Hike the Clark Preserve

#Middlebury #MiddleburyLandTrust

Kent Sullivan-Wiley, left, and Middlebury Land Trust Vice President Don McRae, right, enjoy a hike on the land trust’s Clark Preserve. Its 38 acres connect with the Hetzel Preserve of Flanders Nature Center. (Janine Sullivan-Wiley photo)

By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY

Between 1983 to 1991, a series of parcels of land were deeded to the Middlebury Land Trust (MLT) by Robert and Mary Clark and Griffith Custom Builders. Collectively they are known as the Clark Preserve. The roughly 38 acres are bounded on the north by East Farm Road, on the east by private properties and Mirey Dam Pond, on the south by the Hetzel Preserve of the Flanders Nature Center and Land Trust, and on the west by private property and Mirey Dam Pond Road.

The southern boundary of the Clark preserve is particularly important as it connects properties conserved by two land trusts (the MLT and Flanders – the Clark and Hetzel Preserves, respectively) which together comprise a total of 92 preserved acres. Trails connect the two.

The Clark Preserve includes beautiful terrain of sloping wetlands, mostly through forest cover. This author recently hiked that trail in the snow and again after a heavy rain. It was delightful.

At this time, access to the Clark Preserve is best accomplished through the Hetzel Preserve to its south. Development of a place to park as well as an access trail off East Farm Road are planned for the spring, but at this time the steep slope and lack of a trail head make it hazardous to start there. However, it’s easily accessed from the other side. Note that trails in this preserve are pretty rough and/or muddy, so the whole course is more of a hike than a casual walk. Hiking both properties can be done in an hour or so.

Start at the marked parking area on Breakneck Hill Road, just east of Mirey Dam Road. The trail starts on the far side of the house.

Hiking in, follow the red trail (left at the fork). The Clark Preserve starts at a stone wall after a small wooden bridge. Those trails are clearly visible throughout, but not yet blazed. When you come to a fork with a large rocky outcropping visible to your right, take the trail to the left. At this spot, the trail makes a loop. A short way ahead, stepping on the large rocks, carefully cross the stream that meanders through the parcel.

Proceed uphill around the right of a rocky knoll. There is a side trail to the left that will rejoin the trail. This section of the Clark Preserve has a profusion of low mountain laurel that should be gorgeous when it blooms in May or June. The loops join, and the trail continues, crossing the stream by a wooden bridge with handrails. Cross an open area, then through pines. The Clark Preserve trail currently ends at that point, where the guardrails of East Farms Road are visible up the hill ahead. A private trail to homes goes up to the right.

Retrace your steps, taking the left fork, which skirts around the pond. Cross the same stream, this time via a narrow wooden boardwalk, then a bit farther on across rocks. Going left again, you rejoin the trail into the Flanders property. Finish the hike by taking the other, orange-marked trail, merging again with the red trail and thence back to Breakneck Hill Road.

Noting how much work is involved in establishing and then maintaining trails, the MLT would welcome volunteers in an “adopt-a-trail” process where individuals – presumably those who already enjoy specific properties and trails – would regularly walk the trails, keeping them clear and refreshing (not originating) trail blazes, and advising the MLT of any problems.

If you’re interested in such volunteering, or have questions about the MLT, please contact this writer at jswspotlight@gmail.com, or the MLT administrator at mltoffice06762@gmail.com, or visit the MLT website at middleburylandtrust.org. Happy hiking!