Most of the Sheepskin Hollow Preserve is hardwood forest with scattered wet areas and brooks. In 2012, Land Trust volunteers completed the construction of a sturdy bridge across Roaring Brook. This bridge joins the west side of the property to the main body of the preserve and makes for easy access to the preserve’s interior from the main parking area on Sheepskin Hollow Road. Other access points are on Woodmont Circle and Ridgebury Road.
The Yellow Trail is relatively flat and provides access to the Red, Blue, Orange and White trails from Woodmont Circle. The Red Trail, which is also relatively flat in most places, can be accessed from the White or Yellow Trail. The Blue Trail can be accessed from the Yellow Trail or from the Sheepskin Hollow Road parking area. This trail passes over several large and small streams and follows the edge of a hillside brook that features a lovely seasonal waterfall. The Purple Trail connects the Blue and Red Trails and leads through a lush grove of mountain laurel. The Orange Trail connects the Yellow and Blue Trails.
The White Trail follows the edge of the preserve’s large beaver pond, but also features some long, moderate climbs. Footing can be difficult in places.
The large pond that comprises a large portion of the preserve’s northern end contains active beaver colonies, whose ongoing work is often visible along the side of the White Trail. A man-made stone dam was once located at the pond’s southern end. Local legend has it that the shallow pond was particularly mucky and treacherous, and that an entire team of horses was lost in it.
The pond is surrounded by buttonbush, alder, tussock sedge, sweet pepperbush, and other emergent wetland vegetation. It is part of the headwaters for Roaring Brook, which eventually flows into the Connecticut River at Hadlyme. Near the parking area, Roaring Brook is bordered by huge boulders and picturesque cascading waterfalls.
Find more information about Sheepskin Hollow Preserve from East Haddam Land Trust. Further details and color-coded trail maps are available on the East Haddam Trails Interactive Map.
This preserve is part of the Lyme Forest Block Important Bird Area.
From Route 82, take Mt. Parnassus Road (Route 434) east for about 3 miles. Turn right on Sheepskin Hollow Road. Continue to the small dirt parking area on the left.
From Route 82, take Mt. Parnassus Rd east about 3 1/2 miles. Turn right on Warner Road. Turn right on Ridgebury Road. Park in the cul-de-sac. The trailhead is facing south, marked by white blazes, between the last two houses in the cul-de-sac.
From Route 82, take Mt. Parnassus Rd east about 3 1/2 miles. Turn right on Warner Road. Turn right on A.P. Gates Road. Turn right on Woodmont Circle. The trailhead is on the right, marked by the yellow blazes.
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