Bull Hill Preserve Walk/ Hike Woodstock/ Thompson, Ct.

Posted by Wayne G. Barber  &  Photos by Wayne G. Barber

If you are travelling from Rhode Island or the Putnam, Ct. area take Rt. 44 to Putnam and bear right to Rt. 171 at the lights with the recreation fields in front of you. Next take Rt. 169 to the Roseland Park Road to a right hand onto Senexet Road at the cemetery to Bull Hill Road ( if you see Dugg Hill Road on the left, you have gone to far) a east direction from its intersection in Woodstock to the parking area and gate at the Thompson town line. Stay straight through the metal gate, then slow over a bumpy section to the designated parking area on the left. No rubbish barrels, so take out what you carry in. Elevation from this point is 88 feet on the little over one mile walk/ hike. Hike to the summit to enjoy the sweeping views of the Wyndham Land Trust's newly acquired Bull Hill Preserve. The trail is wide without much grade and family friendly.  Listed as 1.7 miles in trail guides.
 View at the summit with a beautiful cement park bench and a unique carved boulder to the right that holds the suns heat just enough to warm your lower body on this 38 degree March spring day and have a drink or snack. The 'Three Trees" location is about 300 degrees viewing of the Ct.North East Quiet Corner's beautiful valley's and working farms and waterways. Stay on the main path and not the old logging roads. I checked the rules and there is no parking or hiking fee. We witnessed well behaved dogs on a short leash.  Horses are allowed. Mountain Bikes are also. I think this is great possibility of some nice learner cross country sking here (more of story below)

Grandson Graham Barber found a beautiful new cut for a nice picture for me.

Are we there yet Grampa ?

Beautiful comfortable rock to warm your ?

Navigator,  Laurie Bliven Barber and one of her sons, Graham ( Scooter) Barber

Author Wayne G. Barber, another one off the Bucket List

The famous, ( Three Trees) I have TO come back in October foliage for a color photo.

Graham Barber is practicing for the part in the Titantic movie remake in a few years.

in the future.
 The trail is wide with only two low lying wet spring area's and if you stay to the right you will be on the higher ground with no mud.  Real outstanding views and we did the nice hike/ walk in March with lined hemlocks , mountain laurel which will bloom later along with my favorite wild orchid, the {Lady Slippers) and yellow pine with very few white or paper birch until the summit on the left side of a previous clear cut. I am glad that the Windham County Land Trust reacted quickly to acquire this area for future generations to enjoy like our group did today. I only noticed one or two indigenous native Nipmuc populations possible rock formations and I do not think the area is noted for a abundance of the type of lasting monuments like Wilsonville, Ct. had in my previous hike/ walk into the Ct. Northeast Quiet Corner.  Scale of one to ten. 10 for easy to locate, 7 for the walk and a high 9 for the view. Certain times of the year may have a abundance of horse flies and mosquitos so plan for your groups protection accordingly.