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.
Printable
version of the Gerald Ivers
Preserve page
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