LL Bean Outing Club: The Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil's Den Preserve in Weston, CT.

The Lucius Pond Ordway/Devil's Den Preserve is the Connecticut Chapter's largest continuous preserve and the largest tract of protected land in densely developed Fairfield County. Its patchwork of woodlands, wetlands and rock ledges and a series of north-south ridges and valleys woven with streams and swamps make the Devil's Den ideal for low-impact outdoor activities such as hiking and bird watching.

The Den provides a valuable oasis for species that require interior woodland for successful reproduction. Research has shown that such large unfragmented forest areas are vital to the health of a variety of species. Devil's Den also represents a significant portion of the watershed of the west branch of the Saugatuck River, habitat for many of aquatic species, including several uncommon species of mussel.

Devil's Den is also of historical significance; archaeological evidence indicates human use of the area, mostly for hunting, as long as 5,000 years ago. The remains of an up-and-down sawmill below Godfrey Pond testify to the importance of the lumbering that dovetailed with charcoal burning. The production of charcoal was an important commercial activity in the 1800s and marks dozens of sites.

The hike is approx. 5.5 miles and can take up to four hours with children. It can be completed much quicker. This is an ideal hike for a cozy walk in the woods. Our guides will point out all the interesting stuff out there....

Devil's Den is the chapter's most frequently visited preserve, hosting more than 40,000 people per year. It is ideally located to provide an enriching and educational outdoor experience for residents of surrounding towns such as Redding, Easton, Westport and Wilton, along with the nearby metropolitan areas of Bridgeport, Danbury, Norwalk and Stamford. The Den is part of the extended 70-mile Saugatuck Valley Trails System, with contiguous forest and watershed lands.

More information: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/connecticut/placesweprotect/lucius-pond-ordwaydevils-den-preserve.xml

Directions:
For electronic navigation and mapping enter the address:
33 Pent Road, Weston, CT 06883

From the south and the Merritt Parkway:
Take exit 42 and go north on Route 57 for 3.8 miles to the blinking light. Continue straight on Route 53 (be sure not to continue on Route 57, which forks to the left) toward Redding 1.7 miles to the next traffic light, turn left on Godfrey Road.
Continue for a half-mile, then turn right on Pent Road, which dead-ends at the preserve's main parking area.

From the north and Route 107 in Georgetown:
Go south on Route 57 for 2.7 miles.
Turn left on Godfrey Road and go for a half-mile. Turn left on Pent Road and follow to end in preserve's parking lot.

From I-84 in Danbury:
Take exit 3 to Route 7 south.
Follow Route 7 for approximately 10 miles to intersection with Route 107 in Georgetown. Take left onto Route 107, then right onto Route 57 heading south, and continue as above.