AMBLEWAY Wildest hikes

The Preserve

Crystal Lake

4.1 mi · ▲ 252 ft · 1 hr 30 min

Crystal Lake is a 4.1-mile out-and-back in The Preserve near Centerbrook, CT. The route reaches Crystal Lake. It climbs 252 ft and is mostly dirt. It scores 26/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: green fringe.

Elevation

0 mi20 – 128 ft5.5 mi

Getting there

Trailhead: Unnamed 41.32762, -72.42218
Nearest town Centerbrook, CT
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Directions

AMBLEWAYwww.ambleway.com

Crystal Lake

4.1 mi · ▲ 252 ft · 1 hr 30 min

Elevation 19–129 ft

Out & Back · The Preserve

Trailhead: 41.32762, -72.42218

Weather Sep 20: sunrise 6:36 AM · sunset 6:52 PM

  1. Start at the trailhead, heading S.
  2. 50 ftSharp right, heading W.
  3. 150 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  4. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  5. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  6. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  7. 150 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  8. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  9. 50 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  10. 150 ftTurn left, heading W.
  11. 0.3 miBear left, heading S.
  12. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  13. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  14. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  15. 50 ftBear right, heading S.
  16. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  17. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  18. 50 ftTurn left, heading S.
  19. 0.1 miTurn right, heading SE.
  20. 450 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  21. 50 ftBear right, heading SE.
  22. 0.4 miTurn right, heading S.
  23. 350 ftBear right, heading SW.
  24. 0.2 miTurn right, heading S.
  25. 50 ftPass Crystal Lake.
  26. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  27. 0.1 miTurn left, heading S.
  28. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  29. 250 ftBear right, heading SE.
  30. 50 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  31. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  32. 450 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  33. 250 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  34. 100 ftReach Crystal Lake, then turn around and head back the way you came.
  35. 50 ftTurn right, heading S.
  36. 250 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  37. 450 ftTurn left, heading SE.
  38. 0.1 miTurn right, heading S.
  39. 50 ftBear left, heading S.
  40. 300 ftTurn left, heading SW.
  41. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  42. 0.1 miBear right, heading W.
  43. 100 ftTurn left, heading W.
  44. 0.2 miBear left, heading SE.
  45. 350 ftTurn left, heading NE.
  46. 0.4 miBear left, heading N.
  47. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  48. 450 ftTurn left, heading N.
  49. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  50. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  51. 0.1 miBear right, heading N.
  52. 50 ftBear left, heading N.
  53. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  54. 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
  55. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  56. 50 ftBear right, heading N.
  57. 0.3 miTurn right, heading NW.
  58. 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
  59. 50 ftTurn left, heading N.
  60. 50 ftTurn right, heading N.
  61. 150 ftTurn left, heading N.
  62. 0.1 miTurn left, heading SW.
  63. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  64. 50 ftTurn right, heading SW.
  65. 150 ftSharp left, heading SW.
  66. 50 ftArrive back at the trailhead.

Each distance is the walk from the previous step. Tap a step for a map of its junction.

Trail map, photos and weather for this hike: www.ambleway.com/hikes/crystal-lake-crystal-lake-out-back-4-km-7ea8

Trail surface

99% dirt1% boardwalk

Weather

Sunrise 6:36 AMSunset 6:52 PM

Sunset

The best sunset spot on this hike is 1.1 mi in (~31 min). Leave by 6:02 PM for the 6:52 PM sunset. Back at your car by 7:37 PM, after dark — bring a headlamp.

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