White Hills
155 acres
Overview: Several miles of moderately difficult trails along the Housatonic River bluff, including the Paugussett (Blue Dot) Trail and a recently re-opened side trail loop. One of our more secluded and scenic parks located about one mile north of the beach at Indian Well State Park.
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MAP
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Difficulty: Moderately difficult, with uneven footing, possible mud holes, unimproved stream crossings, and an elevation gain of about 250 feet along the white trail. Not recommended for very small children.
Features: Outstanding spring wildflower display (late April – early May); distinctive floodplain and ravine ecosystems; colonial roadways; scenic “chimney overlook” at Upper White Hills Brook.
Mountain bikes are prohibited on the Paugussett Trail.
Access and Parking: ***Do not confuse this park with Indian Well State Park, which is located immediately to the south and which also has a white blazed trail. Look for Birchbank Road to cross the RR tracks about one mile north of the Indian Well beach.
Birchbank Road – Limited parking off Birchbank Road at the point where the road takes a sharp jog to the right to cross the railroad tracks.
Okenuck Way/Round Hill Rd – Limited on-street parking at the intersection of Okenuck Way and Round Hill Road.
Description: Colonists traveling up the Housatonic River are said to have given the name to Shelton’s “White Hills” which loom over the river. The steep 300-400 foot river bluff was a major obstacle for both Native Americans and colonists. However, a critical “notch” in the riverbank, cut by Upper White Hill Brook, allowed for easier travel between the White Hills above and the river below. This became an important route for farmers to bring their produce to ports for export, and is now the white trail.
The scattered white quartz flakes left by Native Americans and the colonial roadway are reminders of this past. But there is more recent past in evidence as well. A large chimney standing next to the brook is all that is left of the old Monroe Gun Clubhouse, which was destroyed by a fire. This scenic spot, overlooking a series of small waterfalls and cascades, is an excellent place for a picnic.
The Paugussett “Blue Dot” Trail, a CCC project from the 1930’s, crosses the park on it’s way from Indian Well State Park to East Village in Monroe. The trail once stretched as far south as Roosevelt Forest in Stratford before being cut off by development in the 1980s. The Paugussett is just one of many “Blue Blazed” trails maintained by CFPA in Connecticut. The white trail was once an official Blue Dot loop, blazed blue with yellow dots, but was abandoned by CFPA due to excessive ATV activity.
The bulk of the park was purchased in 1998 from the Bridgeport Hydraulic Company (BHC), now known as Aquarion.
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Dutchman’s Breeches and Red Trillium along the “Old Farm Road” portion of the white trail, April 2007 |
White Trail: The white trail starts on the flat floodplain below on an old roadbed known as “Old Farm Road”. In late April and early May, parts of the floodplain are covered with a carpet of Dutchman’s Breeches and Red Trillium, as well as other wildflowers that are seldom seen in other parts of Shelton (photo at right was taken in 2007). Wood Ducks have also been seen nesting in the Aquarion recharge ponds to the east of the trail.
The white trail then turns up the hill and follows another old road as it ascends the river bluff through the notch. ATV damage is severe in some locations, resulting in uneven footing. The trail crosses the Paugussett Trail and continues to rise until Upper White Hills Brook is spotted on the right, after which the trail turns to the right to cross the brook. There is no bridge – you must be resourceful and find a way to cross by various stepping stones or logs.
 Wood Duck pair in the Aquarion ponds adjacent to Birchbank Mountain, May 2007 |
The trail passes a vernal pool on the left (if it’s March or early April you may hear a cacophony of mating Wood Frogs), then circles back and begins to descend along the ravine. After a time the trail approaches the brook again, and you should see the chimney nearby. Follow the brook downhill to the Paugussett Trail (blue) and turn right onto this trail, crossing the brook once again. The Paugussett will soon intersect the white trail – go left to return to your starting point.
The hillside is in shadow long before the sun sets, so a hike earlier in the day may be preferable.
Because of it’s remote location, this park has had problems with ATVs, paintball, parties, and Airsoft games (like paintball but with plastic BBs). Trail users and neighbors can have a very significant impact in stopping these problems by taking photographs, calling the Police (do not expect a rapid response, but a record of the call is useful none-the-less), and forwarding such information to the Conservation Agent at [email protected].