Leatherman's Cave Hike in Mattatuck State Forest, Watertown, CT

[David Ostafin]

Join us for a MODERATE hike along the Mattatuck Trail in Watertown, CT to one of the caves of the legendary Leatherman, the locally-famous vagabond dressed in leather who, for over thirty years, continually performed a 365-mile circuit walk through parts of Connecticut and New York.  We will hike to one of the shelters he used on his walk.  Meet at the Bidwell Hill Road parking lot in Watertown, CT, opposite Black Rock Lake, on Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m.  The rain date is uncertain, since the following day is Easter Sunday.

ABOUT THE HIKE: The plan is to meet at the parking lot on Bidwell Hill Road (426 Bidwell Road, Watertown, CT) , off Thomaston Road in Watertown.  The entrance to the road and the parking lot is located just a hundred feet or so from the entrance to Black Rock State Park (2065 thomaston Road, Watertown, CT).  We will hike from the parking lot along Bidwell Hill Road to access the beginning of what is called "The Leatherman Trail," which is a portion of the 42-mile Mattatuck Trail in Watertown and Thomaston.  At one point we will cross Route 6 before re-entering the wooded trail.  The hike to the Leatherman's Cave is less than a mile and half, but parts of the trail are MODERATE in intensity, because there are uphill ascents, including the hike up to Crane's Lookout, which offers a great 180-degree view NORTH  From Crane's Lookout we will descend to the cave, which can be entered for the full Leatherman experience.  It is a "fissure cave" (not an erosion cave) created by rock cracks and fractures, forming passages between rock cracks and dislocated piles of rock sheets.  Rather than continue the circular loop, we will return by backtracking the same route.  The return is designed to be easier, since more portions are downhill and, for our return, we will utilize the flat Route 6 to access the parking lot on Bidwell Hill Road.  The entire hike should not require much more than two hours, and the total length is less than three miles (although with some uphill/downhill challenges).  We categorize the hike as MODERATE due to the climbs and descents.   Hikers should be aware that this literal "walk in the park" is not an idiomatic "walk in the park." 

NOTES:  As always, read out DISCLAIMER (our group disclaims all liability; responsibility is assumed by each participant) and have sufficient drinking water for hydration on the hike.  Also, consider bringing a snack (e.g., trail mix, fruit, etc.) for our mid-hike break atop Crane's Lookout.  It is suggested that hikers have a walking stick (like the Leatherman used) to maintain  balance on some descents.  Wear adequate footwear for sufficient traction on rocky surfaces.  The nearest bathroom facilities are located in the nearby Black Rock State Park.  Dogs on leash are most welcome.

ABOUT THE LEATHERMAN:  The Leatherman was a leather-clad vagabond who continually walked a 365-mile circuit in Connecticut and New York for over 30 years (from 1857 until his death in 1889), staying in various caves and rock shelters along the way.  He was well-known to locals at the time, who would greet him and put out food stuff for him.  He was so widely liked that some municipalities passed ordinances specifically exempting him from Tramp Laws.  He would complete a full circuit of his route 10 or 11 times each year.  A map of his route can be find online (it includes many towns in Connecticut as well as in New York).  He spoke fluent French, but limited broken English.  His life story, how he ended up as the Leatherman, is lost to history.  He may have been born in Lyons, France.  Recent scholar suggests his name may have been Jules Bourlay (b. circa 1839), but his identity is far from certain.  When he was found dead on March 24, 1889 in Ossining, New York, a French prayer book was among his possessions.   He is buried in Sparta Cemetery in Ossining, NY.  One can visit the site where there is a marker to him, near where he died (address:  50 Revolutionary Road, Briarcliff Manor, NY).  He died of mouth cancer (he loved chewing tobacco!), not exposure (he had managed to survive the Blizzard of 1888!).  He had since entered Connecticut folklore.

DIRECTIONS:  You can use "426 Bidwell Hill Road, Watertown, Ct, 06795" as a GPS address for the parking lot.  Alternatively, head to Black Rock State Park (2065 Thomaston Road, Watertown, CT), but go past the park entrance a hundred feet or so to reach Bidwell Hill Road on the right, and the parking lot next to Black Rock Pond.  To get to the area, from points north and south, get on Route 8 and take Exit 8.

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL:  The optional after-hike social/luncheon will be at the nearby Senor Pancho's Mexican Restaurant, located at 360 Watertown Road, Thomaston, Ct (the website is:  http://senorpanchos.com).  The restaurant was won for "Best Burrito in Connecticut."  Their burrito is covered in their renowned "mole" sauce.  

David Ostafin and Giovani Querido