opposite facet of the tree. You may’t see it as you strategy the junction.

For the following 3/4-mile, you can be following each the white and blue blazes. Pay extra consideration to the blue blazes as the 2 trails will ultimately half.

The path now begins to climb regularly, with some quick steep sections. In about 0.4 mile, from the junction with the AT, the path reaches one other east-facing viewpoint.

This view, though related, isn’t as good because the earlier one.

From the perspective, the joint Pine Knob Loop/AT descends steadily. In about 0.3 mile from the perspective, the 2 trails cut up. Flip left to stay on the blue-blazed Pine Knob Loop Path.

Now following solely the blue blazes, the path continues to descend on a large footpath, paralleling then quickly crossing an un-named mountain stream.

Quickly the path approaches and borders Hatch Brook. Because the path descends by the Hatch Brook ravine, it passes a number of massive boulders and shortly runs alongside the sting of the scenic brook.

The path then widens to a slender woods highway, passing extra attention-grabbing boulders. In about 0.7 mile from the junction with the AT, the path closes the loop, crosses Hatch Brook and returns to the car parking zone, the place the hike started.

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Evaluate:

The views are very nice, not the most effective that I’ve seen, however very nice. The hike itself was enjoyable and difficult on the identical time. It bought the blood pumping early and sometimes. It was an excellent name to do that hike in a counterclockwise course. The ultimate mile was a lot simpler on the knees. This place can entice crowds so I’d recommend getting an early begin.

Professionals:

Good views, largely properly marked trails, Appalachian Path, attention-grabbing rock formations, good water options throughout moist intervals.

Cons:

Some highway noise could be heard on sure areas of the path, largely dry streams and cascades.

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Take a hike!

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Sources:

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