Torrington - Burr Pond State Park

Date Hiked:  Monday, September 10, 2012
Number in Group: 7
Estimated distance round-trip: 2.5 miles
Weather:  Beautiful, crisp, fall-like day, 71°F
Resources:  Burr Pond State Park, Trail Map
Highlights of the trip: Views of the pond, rocks to climb on

What an absolutely perfect day for a hike.  The sun was bright, there was a little breeze and the temperatures were in the low 70's.  Our group met in the parking lot for the boat launch (no parking fee) and we proceeded counter-clockwise around the pond.

View from the boat launch parking area.

The first thing we noticed before we left the parking lot was a purple box hanging way up in a tree.

I had seen other, similar boxes, but this was the first time I had the opportunity to go to the base of the tree and see if I could find out what it was.  Sure enough, there was a tag attached to the rope.

There were so many interesting things to see, and we proceeded so slowly, that I think we have to say it was more of a saunter than a hike.  We would walk a little, then stop to look at rocks or trees, walk a little more and stop to look at mushrooms or ferns.  We also let the kids take some time to climb on some of the bigger rocks we came across.

I can't even venture a guess.

I believe this and the one below are birch polypore.

That is just so cool!

More I don't know.

Christmas Fern.

The kids had a blast climbing around on these huge rocks.

The octopus tree.

Dam near picnic area and beach.

Here is a little information about the dam from the DEP website:

In 1851, Milo Burr placed a dam across the confluence of several mountain streams impounding water for power. The tannery and three active sawmills erected downstream consumed the finest pines and oaks for miles around to meet the needs of lumber production. The clearings became homesites and Connecticut's industrial leadership was further strengthened. Burr Pond was designated as a state park in 1949.

Gail Borden, discoverer of the process of milk preservation by evaporation and condensation, built the world's first condensed milk factory here, in 1857. The new milk product proved to be of great value, particularly to the Union Army during the Civil War. Fire destroyed the mill in 1877. A bronze tablet marks its site, just below the falls.

We did not notice the bronze tablet.

We continued down the trail past the dam, crossed a stream and went up the trail to the other side of the dam near the picnic area.

The stream below the dam.

On the other side of the dam, we came across a few more interesting items that required a closer look.

Asiatic dayflower.

Large snail found at the dam.

View of pond from dam.

We left the area of the dam and walked past the picnic and beach areas back to our cars at the boat launch.  The beach area looked nice.  There was a large sandy stretch and the area around it was lightly wooded and had pavilions and picnic tables.  

Near the edge of the boat launch parking lot, there was a tall oak tree that caught my eye.  It grabbed my attention because all the leaves at the top of the tree were dead.  When I walked over for a closer look, I understood why.  The tree had obviously been hit by lightning.  The scar extended up the tree as far as I could see and long strips of bark had been blown off and were scattered around on the ground.

Wouldn't want to have witnessed that!

This hike is definitely worth doing again.  I suspect that autumn might be the best time to visit.  There were areas, especially in the first half of our hike, that I could see being pretty muddy/impassable in the spring.  I may have to come out again in a month when the leaves have changed color, maybe bring the kayaks.