Hike Mashamoquet State Park (AKA Wolf Den)

Before signing up for this event, please read and understand the entire Write-Up and the Liability Waiver. By signing up for this event you agree to the terms of the write-up and the waiver. Please sign-up only if you are sure that you can attend.

Event Rating: Level 3 (Difficult)
Requirement: Members must have completed one or more Level 2+ hikes. The elevation gain of this hike is significant by local standards.
Distance: ~6.0 miles
Time Duration: ~3.25 hours
Blaze Orange: not required

COVID-19 Instructions: Do not attend a hike if you or a person that you have been in close contact with have tested positive for COVID-19, or have been experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.

Description:
Mashamoquet State Park is located in Pomfret, CT. Pomfret is located in northeast Connecticut. The park is located off of RTs 101 & 44. We will be hiking most of the blue outer loop trail and the red inner loop trail. We will be starting from the Wolf Den Campground. This hike can be found in the book "50 Classic Hikes in New England" among others.

The park is mostly known for being the home of “Wolf Den”. In 1742 Israel Putnam went into a cave and killed a wolf that had been killing farmer’s sheep in the area for years. Israel Putnam was later to gain fame as a Major General in the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. Near the “Wolf Den” are the Table Rock and Indian Chair natural stone formations. The Indian Chair is a wide seat-shaped ledge, suitable for a photo op.

The trails feature a few hills as they wind through the woods. The hills are not large but provide some good exercise. A pair of hiking boots are strongly suggested with the rocky and likely wet trails. As always bring water (min 1.0 liter mandatory) and snacks. Wear a backpack or waistpack with clothing appropriate for hiking.

You can find a trail map at this link:

https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DEEP/stateparks/maps/Mashamoquetpdf.pdf

Directions

From the east/(Providence, RI): Take Route 6 west onto Route 101 west. Continue west on Route 101, going ~1/4 mile past the junction with Route 169. Watch for a sign on your left for the Wolf Den Campground. Take the left onto Wolf Den Drive, and follow it until you come to the campground entrance on your left.

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Liability Waiver: As a condition of your voluntary participation in this activity, you acknowledge and agree to the following: This activity involves inherent risks that can cause property damage, injury, illness, disability, or death to participants; you assume all risk associated with this activity; you are responsible for having the necessary knowledge, skills, abilities, clothing, and equipment to participate in this activity safely; you know and will follow the Hiker Responsibility Code described at www.hikesafe.com; the leader(s) of this activity are volunteers; and you for yourself, your heirs, executors, and administrators release, hold harmless, and indemnify the leader(s) and all members of this group from any and all claims for property damage, injury, illness, disability, or death - including those caused by negligence or other reasons. The RIHC will not be held responsible for any COVID-19 issues including but not limited to the transmission of the disease, the cost of medical treatment, or death.

Safety First!