Parking to begin your walk can be found at N41 38.257 W72
50.836. Here you will also find a trail map and description of the
property.
This large tract is accessible from Flanders Road and offers
significant views of the valley below. Some trails are present
within the parcel and water features include Patton Brook and
associated wetlands. This site is a former orchard and offers great
diversity in its habitat.
During the fall of 2006 two of my sons and myself attended the
ribbon-cutting ceremony to officially open the property to the
public. We all walked the trails for the first time and enjoyed the
area and we hope you will too.
The 80-acre site features forest, fields and wetlands which was
purchased in 2001. Look for owls, red fox, baltimore orioles,
butterflies, deer, rabbits and more.
There are three trails:
- Red - Cardinal Loop - 1 mile featuring water crossings, steep
grade, open field and an orchard.
- Green - Hummingbird Trail - 1,000 feet of moderate terrain
which connects to the Cardinal loop for a little longer hike.
- Purple - Grackle Trail - 1,500 feet of moderate train with a
little gravel that extends the far loop of the Cardinal
loop.
To find this cache, start at the parking coordinates and take a
look at the trail guide. Go through the field on the left side as
you should see a tractor path through the left side of the field
and across to the beginning of the Cardinal Loop (N41 38.274 W72
50.944). You will see stakes painted red to mark your trail.
Continue along the red trail (N41 38.341 W72 51.009). You will come
to the intersection of the green trail (N41 38.400 W72 51.046)
which you can choose to extend your experience. Next up is the
4-way intersection (N41 38.304 W72 51.155) of the red loop and the
green trail coming out. I like going straight which will take you
to a narrow man-made bridge (N41 38.307 W72 51.215) over Patton
Brook. Continue on the red trail and you will come to a look-out
point (N41 38.210 W72 51.253). Nearby is the intersection of the
purple trail (N41 38.195 W72 51.265) which you could choose to do
for added adventure. I walked up this path to find a strange open
area where locals apparently hangout. Continue around and you will
see apple orchards. I think I spooked a deer as I heard a loud
thump through the woods. Now what are you waiting for... Go find
the cache. :) Please use the provided camera to photograph your
visit. Enjoy and please rehide well. Continue along the red loop
and you will cross the brook again before reconnecting with your
path in.
In addition to this site being an old apple orchard I wanted to
bring attention to a popular annual town event called the
Southington Apple Harvest
Festival. The Southington Apple Harvest Festival is a family
oriented community event spanning two weekends in September and
October. Six days of spectacular fun, delicious food, and live
entertainment showcase the organizations and groups that make
Southington a wonderful community in which to live and visit. Be
sure to try the famous apple fritters. :)