Sky’s The Limit # 10: Wadsworth Falls State Park

If you want to check on the hikes that I completed so far as part of this challenge, go here.

Prologue: A hiking challenge is going on this year by the Department of State Parks in the state of Connecticut where I live, “Sky’s The Limit”. We have to finish a hike in the chosen 20 Park and Forest locations before December 3rd this year Each location has some specific points of interest that the departments asks us to take pictures of and document them. Most of the Parks and Forests are located in an hours of driving distance, except a few. I decided to take this challenge and hopefully will be able to complete all of them. Here we go!

Next up is Wadsworth Falls State Park. This is # 10 on the list provided by DEEP. I am not following the order they have listed. I am just going to any hike I can whenever I can from that list. 🙂

This was the first hike that I did from this challenge, way back in May of this year. Named after New York National Guard Colonel Clarence C. Wadsworth, the entire 267 acres were preserved by him in order for the people to enjoy the beautiful Wadsworth Falls. The Coginchaug River flowing north along the fringe of the park had provided much needed industrial waterpower in the hay day of industrial revolution.

There have been several factories close to this state park and Coginchaug River over the decades – Pistol Factories in 1800s; Powder Mill Pond in 1794 manufacturing gunpowder. Now the area is preserved for nature walks; protect the flora and fauna; and also provide picnic area for people to enjoy the surroundings.

The Hiking Route and Trail Map & Information board.

Here is a Covered Bridge that connects the two sides of the park where the Coginchaug River flows below.

Oh don’t forget the stone arch bridges that we come across at every turn during the hikes. You can see one behind me in the pic below.

Other points of interest that we got to see along the way:

Painted Rocks thanking everyone

Beautiful Wadsworth Falls (Check out my post of the falls in a separate blog soon)

Giant Laurel Tree – I am told that Laurel plant is a shrub or bush; but doesn’t grow this tall. If you can see it among all the other trees behind!

And finally the Little Falls that I missed the first time I walked, but a friend shared it when she went back again a second time a few months later.

Beautiful hike, lovely waterfalls, and fun time with friends ended this hike.