Fall Foliage Frolic at Old Furnace State Park in Killingly, October 11, 2025

[David Ostafin]

Join us on our Fall Foliage Frolic in Old Furnace State Park at 539 South Frontage Road in the Danielson section of Killingly, CT, on Saturday, October 11, 2025.  The park is named for an iron furnace constructed in 1831, which is no longer in operation.  Meet at 10:30 a.m. in the NORTH parking area (on South Frontage Road, off Route 6) for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m. The rain date is the following day, Sunday, October 12, 2025.  Our group has never before offered a hike in this state park, and thus it is a new addition to our repertoire of adventures.  This hike is gauged as EASY TO MODERATE (relatively short, but with some inclines), and includes awesome cliff views for leaf-peeping.  It is scheduled for when the locals believe there will be peak fall foliage of autumnal colors.  This hike will be led by member Mike Fusaro.

ABOUT THE HIKE:  There are several entrances to the park, with parking areas.  The trailhead of our hike is at the NORTH entrance on South Frontage Road, just off Route 6.  The goal of the hike is to reach the scenic cliffs, named Ross' Cliffs, which tower 200 feet and provide an uninterrupted view of the Town of Killingly and into Rhode Island.  The plan is to hike a loop that is a combination of blue, blue-orange, and orange-blazed trails.  The blue-blazed trail (Old Furnace Trail) is the older trail, and offers a short and steep climb to and from the cliffs.  The orange trail was added later, to make the ascent to, and descent from, the cliffs more gradual.  We will take the orange-blazed trail as much as possible to keep the hike flatter and less strenuous.  We will start on the blue, take the blue-orange, and then hike on the orange to the cliffs.  After viewing the area from the cliffs, we will briefly return to the blue, before returning to the parking area along Furnace Pond via the orange trail.  We will stop along the way to see the remnants of the old furnace and foundry.  The total length of the hike is about two and half miles, and will require approximately two hours to complete.

ABOUT THE PARK:  Old Furnace State Park is a 314 acre park located in the Danielson Section of Killingly, CT.  It contains two ponds:  Furnace Pond and Ross Pond.  The park is best known for its scenic Ross' Cliffs.  The park offers hiking, fishing, and boating, but is especially well-known for offering rocking climbing on its cliffs.  It has a long rock climbing history, dating back to the activities of the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC) in the 1950's.  The area was originally the site of an iron furnace during the 1830's and 1840's, when the property was owned by Zephaniah Young.  The furnace was built in 1831, and operated to produce iron products until 1847, at which time the foundry and furnace relocated to a site adjacent to the railroad on present-day Furnace Street in Danielson.  Only scant remnants of the old furnace and foundry are visible today in the park, in the area near Fall Brook between the two ponds.  The property changed hands several times until it became a town park in 1909.  The Town of Killingly sold 4.5 acres to the state in 1918.  By the 1940's more acreage was added and it became a state park.  It was given its name to reflect its early 19th century history.

Besides the cliffs, the park is also known for its many Canadian (Eastern) hemlock trees, which unfortunately have been damaged and defoliated in recent years by the invasive (non-native) aphid-like insect called the woolly adelgid. The park is also noteworthy for its many large pines.

NOTE:  As always, dress appropriately for hiking in the season, bring ample water for hydration, and read our Disclaimer (the group disclaims any liability; each participant is responsible for him/herself). Dogs on leash are welcome in this, as in all, state parks.  Bathroom facilities are not available (plan to stop along the way in Danielson, unless a secluded tree in the park will suffice).  Although we will avoid the steeper parts of the trails, the terrain of the park is at times uneven, inclined, and rocky.  Hikers should have appropriate footwear, and should consider using a walking stick for balance.

DIRECTIONS:  Set your GPS for "539 South Frontage Road, Danielson, CT."  This is the NORTH entrance to the park.  South Frontage Road is right off Route 6.  Get on Route 6 as soon as you can as you proceed to Connecticut's "quiet corner."  Meet at the parking lot, near the trail map, at 10:30 a.m. for a prompt departure at 11:00 a.m.

AFTER HIKE SOCIAL:  The optional after-hike social/luncheon will be at the Mexican Grill in the Dayville Section of Killingly:  1086 N. Main Street, Dayville, CT.  The restaurant is 4.3 miles from the parking area of the park (about an 8 minute drive).  

After lunch, some participants may want to visit Logee's, which is just down the road from the Mexican Grill.  Logee's is a greenhouse and plant store offering rare, exotic, and tropical plants for sale.  Inside its greenhouse one encounters a lush plant paradise where you can shop and explore.

David Ostafin and Giovani Querido