Pine Knob Loop Path

July 10, 2022 – Sharon, Connecticut

Problem: Average – Strenuous

Size: Roughly 2.8 miles

Max elevation: 1,158 ft.– whole elevation acquire roughly 814 ft.

Route kind: Circuit

Map: Housatonic Meadows State Park Trail Map

Avenza Map: Housatonic Meadows State Park Avenza Trail Map

Trailhead parking: US-7 – Sharon, CT 06069

No entrance or parking charges – No loos on web site

Gravel car parking zone for about 20-25 automobiles

Open from 8am to sundown.

Overview:

The Pine Knob Loop Path is positioned in Housatonic Meadows State Park and Housatonic State Forest on the west facet of the Housatonic River, north of Cornwall Bridge. A brief and difficult path, it’s coaligned with the Appalachian Path for about 0.7 mile. Hikers will get pleasure from scenic vistas over the Housatonic River Valley. The path is accessible from a devoted lot on US-7 in Sharon, Connecticut and likewise from the state park’s campground and group tenting space by way of unmarked trails.

Pine Knob Loop Path

Historical past:

From the mid-eighteenth century till the early twentieth century, the world was dwelling to a thriving iron trade. The foundries and blast furnaces had been heated by charcoal to the intense temperatures required to soften uncooked iron ore into molten crude, or pig iron. The charcoal was produced by itinerant colliers who chopped wooden lower from the forested hills, stacked it into large mounds, and burned and smoked it over a number of weeks. Stays of those fireside websites (flat round areas) might be seen alongside among the trails. Greater than 3,000 acres of authentic purchases for Housatonic State Forest had been from one iron firm in 1927.

Trails Overview:

The Pine Knob Loop Path is a part of the Connecticut Blue-Blazed Mountain climbing Path System, With greater than 825 miles marked with blue rectangular blazes. The Connecticut Forest & Park Affiliation (CFPA) established the Blue-Blazed Mountain climbing Path System in 1929, when the Quinnipiac Path was created. These trails cross by means of 88 cities traversing each private and non-private lands.

Flip proper – Pine Knob Loop Path

The Pine Knob Loop Path might be the preferred hike within the space and affords good views from close to the highest of Pine Knob of the encircling hills. If doing the hike counterclockwise as described right here, the route is tougher and at instances you’ll have to make use of each your palms and ft to climb over among the steeper rocky sections.

Going clockwise, the ascent just isn’t as steep, however the descent will likely be.

The path is nicely marked in most locations, however there are specific areas that might use an additional blaze or two.

Please Word: The path travels over giant sections of slanted rock slabs which might be hazardous if moist or icy. pair of mountain climbing boots with good gripping soles is really helpful for this hike.

Pine Knob Loop Path

Hike Overview:

That is a type of hikes that I’ve had on my checklist for a number of years. From what I learn, the Pine Knob Loop Path might be the preferred hike within the space. Since it’s about 1-1/2 hours from my dwelling base, it meant getting there early to safe a parking spot and beat the crowds. After we arrived on the trailhead car parking zone on a Sunday in July at about 8:30am, there have been three automobiles within the lot. On the conclusion of the hike, the lot was full.

Pine Knob Loop Trailhead at 8:30am on a Sunday in July.

Each time attainable, in an effort to save lots of my knees, I desire to do steeper uphills and extra reasonable descents. A number of hike reviews that I learn stated that the popular route is counterclockwise, however on the day of this hike, it appeared that everybody was doing it clockwise. As we handed a few hikers and exchanged pleasantries, one in every of them commented “you went up the arduous method.” I answered “I assume so.”

There are a number of stream crossings and waterfalls that had been dry on our go to, however I’ve seen pictures posted by others on social media that had been spectacular.

This hike begins and ends on the Pine Knob Loop trailhead on US-7 in Sharon, Connecticut. As acknowledged beforehand, this explicit hike was carried out counter clockwise, however you possibly can select the route that you simply desire.

Pine Knob Loop Path

It’s a steep climb early on, gaining about 630 ft of elevation in underneath a mile to get to the primary viewpoint. As soon as on the first viewpoint, the majority of the elevation is finished.

elevation profile – Pine Knob Loop Path

The Hike:

On the northern finish of the car parking zone there’s a mild blue blaze painted on a tree. That’s the begin of the Pine Knob Loop Path. You may be following the blue blazes for your complete hike. Proceed forward on a footpath that enters the woods and shortly crosses Hatch Brook on giant rocks. After passing by means of a break in a stone wall, the path involves the beginning of the loop. Both method that you simply go, will convey you again to that spot in case you observe the blue blazes.

Pine Knob Loop Path

dry stream crossing - Pine Knob Loop Trail

dry stream crossing – Pine Knob Loop Path

Pine Knob Loop Path

Flip proper – Pine Knob Loop Path

To proceed within the path of the hike as described right here, flip proper on the Pine Knob Loop Path which borders a stone wall at first, then passes by means of it. The path slowly positive factors elevation because it travels by means of the closely wooded tract. The path quickly crosses an intermittent stream and begins to climb Pine Knob on switchbacks, gaining elevation shortly.

Pine Knob Loop Path

In case you are fortunate, you might even see water cascading down this rock.

dry cascade – Pine Knob Loop Path

The path ranges off briefly, then steepens once more. Because the path positive factors elevation, you might be able to catch glimpses of the encircling countryside by means of the timber. Extra so throughout leaf-off season. Because the Pine Knob Loop Path turns into much more steep, you could have to make use of each palms and ft to climb over some giant rocks.

Pine Knob Loop Path

The path travels over some huge rock slabs and ledges because it winds its method up Pine Knob.

Pine Knob Loop Path

In just below a mile from the beginning and after about 630 ft of elevation acquire, the path reaches an east-facing viewpoint over the closely forested hills of Mine Mountain, Dean Hill and Coltsfoot Mountain, amongst others.

Pine Knob Loop Path

The very best factor about this view is that you may’t see something that’s man-made anyplace.

Pine Knob Loop Path

Excessive warning must be exercised right here, particularly if moist or icy. The path goes straight throughout, however you possibly can veer to the left to keep away from this slanted rock ledge. There’s a steep drop-off right here.

Pine Knob Loop Path

The 1,120-foot-high overlook is full of rock ledges surrounded by white pines, pitch pines, scrub oak, and fallen needles cowl the bottom. A pleasant place to take a seat and relaxation from the steep climb, as you gaze out on the Housatonic River Valley.

First viewpoint – Pine Knob Loop Path

The path climbs some extra then descends steeply right into a hole. The scant blazing on this space makes the path a little bit arduous to observe. On the base of the descent, bear left barely and search for the nicely overwhelmed path.

Pine Knob Loop Path

A brief distance later, the path reaches a junction with the white-blazed Appalachian Path, which is straight forward. Flip left, now following the co-aligned Pine Knob Loop/Appalachian Path.

Pine Knob Loop Path

The signal on the opposite facet of the tree. You may’t see it as you strategy the junction.

Pine Knob Loop Path

For the following 3/4-mile, you can be following each the white and blue blazes. Pay extra consideration to the blue blazes as the 2 trails will ultimately half.

Pine Knob Loop Path/AT

The path now begins to climb regularly, with some brief steep sections. In about 0.4 mile, from the junction with the AT, the path reaches one other east-facing viewpoint.

Pine Knob Loop Path/AT

Appalachian Path viewpoint

This view, though related, just isn’t as good because the earlier one.

Appalachian Path viewpoint

From the perspective, the joint Pine Knob Loop/AT descends steadily. In about 0.3 mile from the perspective, the 2 trails break up. Flip left to stay on the blue-blazed Pine Knob Loop Path.

Pine Knob Loop Path/AT

flip left on Pine Knob Loop Path

Now following solely the blue blazes, the path continues to descend on a large footpath, paralleling then quickly crossing an un-named mountain stream.

Pine Knob Loop Path

Quickly the path approaches and borders Hatch Brook. Because the path descends by means of the Hatch Brook ravine, it passes a number of giant boulders and shortly runs alongside the sting of the scenic brook.

Pine Knob Loop Path

The path then widens to a slender woods street, passing extra attention-grabbing boulders. In about 0.7 mile from the junction with the AT, the path closes the loop, crosses Hatch Brook and returns to the car parking zone, the place the hike started.

Pine Knob Loop Path

Evaluate:

The views are very nice, not the very best that I’ve seen, however very nice. The hike itself was enjoyable and difficult on the similar time. It received the blood pumping early and sometimes. It was a very good name to do that hike in a counterclockwise path. The ultimate mile was a lot simpler on the knees. This place can entice crowds so I might recommend getting an early begin.

Execs:

Good views, principally nicely marked trails, Appalachian Path, attention-grabbing rock formations, good water options throughout moist durations.

Cons:

Some street noise might be heard on sure areas of the path, principally dry streams and cascades.

Take a hike!