Shenipsit State Forest facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shenipsit State Forest |
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View from Soapstone Mountain summit lookout tower in Connecticut's Shenipsit State Forest.
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 Shenipsit State Forest
Location in Connecticut
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| Location | Tolland, Connecticut, United States |
| Area | 6,962 acres (28.17 km2) |
| Elevation | 886 ft (270 m) |
| Established | 1927 |
| Governing body | Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection |
| Website | Shenipsit State Forest |
Shenipsit State Forest is a special natural area in northeastern Connecticut. It's made up of 11 different pieces of land. These pieces are spread across the towns of Somers, Ellington, and Stafford.
The main office of the forest is home to the Civilian Conservation Corps Museum. This museum has cool items from CCC camps. The CCC was a program that helped young men find work during the Great Depression. They built many parks and forests across the United States.
Shenipsit State Forest is managed to grow trees for wood products. It's also a great place for outdoor fun. You can enjoy many activities here, like hiking and biking.
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Exploring Shenipsit State Forest
Shenipsit State Forest covers a large area of land. It is mostly located in a hilly region called the Eastern New England Uplift. Some parts of the forest are also near the eastern edge of the Connecticut River Valley. This valley is the land around the Connecticut River.
Soapstone Mountain's Summit
The highest point completely inside the forest is Soapstone Mountain. It stands at about 1,075 feet (328 meters) tall. Right next to the forest, in the town of Somers, is Bald Mountain. This mountain is even taller at 1,121 feet (342 meters). Bald Mountain is the highest spot along the eastern edge of the Connecticut River Valley. This area stretches all the way from Long Island Sound to the Vermont border.
The land in the forest can rise quite a bit. Some areas go up about 800 feet (244 meters) from the nearby Connecticut River Valley. Other hills in the forest usually rise about 300 to 500 feet (91 to 152 meters) from the surrounding land.
Ancient Rocks and History
If you walk through the forest, you'll see many large rocks and boulders. These were left behind by the last ice age. This was a time long ago when huge sheets of ice covered much of the Earth.
Soapstone Mountain also has a cool history. Long ago, during Colonial times, people used to dig for soapstone here. Soapstone is a soft rock that was used for things like carving and making tools.
Fun Activities in the Forest
Shenipsit State Forest is a fantastic place for outdoor adventures. There are many ways to explore and enjoy nature here.
The Shenipsit Trail
A long walking path called the Shenipsit Trail goes right through the forest. This trail is about 40 miles (64 kilometers) long. It stretches from East Hampton all the way to Somers. The trail even goes over the top of Soapstone Mountain.
Soapstone Mountain Lookout Tower
At the top of Soapstone Mountain, you'll find the only lookout tower in northeastern Connecticut. This tower gives you amazing views of the area. The first fire tower on the mountain was taken down in 1971.
Trails for Everyone
The forest has many different trails. These trails are perfect for all sorts of activities:
- Hiking: Enjoy a walk through the woods.
- Mountain biking: Ride your bike on exciting trails.
- Equestrian travel: If you have a horse, you can ride it on some trails.
- Cross-country skiing: In winter, you can ski across the snowy landscape.
