What: Stone Man (Canaan) MountainWhere: 25 Steep Road, Falls Village, Connecticut 06031Points of interest: Decent views, unique floraIntensity: ModerateLength: 2.7 milesType: Out-and-backIt should be noted there is no actual parking lot for Stone Man Mountain. When you're within sight of the end of Canaan Mountain Road, start looking to your left for an unmarked break in the grass — just behind...
What: Stone Man (Canaan) Mountain
Where: 25 Steep Road, Falls Village, Connecticut 06031
Points of interest: Decent views, unique flora
Intensity: Moderate
Length: 2.7 miles
Type: Out-and-back
It should be noted there is no actual parking lot for Stone Man Mountain. When you're within sight of the end of Canaan Mountain Road, start looking to your left for an unmarked break in the grass — just behind that is the trailhead. I found it was easier to just go to the end of the road, turn around and then park.
After you’ve parked you’ll be greeted with a small clearing and a rather large signboard detailing the history of the land. Even though the hearths were silenced a century ago the once booming charcoal industry continues to impact the land.
Just beyond the signboard is the start of the trail marked by orange blazes. The trail starts out fairly flat for the first quarter mile before descending into a low lying wetland. The area is so thick with ferns it instantly feels like you’ve been transported to Jurassic Park. Unfortunately, lots of ferns also means a lot of mosquitoes, due to the fact that both require wet environments. I only got to enjoy the view for about 30 seconds before a black cloud of mosquitoes found me. Not wanting to be eaten alive, I hurried along toward the bridge and freedom; after the bridge the trail starts to gain elevation, leaving the ferns and mosquitoes far behind.
From here it’s just less than a mile to the top of Stone Man Mountain, but only 300 feet of elevation gain. So even though it’s basically straight up the mountain, it’s still a fairly easy hike. Along the way you’ll pass an old charcoal hearth, quarry, and as you get closer to the top, small outcroppings of moss and lichen. It might not seem like much, but the lichen is probably the oldest thing on the mountain. With the elevation and harsh weather everything up here takes much longer to grow than normal, with only the most adaptable life able to survive.
From the bridge it took 45 minutes to reach the top of Stone Man Mountain. At the third rock outcropping there is a small 90-degree view, but the most interesting thing here is the moss and lichen. It’s not unusual to find it at the top of mountains in the northeast, but what is unusual is the sheer amount of it here. The entire top of the mountain is covered in a layer of moss and lichen so thick it looks like some kind of alien forest-coral.
Enjoy the scenery but pay close attention to the trail and where you're stepping, some of the lichen is nearly as fragile as coral. After you’ve taken in the view, retrace your steps back down the mountain. From the top it took me 40 minutes to get back to my car.
Tom Ricci writes The Trail Marker, detailing area hiking adventures, for the Journal. Contact him at [email protected]
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