Starting at Rte 197 (Bigelow Hollow State Park) in Union and ending at the end of the trail (CT/MA Border) ~ 3.7 miles. Returning on Breakneck Pond Trail for a total of 7.6 miles.

Our schedules finally aligned to drive back up to Bigelow Hollow Park to finish the Nipmuck Trail. The last section didn’t disappoint in beauty or serenity. We had the best blue sky and perfect weather for this hike.

As soon as you enter the woods you are surrounded by lush green moss on rocks, on trees, growing on the ground… just about everywhere. The trail eventually drops you next to Breakneck Pond which is simply gorgeous. Nipmuck stays true to its name and gets muddy and mucky in areas. There are many wet spots and side streams to cross that then drop you onto rocks, which can get slippery but, the trail is pretty flat and only has a few gentle inclines and I would rate as easy. There is a campsite on the trail which could be fun to stay at and I found Buddha in a tree.

The Nipmuck Trails comes to and end at the CT/MA border. There is a stone pillar that marks the border, so of course we had some fun there and documented ourselves standing in two states at once.

We loved this trail and I will definitely drop in at certain sections again. It was clean, well groomed, and despite a couple of spots of walking on the road, it was mainly in beautiful nature. We all fell in love with the Fenton River and really enjoyed this trail. Bryan said it was his favorite so far.

To return to the parking lot you can turn back (why?) or continue on the Blue/Red trail. We chose to continue on the trail and complete the loop. Almost instantly on the blured trail you need to cross over a log that crosses a stream. It isn’t that high up, but it is over rocks and takes balance, (this might be why the trail is considered hard by some). Dana decided she wanted to walk in the cold water so she took off her shoes and held our hands as we crossed. (Last time I used a long stick which worked great too.) This side of the pond has some rocky areas and one notable incline, and also offers fantastic views.

Today was a day for amphibians and mushrooms. We saw many toads, frogs, and two salamanders. We found a rainbow of mushrooms and also Chicken of the Woods. Plants and flowers border the entire trail which included asters, wintergreen, ghost pipe (red ones too), and new to me were the white turtlehead flowers.

Adventurers included: Jes, Dana, Bryan & Dogo