Hike at Mashamoquet Brook State Park - Wolf Den

[David Ostafin]

Join us this Thanksgiving Season for a 3.5 mile MODERATE hike at Mashamoquet Brook State Park (site of the Wolf Den) at 376 Mashamoquet Road (Route 44) in Pomfret, CT on Saturday, November 16, 2024.  Meet at 10:30 a.m. for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m.  The rain date is the following day, Sunday, November 17, 2024.

It has been nine years since our group did this hike (November 21, 2015).  The Chiltern Mountain Club, the first LGBT outdoor group in New England (founded by Sturgis Haskins in 1978) established a tradition of a November "Turkey Tramp" at this Connecticut state park during the month of November, near the Thanksgiving holiday.  We are attempting to resurrect this tradition, at least for this year.

ABOUT THE HIKE:  We will meet at 10:30 a.m. at the parking area next to the bridge over the Mashomoquet Brook, which is the second parking area on the right as you drive into Mashamoquet Brook State Park from Route 44.  From the bridge we will hike the yellow-blazed trail to the red-blazed trail, and then hike the red-blazed trail loop clockwise to return to the yellow-blazed trail, and then return to the parking area.  The 3.5 mile hike is deemed MODERATE because there are some inclines/declines, with rocky areas requiring some navigation.  The return part of the loop, however, will be mostly flat.

The hike offers three (3) points of interest:  (1) the Indian Chair of Mohegan Chief Uncas, a throne-shaped rock overlooking a ledge from which, legend has it, Chief Uncas would survey his realm; (2) the Table Rock, a big shelf of flat metamorphic rock in the shape of a table and, most notably, (3) the historic Wolf Den, a natural fissure into a rock ledge where Israel Putnam, in 1724, is fabled to have killed the last wolf in Connecticut.  The wolf was preying on livestock, and Putnam made himself a local hero by killing it.  It is possible to crouch part of the way into the Wolf Den, but one must crawl on hands-and-knees to reach the end.  There is a plaque laid into the stone to the right of the entrance that tells the story of "Putnam and the Wolf" with the motto:  HE DARED TO LEAD WHERE OTHERS DARED TO FOLLOW.  Putnam later achieved a national reputation as a Major General in the American Revolution, but failed to be promoted to Commander-in-Chief in 1774 because, at the age of 56, he was considered too old for the job (otherwise, Washington D.C. might have been Putnam D.C.; but Putnam did lend his name to a Connecticut municipality).

As always, dress appropriately for the season, including proper waterproof footwear.  Read our DISCLAIMER in the ABOUT US section of the group.  Bring ample water for proper hydration.  Dogs on leash are welcome on the trails.  The hike, including the time spent at each of the three points of interest, will be about two and half hours.  Bring a small snack for our first stop at the Indian Chair.  There are restroom facilities in the parking area.

ABOUT THE PARK:  Steeped in history, legend, and folklore, Mashamoquet Brook State Park offers hiking, camping, and fishing.  "Mashamoquet" is the Mohegan word for "stream of good fishing."  It was once the domain of Mohegan Chief Uncas (historical events pushed the tribe south).  The Daughters of the American Revolution purchased the major parcel in 1988, and then sold it to the State in 1942 for their original purchase price.  The State then added to it an adjacent parcel gifted by Sarah Fay.  There were other purchases and gifts (including a 1957 gift of the Hotchiking Wolf Den Farm) which all combined to create a state park in 1919 of over 1000 acres.

DIRECTIONS:  The Park is located on Route 44 in Pomfret, CT.  From Hartford and points South and West, take I-84 East to Route 44 East (Exit 69), then stay on Route 44 until you reach Pomfret.  The approximate GPS address of the park is "376 Mashomoquet Road (Route 44), Pomfret, CT."  Once you are on Route 44 in Pomfret, look for the brown sign of the park.

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL:  The optional after-hike social will be at the Vanilla Bean Cafe, located at 456 Deerfield Road, Pomfret Center, CT (at the intersection of Route 169, Route 44, and Route 97), a 10-minute drive from the park.   This locavore restaurant, located in an early 19th century bar, is known for its homemade soups and award-winning chili, as well as its distinctive chowders, sandwiches, burgers, and baked goods.  To view the menu, visit the restaurant's webpage:  https://thevanillabeancafe.com.

David Ostafin and Giovani Querido