The Cascade–Ricciardi Open Space Viewpoint, 4 sights
15.1 mi · ▲ 1,634 ft · 5 hr 51 min
The Cascade–Ricciardi Open Space Viewpoint, 4 sights is a 15.1-mile out-and-back in Meshomasic State Forest near Lake Pocotopaug, CT. The route passes The Cascade and Ricciardi Open Space Viewpoint before reaching Car Wreck at the turnaround, 7.6 miles in. It climbs 1,634 ft, with sections as steep as 27% grade. It scores 60/100 on the Ambleway Wildness scale: backcountry feel.
Elevation
Getting there
Directions
The Cascade–Ricciardi Open Space Viewpoint, 4 sights
15.1 mi · ▲ 1,634 ft · 5 hr 51 min
Elevation 415–887 ft
Out & Back · Meshomasic State Forest
Trailhead: Woodchoppers Road · 41.59765, -72.54348
Weather Aug 4: Heavy showers, high 76°F / low 67° · precip 99% · wind 9 mph · sunrise 5:47 AM · sunset 8:07 PM
Parking lot at the trailhead
- Start at the trailhead, heading NE.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading NW.
- 0.2 miPass The Cascade.
- 50 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.4 miBear right, heading NE.
- 1.1 miTurn left onto Midwood Farm Road, heading NW.
- 0.6 miTurn right onto Portland Reservoir Road, heading NE.
- 0.9 miTurn left, heading E.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading N.
- 0.2 miPass Ricciardi Open Space Viewpoint.
- 350 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading NW.
- 0.1 miTurn right, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn left, heading NW.
- 150 ftBear left, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading NE.
- 250 ftBear right, heading N.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading NE.
- 50 ftBear right, heading NE.
- 0.1 miContinue straight onto The Tubes, heading NE.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading N.
- 200 ftTurn left, heading N.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading N.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading N.
- 350 ftTurn right, heading E.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading NW.
- 0.5 miTurn left, heading NE.
- 0.7 miBear right, heading N.
- 0.1 miTurn left, heading N.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading E.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading N.
- 0.2 miSharp right, heading E.
- 150 ftBear left, heading N.
- 100 ftPass Car Wreck.
- 0.1 miReach The Cascade, then turn around and head back the way you came.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading W.
- 100 ftSharp left, heading SW.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading NW.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading NW.
- 0.2 miTurn right, heading E.
- 0.2 miBear left, heading W.
- 0.7 miTurn right, heading SE.
- 0.5 miBear right, heading S.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading S.
- 350 ftTurn left, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 200 ftTurn right, heading SW.
- 200 ftBear right, heading S.
- 0.3 miBear left, heading SW.
- 50 ftBear right, heading SW.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading S.
- 200 ftBear right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miBear right, heading E.
- 150 ftTurn right, heading SE.
- 200 ftTurn left, heading S.
- 0.1 miBear left, heading SE.
- 0.1 miBear right, heading SW.
- 0.3 miTurn right, heading W.
- 0.5 miTurn right, heading S.
- 50 ftContinue straight onto Portland Reservoir Road, heading S.
- 0.9 miTurn left onto Midwood Farm Road, heading S.
- 0.6 miTurn right, heading SW.
- 1.1 miBear left, heading S.
- 0.4 miBear right, heading SE.
- 0.2 miTurn left, heading SW.
- 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 surface
Weather
Good to know
- Parking lot at the trailhead
Other ways to reach this destination
More from Woodchoppers Road Trailhead
- Cranberry Bog & Woodchoppers Road 4.6 mi · ▲ 486 ft
- Gulf Hill–Great Hill Pond Loop, 4 lakes 4.6 mi · ▲ 691 ft
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