Basset Loop
Trail located within
Gerarld Ivers Nature, Southbury,
CT is a hidden treasure amongst
suburban neighborhoods. It's not
likely many people excepts locals
know about it and although there
aren't amazing overviews,
cascading waterfalls, or other
significant landmarks, it's still
a great place to check out. Tall
trees, streams, boggy areas, and a
scenic pond create a nice "get
away from it all" feeling. Sharp
eyes and quiet feet will reveal
woodpeckers, owls, hawks,
songbirds, toad, frogs, turtles,
and a wide range of insects,
plants, and other natural wonders.
Basset Loop along with it's twin
trail, Ivers Loop, seems like your
typical tall hardwood forest trail
but if you're smart you'll take
your time through here and notice
the smaller worlds where a lot of
activity is on going.
Basset Loop can be accessed via
3 different trailheads. The
easiest is via Spur Trail, a short
path, which starts off a dirt road
and makes it's way to Basset. (At
the other end of the nature
preserve is Ivers Loop which is
another option for getting to
Basset Loop. However this should
only be attempted by those in
reasonably good shape and not put
off by a couple of hours of
hiking. The third option is
considered the official trailhead
accessed via a cul-de-sac road
south of the Spur Trail
entrance...Berkshire Hiking can't
give driving direction here
because of lack of knowledge about
the road.) When you meet up with
Basset Loop you can go left or
right and it doesn't matter which
way since it's a loop. However, if
2.5 miles seems like a lot and
you're worried about going too
far, just take the trail to the
left. This
will take you through some nice
hardwood forest terrain and
eventually to a nice, serene
pond landscape. This is a
good place to rest and grab a
snack (hot, muggy summer weather
especially dawn or dusk will bring
out the mosquitos so bring bug
spray). Along the way to the pond
you'll notice old stone fences and
even an old truck (pictured above
in the main photo). Years ago this
was old open farmland and pastures
and the artifacts are the only
remaining hints that the forest
was once a field. Notice a handful
of massive trees mixed in with the
tall hardwoods. It's likey at one
time they were the only trees
standing in open fields.
If you decide to tackle the
whole loop, go right first and the
trail skirts a large estate with
some nice manicured grounds and
open fields (DO NOT venture onto
their property. This is private
property and should be respected
as such. You wouldn't want someone
wandering around your backyard I'm
sure...and security feature are
firmly in place no doubt!) Basset
Loop then meanders through the
woods, passed swampy areas, and
over a couple cascading brooks. Birds
of all kinds are abundant and if
you were to hike at dawn/dusk and
found a quiet spot you're likely
to see deer, turkey, fox, and who
knows what else. If you're into
photography or bird watching bring
your zoom lens or binoculars since
chances are you
are being observed as well.
Owls and hawks rest high in the
trees overseeing their domain. At
the far end of Basset Loop is
Ivers Loop. As noted, if you're
feeling great and enjoying
yourself try tackling Ivers Loop
for more peace and quiet. Click
here for Ivers Loop info.
(Verified page info March 2015)
Click
here if you're interested in
getting a guided hike in this
region.
Directions: Take I-84 to
Newtown exit 10. If you were
traveling east from Danbury area
take a right at the end of the
winding ramp (Diner and gas
stations will be to your
left..don't go that way if
confused). If you were traveling
west from Waterbury area take a
left at the end of the ramp.
Follow this road down until you
reach a small village area with
small shops/stores. Take a left at
traffic light onto Glen Rd. Follow
this road all the way down until
you reach the old iron bridge. At
the end of the bridge take a sharp
left onto River Rd. River Rd.
winds along the Housatonic for a
couples of mile. As you reach the
power plant/large satellite dishes
take the right turn just before
called Purchase Brook Road. A
couple miles up Purchase you'll
come to a stop sign with fork in
the road. Go left following
Purchase Brook Road (do not go
straight onto Stillson Road).
About a 1/2 mile up Purchase is a
left hand turn onto West Purchase
Road. DO NOT take West Purchase
Rd. instead use this as a marker
and begin to slow down because
about a 1/4 to 1/2 mile up the
road from here is a dirt road
called Gilbert Road on the left
hand side. It's hard to notice so
if you're driving to fast you'll
go right passed it. Follow Gilbert
Road about a 1/2 mile and on left
side notice the trailhead signs
for Spur Trail and/or Basset Loop.
Printable
version of the Basset Loop
Trail page
If you have any trail updates to
share or have feedback/questions
please click
here to send email or call
203.788.7665
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