Posted By auntie on August 6, 2016

2.06 miles; Ledyard, CT

On the drive to the Avery Preserve hike I passed a sign for this preserve, owned by the Nature Conservancy of Connecticut. Both because the first hike was so short and because I am constitutionally unable to pass by a trailhead without at least checking it out, a friend and I decided to explore it.

Preserve Trailhead Sign

There are so many rules!

Also, there were SO VERY MANY GNATS. So very, very many… It was quite maddening to have the little bastiches constantly flying into your nose, ears, eyes, and mouth. Thank heaven they weren’t the biting kind of gnats.

My friend and were also tormented by the ridiculously high humidity (Is it possible for it to be higher than 100% without actually raining? Because that’s what it felt like.) and the heat. So yes, I would like some cheese with that whine, thanks for asking.

That aside, I really liked, or I should say, I would have liked this hike a lot. It’s not long but the terrain is quite varied, and the woods are very open. We also passed through a small stretch where there had been a fire, but it had to have been a while ago, as there wasn’t even any burned smell.

Poquetanuck Cove

And as the name promised, you do eventually come out to Poquetanuck Cove, which is a long cove off the Thames River. There is also some great kayaking to be had on this cove, but be sure to come during high tide, as it’s very shallow, and during low tide you’re likely to get stuck.

The trail is a lollipop loop, although you won’t find a trail map at the Nature Conservancy website, as usual, although you can go to the “Comments” tab on that web page where some kind soul has posted a gps track. Also, you will see that TNC is “currently creating maps for a dozen of our preserves in Connecticut, including Poquetanuck Cove Preserve. We should have those ready in a month or two.” This reply is dated 2 years ago. Breath not being held.

Categories: Connecticut, Walks and Hikes
Tags: 2 miles or less, CT, Ledyard CT