{"title":"Maps of Westwoods","description":"\u003cp\u003eLooking for the best digital maps of Westwoods in Connecticut? Discover our collection of the top maps for the area, and download them directly to your Avenza Maps app.\n\u003cbr\u003eAvailable for Android and iOS, the app uses your device's built-in GPS system to show your position on any map from the Avenza Map Store. It will then display your location without the need for an internet connection or network signal. This ensures you have a safe offline experience whether you are enjoying outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, or even paddling!\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"glct-westwoods-loop-4-guilford-land-conservation-trust-map","title":"GLCT Westwoods Loop 4","description":"Part of a collection of trail walks around Westwoods that are of 2 to 3 miles in length, looping to allow hikers to return to the trailhead they started from.  \r\n\r\nLoop #4 begins with a short and easy hike to Lost Lake and then a hike along a ridge with beautiful views of the valley below. You’ll return with a hike down through the valley following below the rock ridge.\r\n\r\nThe property crossed is owned by the Guilford Land Conservation Trust and the State of Connecticut, with public access allowed from dawn to dusk for passive recreational purposes.  Motorized vehicles of any type are not allowed.  For comprehensive listing of Land Use Policies see: \u0026lt;\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/guilfordlandtrust.org\/about\/land-use\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/guilfordlandtrust.org\/about\/land-use\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u0026gt;\r\n\r\nHiking Narrative:\r\nTo access Loop 4, begin at the cul-de-sac at the end of Three Corners Road. Parking is available on the road, please be courteous and do not block the driveways. You begin the hike by taking the Red Triangle, which you will find down the driveway of 494 Three Corner’s Road. This is private property, but the State owns the ‘right-of-way’ across a corner of this land to allow access to the state forest. The trail is marked with a Trail Post, and there is a kiosk just a few steps away.\r\n\r\nTo begin: \r\n\r\nThe kiosk on your right has a detailed map of Westwoods and information on the property and the Land Trust. Just past the kiosk the trail veers right and away from a badly eroded section of the old woods road. This was closed by the Trails Committee in their on-going efforts to limit the damage to the ecosystem. After a short distance you’ll see the Orange Circle trail. \r\n\r\n•\t(POI – 1) High above your head and on the face of the rock wall, can you see where the trails committee “erased” the graffiti using a slurry of moss, sour milk, and paint.  Dramatic cliffs like these are found throughout Westwoods.\r\n\r\nTake a left onto the Orange Circle, which you’ll follow for about 1\/3 of a mile. Like many of the ‘valley’ trails in Westwoods, this section of trail follows an old woods road that the trails share. At the bottom of the hill the Red Triangle trail splits to the right, but stay on the Orange Circle and keep going straight and to the south. \r\n\r\n•\t(POI – 2) notice the many Norway Spruce growing along the trail edges. The Westwoods Trails Committee planted these trees in 1997 to reforest this area after the hemlocks were critically damaged by the woolly adelgid insect. \r\n\r\nThe trail comes to a “T” where the Orange Circle continues south (to the left) and the White\/Orange Cross trail continues to the right (the cross trails are denoted by a rectangle blaze with the top color indicating the trail you are going to and the bottom color indicating the trail you are on – in this instance, white and orange). Take the right onto the cross trail and continue 20 yards to the intersection with the White Circle. When you return to the trail you will be going right (North) on the White Circle, but first take a short scramble up the rocks you’re facing and find (POI – 3) Lost Lake:\r\n\r\n•\tThe lake is viewed from atop a large rock outcropping. The area is suitable for a picnic gathering and provides opportunities for solitary contemplation. \r\n•\tWhile viewing the lake, notice the two sets of piers that traverse the water surface just below the cliff. On this pier a railroad once ran; servicing quarry operations at the upper end of Lost Lake.\r\n\r\nWhen you are ready to return to the trail, join the White Circle going North. Continue following the White Circle along the spine of the ridge line. For the next 3\/4 of a mile, you’ll be following a rugged rocky upland which is oriented in a northwest\/southeast direction. This topography is repeated throughout Westwoods, and much of this corner of Guilford. With very thin and quickly drained soils, these ridge lines are special habitats where you’ll find misshapen chestnut oaks, red cedars and some small groves of rare pitch pine.  \r\n\r\n•\tFor the first 1\/8 mile, the trail flirts with the boundary between the Land Trust and Cockaponset State Forest. You’ll see their boundary sign and distinctive yellow marking paint on a tree to the left of the trail.  \r\n•\tTo the west and forty feet below the ridge line flows Great Harbor Brook, which drains the wetlands on the northwest corner of Westwoods into Lost Lake.\r\n•\tYou’ll leave Land Trust property for about 1\/8 of a mile and then return. The properties we’re now crossing are recent acquisitions bought from private landowners in 2012 and 2018. Although located in the very center of Westwoods, these properties were threatened by residential development and long sought for permanent conservation protection. \r\n•\tStay on the White Circle as it climbs almost 70 feet.\r\n•\tThe trail drops about 30ft to a saddle, then climbs the next rise.  Just before the top, you will have a choice: Choice 1) Left on the White Circle and enter ‘The Squeeze’ (POI - 4), a narrow rock fissure in huge blocks of granite, or Choice 2) If squeezing your body between two rocks is not your thing, you can avoid the feature by going right and follow the White Square. It will meet up with the White Circle again at a short distance. \r\n•\tAbout 1-1\/4 miles into the hike, keep your eyes open for a small glacial boulder just next to the trail. The image of a face, with a broad smile can we easily imagined. This feature is known as ‘The Grinning Troll’ (POI - 5).\r\n•\tDropping down a steep section of the trail, a White Square trail branches to your left. A variation of Loop 4 can take this pleasant trail as an upland version of the route we’ll be following.\r\n\r\nLook for the second White Square trail branching off to your left. Following this, you’ll descend to the valley floor, leaving Land Trust property and entering the state forest to begin the return trip south. \r\n\r\n•\tAs you follow below the rock ridge you’ll come to an impressive rock overhang, known as ‘The Shelter’ (POI - 6). Take some time to explore.\r\n•\tContinue along the White Square, hiking at the bottom of the valley with Great Harbor Brook to your right. This was once an old woods road with the Land Trust and state property lines running parallel to your path.\r\n\r\nThe White Square trail ends, and White Circle crosses your path. Continue straight on the Red\/White cross trail. You have hiked for about 1- 3\/4 miles.\r\n\r\nAt the end of the Red\/White Cross Trail you intersect with the Red Triangle, where you will take a right to return to the trailhead and driveway on Three Corner’s Road.","brand":"Guilford Land Conservation Trust","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44805892833436,"sku":"1701209","price":1.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0441\/7850\/5884\/files\/guilford-land-conservation-trust-glct-westwoods-loop-4-map-1701209-preview-0.jpg?v=1748611700"},{"product_id":"glct-westwoods-loop-5-guilford-land-conservation-trust-map","title":"GLCT Westwoods Loop 5","description":"Part of a collection of trail walks around Westwoods that are of 2 to 3 miles in length, looping to allow hikers to return to the trailhead they started from.  \r\n\r\nIf you are looking for a 90-minute hike with a few steep climbs Loop 5 is the answer. You’ll quickly be enveloped by the beautiful forest scenery on this hike that will take you up a hill for picturesque views of the valley below. Other highlights include the enchanted Mountain Laurel forest, the impressive granite rock ridge, the sad remains of Westwood’s beloved Great Hemlock Tree and a recently recovered memorial stone.\r\n\r\nThe property crossed is owned by the Guilford Land Conservation Trust and the State of Connecticut, with public access allowed from dawn to dusk for passive recreational purposes.  Motorized vehicles of any type are not allowed.  For comprehensive listing of Land Use Policies see: \u0026lt;\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/guilfordlandtrust.org\/about\/land-use\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ehttps:\/\/guilfordlandtrust.org\/about\/land-use\/\u003c\/a\u003e\u0026gt;\r\n\r\nHiking Narrative:\r\n\r\nTo access Loop 5, begin at the Trailhead at the end of Dunk Rock Road, directly across from Bishop’s Raspberry field. Off-road parking is available on both sides of the road.\r\n\r\nNote that this loop trail begins on the Blue Circle located on the left side of the parking lot. There are other trails that begin from this parking area, so be sure to start on the Blue Circle on the left. It will immediately take you on a climb up the hill. You will stay on the Blue Circle for about 1\/3rd of the hike. Very close to the start of the hike, note a large rock on your left and look for a secret “mailbox” in the rock that’s used by hikers and Westwoods volunteers (POI -1) to leave messages to one another. The trail climbs steeply, and soon you’ll want to pause to have a view of the valley below. As you plateau you are welcomed by the Mountain Laurel Forest (POI – 2). Mountain Laurel is Connecticut’s state flower and typically blooms in early June.\r\n\r\nStay on the Blue Circle as it crosses the Blue Rectangle trail and continue south descending further into the valley.\r\n\r\nThe Blue Circle merges with the Red Rectangle trail for a very short distance but continue on the Blue Circle. The trail will begin to climb out of the wetland valley and into a hardwood forest.\r\n\r\nAt two points along this loop trail you will cross a section that is suspiciously lacking the typical trees in the area (POI- 4). Until 2022 the electric power lines to Guilford ran along this corridor. The Westwoods trails committee has maintained portions of this clearing that was once kept clear by the power company for over 100 years. During this time a new ecosystem developed, attracting birds, animals and plants that live in woodland and field transitional zones. The Land Trust is committed to maintaining this as a welcome space for the species that call this area home. \r\n\r\nContinue on the Blue Circle as it crosses the eastern section of the Yellow Triangle loop.  The trail then climbs for 400ft or so and intersects with the western section of the same Yellow Triangle loop. Continuing on the Blue Circle, turn left and follow a shared section of trail. The Yellow Triangle veers off to the left but stay on the Blue Circle.\r\n\r\nThe return trip begins at the end of the Blue Circle by taking a right on Green Circle. You will be on the Green Circle for most of the remainder of the hike.\r\n\r\nThe Green Circle begins with a hill. The Red Rectangle Trail enters from the right and the two trails share the path for a short distance. Keep your eyes open for the Green Circle trail blazes as they lead off to the right.\r\n\r\n•\tNote the classic pink granite rock formation (POI- 3). There is a narrow rock fissure for the adventurous (and very skinny!) to squeeze through.\r\n•\tYou’ll again cross through a clearing, which is the second of the powerline crossings. (POI- 4) \r\n\r\nGreen Circle makes a left, then again crosses the Blue Rectangle and follows the Green Triangle (the Nature Trail) for a very short distance. (Yes, at this point you are on 3 trails simultaneously). Stay on the Green Circle as it makes an immediate left and hugs the ridge. This section of the trail negotiates many ledges and boulders found on this slope.  Be prepared for frequent ups and downs with slippery footing in wet conditions.\r\n\r\nGreen Circle passes by the decayed remains of the Great Hemlock (POI – 5). The Great Hemlock was once over 125 feet tall with a diameter of 46 inches (the width of a typical coffee table). It survived the 1938 hurricane, an ice storm in the 1970’s and gypsy moths in the 1980’s. It succumbed to the woolly adelgid infestation brought into our area from Hurricane Gloria in 1985.\r\n\r\nYou will leave the Green Circle and make a right on the Green Rectangle for the remainder of the hike. The Green Rectangle trail was once Marsh Road, an old colonial road connecting Guilford Center with Moose Hill Road.\r\n\r\nContinue on Green Rectangle, which shares the route with the Green Triangle for a short time. Stay on the Green Rectangle and the Triangle goes right. The trial will take a right and cross a bridge.\r\n\r\nNote the rock commemorating Bernard Kane, a tireless builder, advocate and supporter of the Westwoods Trails. (POI – 6).\r\n\r\nYou are nearly out of the woods now. Continue on Green Rectangle as it makes a right at the fork. Cross over your two bridges and the parking lot should be in view shortly.","brand":"Guilford Land Conservation Trust","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44861791469724,"sku":"1701771","price":1.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0441\/7850\/5884\/files\/guilford-land-conservation-trust-glct-westwoods-loop-5-map-1701771-preview-0.jpg?v=1754928538"}],"url":"https:\/\/store.avenza.com\/collections\/maps-of-westwoods.oembed","provider":"Avenza Maps","version":"1.0","type":"link"}