Mashamoquet Brook State Park Bouldering

STANDARD APPROACH DIRECTIONS:

Generally, the boulders in the park are best approached from the closed gate off of Wolf Den Road (not the other end of Wolf Den DRIVE) in Pomfret, CT. This is on the west end of the park. Don't be confused by all the different entrances to the park. This gate is at the intersection of Wolf Den Road, Jericho Road, and the main dirt road through the park (Wolf Den Drive). 

From the Jericho Road gate, walk up the main dirt road for approximately 10 minutes. At that point, the approaches take different paths. 

On the right, you'll see an obvious side road. This side road takes you to the Big Bad Boulder and it's associated boulders.

On the left, you'll see a blue blazed trail. This left turn will take you to the Hermit Boulder.

To find The Old Path Boulder (and it's associated boulders) you must continue straight on the main dirt road. 

See the individual boulder headings for approach directions from here.

ALTERNATIVE APPROACH DIRECTIONS:

For a quicker approach to Lost Boulder, Woodland Creatures, and The Old Path, you can enter from the east side of the park at a closed gate on Wolf Den Drive (NOT Wolf Den Road). This will allow you to reach those areas in 15 minutes or less. This gate is located near an unoccupied house (owned by the park) just past the entrance to Wolf Den Campground. Park on the side of Wolf Den Drive at this gate, or park down at the Wolf Den Campground.

1- From this gate, walk up the dirt road (Wolf Den Drive) for about 10 minutes to the Red Blazed Trail.

2- Take a left onto this trail and walk for about a minute to a fork in the trail. To the left, the red blazed trail continues. To the right is an unmarked path (abandoned farm road). Stop here.

3- To find Lost Boulder, don't take either of these trails. Instead, leave the trail and enter the woods to your left. Lost Boulder is about 50 yards away walking perpendicular to the red blazed trail. Initially, you'll veer to the left taking the easiest path through the brush. When the brush thins out, aim for the obvious small boulder. Next, aim for the hemlock tree. This tree marks the best spot to drop down to the climbs. The boulder is hidden from view on the approach because its a small cliff band facing away from you.

4- To find Woodland Creatures and The Old Path, take a right at the fork. This will put you on the unmarked path (abandoned farm road). Follow this overgrown path for a few minutes. The first prominent boulder you'll see (uphill to your right) is Woodland Creatures. If you continue on the overgrown path, you'll see Minutemen Boulder and Low Down Boulder nearby on your right. Just beyond these boulders, the path curves slightly. Soon, you'll be able to see The Old Path Boulder at a distance to your right.

5- If you would like to continue on to the rest of the boulders in the park, you can return to the main dirt road easily from The Old Path. Stand in front of The Old Path, facing the boulder. The main dirt road (Wolf Den Drive) is about 100 yards away if you walk directly forward from this position. When you reach the dirt road, take a left to find Big Bad Boulder or Hermit Boulder (see Standard Approach Directions). If you take a right instead, you can follow Wolf Den Drive back down to the parking for the Alternative Approach.

KNOW MAN'S LAND APPROACH DIRECTIONS:

Know Man's Land requires a completely different approach from the other areas. Park at the lot near the ranger's cabin at Wolf Den Campground. This is on the east side of the park on Wolf Den Drive (NOT Wolf Den Road). You'll follow the Blue Blazed Trail found just south of this lot. For specifics from here, see "Getting There" under Know Man's Land. The total approach will take about 12 minutes.