July 10, 2022 – Sharon, Connecticut
Issue: Reasonable – Strenuous
Size: Roughly 2.8 miles
Max elevation: 1,158 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 814 ft.
Route sort: Circuit
Map: Housatonic Meadows State Park Path Map
Avenza Map: Housatonic Meadows State Park Avenza Path Map
Trailhead parking: US-7 – Sharon, CT 06069
No entrance or parking charges – No loos on web site
Gravel parking zone for about 20-25 automobiles
Open from 8am to sundown.
Overview:
The Pine Knob Loop Path is situated in Housatonic Meadows State Park and Housatonic State Forest on the west facet of the Housatonic River, north of Cornwall Bridge. A brief and difficult path, it’s coaligned with the Appalachian Path for about 0.7 mile. Hikers will take pleasure in scenic vistas over the Housatonic River Valley. The path is accessible from a devoted lot on US-7 in Sharon, Connecticut and likewise from the state park’s campground and group tenting space by way of unmarked trails.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Historical past:
From the mid-eighteenth century till the early twentieth century, the realm was house to a thriving iron trade. The foundries and blast furnaces had been heated by charcoal to the intense temperatures required to soften uncooked iron ore into molten crude, or pig iron. The charcoal was produced by itinerant colliers who chopped wooden lower from the forested hills, stacked it into enormous mounds, and burned and smoked it over a number of weeks. Stays of those fireplace websites (flat round areas) could be seen alongside among the trails. Greater than 3,000 acres of authentic purchases for Housatonic State Forest had been from one iron firm in 1927.
Trails Overview:
The Pine Knob Loop Path is a part of the Connecticut Blue-Blazed Mountaineering Path System, With greater than 825 miles marked with blue rectangular blazes. The Connecticut Forest & Park Affiliation (CFPA) established the Blue-Blazed Mountaineering Path System in 1929, when the Quinnipiac Path was created. These trails cross by means of 88 cities traversing each private and non-private lands.
Flip proper – Pine Knob Loop Path
The Pine Knob Loop Path might be the most well-liked hike within the space and gives good views from close to the highest of Pine Knob of the encompassing hills. If doing the hike counterclockwise as described right here, the route is tougher and at occasions you’ll have to make use of each your palms and toes to climb over among the steeper rocky sections.
Going clockwise, the ascent is just not as steep, however the descent will probably be.
The path is properly marked in most locations, however there are particular areas that would use an additional blaze or two.
Please Word: The path travels over massive sections of slanted rock slabs which might be hazardous if moist or icy. A great pair of mountaineering boots with good gripping soles is advisable for this hike.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Hike Overview:
That is a type of hikes that I’ve had on my listing for a number of years. From what I learn, the Pine Knob Loop Path might be the most well-liked hike within the space. Since it’s about 1-1/2 hours from my house base, it meant getting there early to safe a parking spot and beat the crowds. Once we arrived on the trailhead parking zone on a Sunday in July at about 8:30am, there have been three automobiles within the lot. On the conclusion of the hike, the lot was full.
Pine Knob Loop Trailhead at 8:30am on a Sunday in July.
Each time doable, in an effort to save lots of my knees, I choose to do steeper uphills and extra average descents. A number of hike reviews that I learn stated that the popular route is counterclockwise, however on the day of this hike, it appeared that everybody was doing it clockwise. As we handed a few hikers and exchanged pleasantries, certainly one of them commented “you went up the arduous manner.” I answered “I suppose so.”
There are a number of stream crossings and waterfalls that had been dry on our go to, however I’ve seen pictures posted by others on social media that had been spectacular.
This hike begins and ends on the Pine Knob Loop trailhead on US-7 in Sharon, Connecticut. As acknowledged beforehand, this explicit hike was executed counter clockwise, however you may select the route that you just choose.
Pine Knob Loop Path
It’s a steep climb early on, gaining about 630 toes of elevation in underneath a mile to get to the primary viewpoint. As soon as on the first viewpoint, the majority of the elevation is completed.
elevation profile – Pine Knob Loop Path
The Hike:
On the northern finish of the parking zone there’s a mild blue blaze painted on a tree. That’s the begin of the Pine Knob Loop Path. You may be following the blue blazes for your entire hike. Proceed forward on a footpath that enters the woods and shortly crosses Hatch Brook on massive rocks. After passing by means of a break in a stone wall, the path involves the beginning of the loop. Both manner that you just go, will carry you again to that spot should you observe the blue blazes.
Pine Knob Loop Path
dry stream crossing – Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Flip proper – Pine Knob Loop Path
Flip proper – Pine Knob Loop Path
To proceed within the path of the hike as described right here, flip proper on the Pine Knob Loop Path which borders a stone wall at first, then passes by means of it. The path slowly beneficial properties elevation because it travels by means of the closely wooded tract. The path quickly crosses an intermittent stream and begins to climb Pine Knob on switchbacks, gaining elevation rapidly.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
In case you are fortunate, you might even see water cascading down this rock.
dry cascade – Pine Knob Loop Path
The path ranges off briefly, then steepens once more. Because the path beneficial properties elevation, you might be able to catch glimpses of the encompassing countryside by means of the bushes. Extra so throughout leaf-off season. Because the Pine Knob Loop Path turns into much more steep, you might have to make use of each palms and toes to climb over some massive rocks.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
The path travels over some large rock slabs and ledges because it winds its manner up Pine Knob.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
In just below a mile from the beginning and after about 630 toes of elevation acquire, the path reaches an east-facing viewpoint over the closely forested hills of Mine Mountain, Dean Hill and Coltsfoot Mountain, amongst others.
Pine Knob Loop Path
One of the best factor about this view is which you can’t see something that’s man-made wherever.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Excessive warning ought to be exercised right here, particularly if moist or icy. The path goes instantly throughout, however you may veer to the left to keep away from this slanted rock ledge. There’s a steep drop-off right here.
Pine Knob Loop Path
The 1,120-foot-high overlook is crammed with rock ledges surrounded by white pines, pitch pines, scrub oak, and fallen needles cowl the bottom. A pleasant place to sit down and relaxation from the steep climb, as you gaze out on the Housatonic River Valley.
First viewpoint – Pine Knob Loop Path
The path climbs some extra then descends steeply right into a hole. The scant blazing on this space makes the path slightly arduous to observe. On the base of the descent, bear left barely and search for the properly overwhelmed path.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
A brief distance later, the path reaches a junction with the white-blazed Appalachian Path, which is straight forward. Flip left, now following the co-aligned Pine Knob Loop/Appalachian Path.
Pine Knob Loop Path
The signal on the opposite facet of the tree. You may’t see it as you method the junction.
Pine Knob Loop Path
For the subsequent 3/4-mile, you may be following each the white and blue blazes. Pay extra consideration to the blue blazes as the 2 trails will ultimately half.
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
The path now begins to climb step by step, with some quick steep sections. In about 0.4 mile, from the junction with the AT, the path reaches one other east-facing viewpoint.
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
Appalachian Path viewpoint
This view, though related, is just not as good because the earlier one.
Appalachian Path viewpoint
From the point of view, the joint Pine Knob Loop/AT descends steadily. In about 0.3 mile from the point of view, the 2 trails break up. Flip left to stay on the blue-blazed Pine Knob Loop Path.
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
Pine Knob Loop Path/AT
flip left on Pine Knob Loop Path
Now following solely the blue blazes, the path continues to descend on a large footpath, paralleling then quickly crossing an un-named mountain stream.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Quickly the path approaches and borders Hatch Brook. Because the path descends by means of the Hatch Brook ravine, it passes a number of massive boulders and shortly runs alongside the sting of the scenic brook.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
The path then widens to a slim woods highway, passing extra attention-grabbing boulders. In about 0.7 mile from the junction with the AT, the path closes the loop, crosses Hatch Brook and returns to the parking zone, the place the hike started.
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Pine Knob Loop Path
Overview:
The views are very nice, not the perfect that I’ve seen, however very nice. The hike itself was enjoyable and difficult on the identical time. It bought the blood pumping early and infrequently. It was an excellent name to do that hike in a counterclockwise path. The ultimate mile was a lot simpler on the knees. This place can entice crowds so I might counsel getting an early begin.
Professionals:
Good views, principally properly marked trails, Appalachian Path, attention-grabbing rock formations, good water options throughout moist durations.
Cons:
Some highway noise could be heard on sure areas of the path, principally dry streams and cascades.
Take a hike!
Pine Knob Loop Path
Sources:
