It’s not often in Connecticut hiking that a 19th-century covered bridge serves as a trailhead, but welcome to the southern portion of the Salmon River State Forest. One of three in the state, the Comstock Covered Bridge links East Hampton and Colchester. It is also the start of a loop trail through a deep hemlock and oak forest and ravines of the 6,000-acre state forest, Day Pond State Park and past one of the state’s prettiest waterfalls.
Before tackling the trail, take some time to explore the wooden Howe truss covered bridge where visitors can see the Salmon River passing under the span through the cracks in the floorboards or look out the windows for spectacular views up and down the river. The Comstock, along with Bulls Bridge in Kent and the West Cornwall Covered Bridge over the Housatonic River in West Cornwall, are the only remaining historic covered bridges in Connecticut.
On the Colchester side of the bridge, look for signs noting the start of the Connecticut Forest & Park Association’s “Salmon River Trail,” part of the association’s 825-mile Blue-Blazed Trail network. The start of the trail winds along the river’s banks where huge trees overhang and an old mill can be seen across the waterway.
NEW YEAR SALE: Only 99¢ for Unlimited Digital Access!
The most difficult part of the trail is a climb to a scenic overlook. A gradual ascent with wooden steps strategically placed along the way, it’s worth the effort for spectacular views across a seemingly never-ending swath of forests and the Air Line Trail’s buried Lyman Viaduct seen in the distance. Below, the Salmon River thunders over an impressive series of rapids.
The trail eventually turns east before reaching a utility right-of-way, but you will want to take some time to check out the view. While I’m not a fan of the swaths of clear-cuts made by utilities, in some cases they open up the view, and this one is a must-see.
More for you
The trail winds through the woods to a second overlook before crossing a stream, the utility right-of-way and across Day Pond Brook. Be on the lookout for a trail marked with red and blue blazes that takes hikers along an out-and-back path to Day Pond Brook Falls.
Tucked away in a hemlock grove along an abandoned road, the falls plunge over huge, moss-covered boulders near the brook’s confluence with the Salmon River. Hemlocks tower above the falls. Above and below the main display, the brook runs over a series of smaller cascades, giving the appearance that the waterfalls are endless.
An old road, with a rusting abandoned car as a waymark, will take visitors to the banks of the Salmon River, while the northern portion of the blue-blazed trail passes through the forest to Day Pond State Park. There is no mystery about how the park got its name — the Day family were among the original settlers, dammed the pond, and operated a sawmill.
Spend some time checking out the area around the pond along the park’s road and a path marked with yellow blazes. It’s nice to walk along the park’s beach in winter and early-spring solitude. Be sure to check out the workmanship of the stone dam at the northern end of the pond.
The blue-blazed trail passes out of the park and past a granite marker, noting you will be entering the “Arnold Ravine Wilderness Area.” The 55 acres were donated in 1987 by Milt and Joyce Arnold to “set apart and preserve as a natural area.” The path continues down to the overlook and a return trip to the covered bridge.
Salmon River Trail, Colchester
The bottom line: A trip through a 19th-century covered bridge to the top of a hill with tremendous views across the rapids of the Salmon River and area forests. Trails pass through a deep oak and hemlock forest and along a ravine with the energetic Day Pond Brook leading to one of the most scenic waterfalls in Connecticut.
Difficulty: Easy to moderate.
Total length: More than five miles of trails through this portion of the Salmon River State Forest and Day Pond State Park.
Directions: The Comstock Bridge trailhead is located along Route 16 several miles west of its intersection with Route 149. Turn on Comstock Bridge Road and park in the dirt lot next to the bridge. Day Pond State Park is located off Route 149 about a mile south of its intersection with Route 16. Turn on Peck Lane and follow the signs to the park. The park’s gates open in early April, but there is a large lot at the end of Day Pond Road that is open year round. For a map of both the forest and park, go to tinyurl.com/salmonriverstateforest.
Pet friendly?: Leashed dogs are allowed and must be cleaned up after. There is also a Connecticut Horse Council-recommended trail through this portion of the state forest.
Things to do nearby
Priam Vineyards: The winery tasting bar, tasting room and wine patio are open year round with wine tastings of international award-winning wines on the patio with local foods. During the summer there are concerts, wine dinners on the patio, local artisanal cheese and wine-tasting seminars and other public events. Selections include Jeremy River white, Salmon River white, Blackledge red, Salmon River rosé, St. Croix bourbon barrel aged and Westchester red. 11 Shailor Hill Road, Colchester, 860-267-8520
Cato Corner Farm: Raw farmstead cheese is made by hand here from the milk of 45 Jersey cows, which are raised on a pasture-based diet without growth hormones or subtherapeutic antibiotics. The cheeses are the farm’s unique recipes, and are aged in an underground cave where they are ripened to their peak flavor. More than a dozen cheeses are made at the farm including Bridgid’s Abbey, Hooligan, Dutch Farmstead, Bloomsday and Dairyere. 178 Cato Corner Road, Colchester, 860-463-6677
The Plum Tomato: Owners Brian and Cindy Thomas opened this spot in 2000, bringing wood-fired, brick-oven pizza and Brickini, Fatti and wrap sandwiches to town. All dishes are made in house from scratch with more than a dozen sandwich selections including Sammy the Bull, Da Bomb, Titanic Turkey, Horton Hears a What? and Bubba Gump. More than a dozen specialty pizzas include fiery Hawaiian, Godfather, margherita, Leo Da Vinci, Kiss of Death and Little Big Mac. 275 S. Main St., Colchester, 860- 537-3996
860-261-4405
Service Areas
