Cockaponset State Forest
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Cockaponset State Forest is the second largest forest in the Connecticut state forest system, encompassing over Script error: No such module "convert". of land. Most of the land is in Middlesex County though some parcels lie in New Haven County. The forest is disjointed, and comprises land in the towns of Haddam, Chester, Deep River, Killingworth, Durham, Guilford, Madison, Clinton, Westbrook, Middletown and Middlefield.[1]
History
Prior to European settlement, the section forest nearest Haddam was part of the Wangunk village of Cockaponset.[2][3] Modern acquisition of forest parcels began in 1926. Two Civilian Conservation Corps camps were active in the forest in the 1930s constructing roads and planting conifers.[4] The forest is purportedly named after a Native American chief buried in Haddam.[1] However, it may have been named after the Wangunk village.
Features
- National natural landmark
A portion of the forest is known as the Chester Cedar Swamp was declared a National Natural Landmark in May 1973. Along with Pachaug-Great Meadow Swamp, it is one of the finest remaining examples of an Atlantic white cedar forest.[5] This type of forest is at risk and being succeeded by hemlock.[6]
- Hiking trails
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP) manages a Script error: No such module "convert". trail system based around Pattaconk Reservoir Recreation Area near Chester. Some trails have been designated for footpath only, while others are open to horses and mountain bikes. The centerpiece for this area is the scenic Pattaconk Lake which is used for swimming, fishing, and paddling. Even though the CT DEEP has maps detailing only Script error: No such module "convert". of trails, there are over Script error: No such module "convert". of trails within the greater Cockaponset State Forest. According to the headquarters at Chatfield Hollow State Park, many of these unmarked trails have an undesignated status, which means that the CT DEEP has either not yet decided their use or are within an area earmarked for logging in the future. These undesignated trails are currently open to most users willing to respect low-impact travel.
- Rock climbing
Pine Ledge is a popular rock climbing destination within Cockaponset State Forest located about a half mile west of Deep River, Connecticut. The rocky cliff is as high as Script error: No such module "convert". at its southern end and extends for about a half mile north. The larger cliff faces are primarily used with top-roping techniques and there are several large bouldering rocks. The locals have also adopted the name, "Pine Ledge," to describe the surrounding section of Cockaponset State Forest where the Pine Ledge cliff resides.
At this time, the access roads are somewhat rugged and may become thick with mud after a heavy rain or during the spring melt. However, there are hardly any large rocks and few bumps, and the road is usually pretty wide. Even though the use of all-terrain-vehicles has not been officially designated, the greater Pine Ledge area has become very popular among local riders. Jeeps and 4X4 off-road vehicles have also utilized some of the old abandoned access roads as trails. There are foot paths through dense mountain laurel throughout the Pine Ledge rock climbing area as access to the more remote cliff edges.
In popular culture
An assertion that geological features of the park represent the remains of a 1500-year-old European church have been disputed.[7][8]
References
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- ↑ Lavin, Lucianne. “Pre-Colonial History of the Wangunk - The Institute for American Indian ...” Institute for American Indian Studies, December 5, 2015. https://www.iaismuseum.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/Pre-colonial_History_of_the_Wangunk-1.pdf.
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- ↑ Template:Cite FTP
- ↑ Connecticut's 5th Century Church
- ↑ 5th Century Greek Church in Connecticut - Nope!
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External links
- Cockaponset State Forest Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection
Template:Protected Areas of Connecticut Template:ConnecticutTrailSystem
- Pages with script errors
- Pages with reference errors
- Connecticut state forests
- Parks in Middlesex County, Connecticut
- Hiking trails in Connecticut
- Climbing areas of the United States
- Middlefield, Connecticut
- Middletown, Connecticut
- Madison, Connecticut
- National Natural Landmarks in Connecticut
- Protected areas established in 1926
- Civilian Conservation Corps in Connecticut
- 1926 establishments in Connecticut