Waterhouse Pond & Beaver Ledges Preserve Viewpoint
10.6 mi · ▲ 1,252 ft · 4 hr 10 min
Waterhouse Pond & Beaver Ledges Preserve Viewpoint is a 10.6-mile out-and-back in Cockaponset State Forest near Chester, CT. The route passes Waterhouse Pond before reaching Beaver Ledges Preserve Viewpoint at the turnaround, 5.3 miles in. It climbs 1,252 ft, with sections as steep as 20% grade. It scores 15/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: paved and peopled.
Elevation
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Directions
Waterhouse Pond & Beaver Ledges Preserve Viewpoint
10.6 mi · ▲ 1,252 ft · 4 hr 10 min
Elevation 102–448 ft
Out & Back · Cockaponset State Forest
Trailhead: 41.41807, -72.46309
Weather Aug 4: Overcast, high 79°F / low 64° · precip 0% · wind 6 mph · sunrise 5:47 AM · sunset 8:06 PM
- Start at the trailhead, heading W.
- 50 ftPass Waterhouse Pond.
- 0.4 miSharp right, heading NW.
- 1.7 miTurn left, heading W.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 1.2 miTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftBear left, heading SW.
- 0.1 miSharp right, heading S.
- 1.3 miSharp right, heading N.
- 50 ftPass Beaver Ledges Preserve Viewpoint.
- 100 ftReach Waterhouse Pond, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 150 ftSharp left, heading N.
- 1.3 miSharp left, heading S.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading SE.
- 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 1.2 miTurn left, heading S.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading N.
- 1.7 miSharp left, heading SE.
- 0.4 miArrive back at the trailhead.
Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.
Weather
Sunset
The best sunset spot on this hike is 0.8 mi in (~26 min). Leave by 7:20 PM for the 8:06 PM sunset. Back at your car by 8:45 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.
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