Salmon River Trail, CT

Overview
The Salmon River Trail is a well-marked path within the Salmon River State Forest and Day Pond State Park. You can enjoy a covered bridge, a walk along a peaceful river, and some small waterfalls.


Hike
At the free parking lot, enjoy the informative kiosk about the covered bridge, then cross the bridge and turn immediately left onto the trail and down to the river. Enjoy this short third of a mile along the Salmon River before the path begins climbing up the hill above it.At about 1.5 miles, there are a couple of viewpoints at the top of the first hill, but these will only have a view in winter. In the summer, leaves block the view.

The path drops gently to 3 little bridges over muddy places, before climbing up to the intersection with the North and South Loop Trails, at 2 miles, at the high point of 700’. You can go either way from here, but left is recommended.

About 0.6 miles north of the junction, you will meet a spur trail, blazed blue and red. Take it a short distance west to the highlight of this hike, a pretty waterfall. Take pictures. Have your lunch. Spend some time here.

After rejoining the main blue-blazed trail, climb about 150’, then the trail remains pretty level until you suddenly come out at Day Pond. There is plenty of parking, picnic tables, outhouses, and a little swimming beach here. You can start the hike from here, Day Pond State Park, if you wish. Parking is free from late April until mid-October, and closed the rest of the year.

After crossing the outlet stream, the trail climbs gently about 100’ to a large erratic. This boulder is fun to climb on. In another quarter mile, you close the loop and retrace the first 2 miles back to your car.

Fauna
You may hear the bird calls of Veery, Yellow-throated Vireo, Red-eyed Vireo, Ovenbird, Eastern Wood-Peewee, Wood Thrush, and Red-shouldered Hawk.

Flora In spring, you may see mountain laurel. In the fall, you will enjoy the turning of the leaves.

2022-06-16 GrangerGuy