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Gerald Ivers Nature Preserve/Ivers Loop




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Difficulty: Easy or Moderate

Main Attractions: Tall hardwood forest, bird watching, nice scenic pond, bogs, old stone walls/artifacts.

10 day forecast

Nearby Hikes:
Orenaug Park

Gerald Ivers Preserve in Southbury, CT. is located next to a picturesque New England farm. Iver's Loop trail is a pleasant surprise since the trail head is barely noticeable and is surrounded by suburban neighborhoods. It gives the impression that a short walk through the woods is at hand. Not so. Iver's Loop combined with Basset Loop will take you through quiet peaceful forests, over bogs, and to a serene, picturesque pond. Land preserves like this are amazing since they give feeling you're deep within remote woods. It's quiet, peaceful, and the only traffic you're likely to hear will be produced by birds, bees, squirrels, chipmunks, owls, and hawks.

Iver's Loop begins along the main road and across the street from a residential home. Lawn mowers, street traffic, and other neighborhood noises quickly fade as you make your way through the forest and down a short but steady hill (go right to begin loop...or left is fine if you like to go against the grain). As the trail flattens out, the hardwoods are mixed in within a boggy swamp area that can be muddy depending upon the amount of rain the are has received. This area is interesting in that there are a number of little worlds...a good spot to set the tone for the rest of the hike. If you walk gently through here you're likely to see toads, frogs, small fish, bubble bees, and songbirds. The small brook and leafy undergrowth create a subterranean environment that could go unnoticed if you're only checking out the tall hardwood forest. Soon the trail heads back up another hill and as you wander through here take note of the strange markings on some of these trees. It seems there is some sort of bacteria or disease effecting the bark of these trees. As the trail reaches the top of the hill in flattens out and takes you further into the woods. Thick woodlands still pervade along with the sights and sounds of the abundant bird activity. Old stone walls from years ago are still firmly in place. These boundaries separated pastures and farmlands from the various family properties. It's hard to believe that a long time ago this zone was practically treeless with wide open fields. If you look closely you'll notice a handful of huge trees with large trunks. At one time they were the only trees standing in the middle of a field.

As you reach the far end of Ivers Loop you have a decision to make. Ivers Loop meets up with Basset Loop which is another 2.5 miles round trip. If you're tired stay on Ivers Loop and make your way back to the car. If you have a bit of energy you can stay to the right and follow Basset Loop to Pond Spur Trail...10 minutes away. Visit this very and rest/snack before heading back to Ivers Loop and the car. If you're loving the peace and quiet keep going and enjoy Basset Loop. Click here to for Basset Loop info.


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 Brook is a left hand turn onto West Purchase Road. Take West Purchase and follow it as it winds down a road and passed a farm. The road bends sharply to the right and a few hundred yards passed the farm house is the entrance to Ivers Loop Trail. There are only a couple of spaces available in the little dirt cut out.

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