Pomerance Park

January 27, 2024 – Greenwich, Connecticut

Issue: Simple

Size: Roughly 2.5 miles

Max elevation: 83 ft. – whole elevation achieve roughly 135 ft.

Map: Pomerance Park Path Map

Parking: 101 Orchard St, Greenwich, CT 06830

Paved car parking zone – Restrooms on web site

Hours: Open 12 months spherical, dawn to sundown

Park Overview:

Pomerance Park is positioned in Cos Cob, a neighborhood within the city of Greenwich, Connecticut. The City-owned park is comprised of 107 acres that options climbing trails and the stone ruins of the previous property of Ernest Thompson Seton, who helped set up the Boy Scouts of America within the early twentieth century.

The park can be dwelling to the 4.6-acre Cos Cob Pond, paved and unpaved trails, an elevated picket boardwalk and a few attention-grabbing historic remnants which are scattered about, such because the “Hobbit Home” positioned not removed from the doorway.

Pomerance Park is open to the general public and managed by the Greenwich Division of Parks & Recreation.

Historical past:

The historical past of Pomerance Park is outstanding, starting with naturalist-author Ernest Thompson Seton (August 14, 1860 – October 23, 1946) laying out his Wyndygoul property in 1901. In Scottish Gaelic, Wyndygoul interprets to Windy Gulch or Windy Glen.

There he created the Woodcraft Indians, a precursor to the Boy Scouts of America.

Ernest Thompson Seton is the daddy of distinguished historic fiction author Anya Seton. Mr. Seton would finally promote his property in 1912 to financier Maurice Wertheim (February 16, 1886 – Might 27, 1950), who willed the property to his three daughters, one in every of whom married into the Pomerance household, and one other grew to become the distinguished historian and Pulitzer profitable creator (twice), Barbara W. Tuchman. The property was then divided among the many three sisters.

The house was demolished in 2014, however its stone partitions have been preserved as a memorial to Seton. There’s a plaque commemorating Wyndygoul and Seton within the park.

You can too see a number of options outstanding in a few of Seton’s writings about his dwelling, together with the pond and Medication Rock.

In 2003, the City acquired 75 acres of the Pomerance Property off Orchard Road. Then, in 2007 the Tuchman Property added 31 extra acres.

For extra details about Wyndygoul and the historical past of the park, test the hyperlinks on the backside of the web page.

Trails Overview:

The red-blazed path is the principle path within the park. It runs largely across the perimeter of the property, however passes by or close to a lot of the factors of curiosity. On the map it’s listed as 1.3 miles lengthy, however it might be slightly longer.

There are unmarked footpaths, together with paved and filth roads that criss-cross the property. Pomerance Park is adjoining to the 90-acre Montgomery Pinetum Park, which has extra trails to discover.

Hike Overview:

Pomerance Park could also be accessed from Orchard Road within the Cos Cob neighborhood of Greenwich, CT. There’s a paved lot that holds about 14 vehicles.

There are restrooms out there, simply throughout from the Hobbit Home, not removed from the doorway.

I occurred to encounter this park whereas looking the web for one thing else. After seeing some photos of attention-grabbing stone constructions, I made a decision to test it out. It’s solely a 1/2 hour drive from the Tappan Zee Bridge and fewer than 5 miles from Greenwich Level Park, one other good spot to take a look at.

We arrived on the park about 8:30am on a Saturday morning and there have been a number of vehicles within the lot. Upon our return, at about 10am, there have been nonetheless a number of spots out there. From what I learn and noticed throughout my go to, it’s a well-liked spot for canine walkers.

This hike is generally a counterclockwise loop utilizing the Crimson Path. The elevation achieve is minimal and the woods, for probably the most half, are quiet, apart from the occasional barking canines and loud cellphone talkers.

It rained for days previous to our go to, and the bottom was fairly saturated, making the moist areas muddy, however satisfactory. I like to recommend sporting waterproof boots.

The Hike:

On the southeastern finish of the car parking zone, search for a break within the picket fence with a pink blaze on a tree. That is the beginning of the loop. Proceed forward, following the nicely marked path which parallels Orchard Road, however quickly turns left, heading north. The Crimson Path quickly approaches a paved street and turns left, now working alongside Brothers Brook.

In about 1/3 of a mile, the Crimson Path reaches the southern finish of Cos Cob Pond. Simply earlier than reaching the pond, there’s a brief spur path on the left that results in the Stone Arch bridge and a picturesque small waterfall. Chances are you’ll need to take a couple of minutes to get pleasure from this scenic spot.

Beneath is an outdated picture earlier than the  Stone Arch bridge was constructed.

Mr. Seton created the Cos Cob Pond after damming Brothers Brook. As well as, he populated the pond with trout, bass, duck and geese.

When you find yourself able to proceed, return to the Crimson Path, which follows the paved street uphill. In a brief distance, the Crimson Path veers proper and leaves the paved street, now working alongside a large filth path.

The path quickly bears proper at a fork. Bear left, leaving the path momentarily to the positioning of an outdated root cellar.

When you find yourself accomplished testing the foundation cellar, return to the Crimson Path and switch left, heading northeast. A brief distance later, the Crimson Path comes to a different junction and turns left, now joined by the Inexperienced Path (from Montgomery Pinetum Park), which is available in from the fitting.

Observe the Crimson Path because it passes beneath a trestle bridge. Instantly after passing beneath the bridge, flip left and observe an unmarked footpath uphill to the positioning of Wyndygoul.

In a really brief distance, the path reaches the stone ruins of Wyndygoul. Chances are you’ll need to take some time right here to discover this attention-grabbing space.

This viewpoint, as soon as held a grand view of the pond and the backyard beneath. The timber have since grown up, obscuring the view.

The stone backyard just under the Wyndygoul web site. We’d be headed there quickly.

Reverse the pond overlook is a curved stone wall with benches inbuilt. The view extends over the woods and the Crimson Path beneath.

When you find yourself accomplished testing these historic ruins, retrace your steps again to the trestle bridge and cross it. 

On the cut up within the bridge, flip proper to take a look at extra ruins. 

Retrace your steps and observe a path that curves round to the left and meets up with the Crimson Path. Flip proper on the Crimson Path and observe it downhill.

The Crimson Path involves a T-intersection and turns proper. It is best to depart the Crimson Path and observe one other unmarked path that runs alongside the left of the pond. This brief footpath will convey you to the backyard ruins alongside the sting of Cos Cob Pond.

When you find yourself able to proceed, retrace your steps alongside the sting of the pond, rejoin the Crimson Path and proceed straight, now heading north.

Quickly the Crimson Path turns left, heading in a westerly path. The path now skirts personal property because it runs alongside the northern perimeter of the park.

In a brief distance, the Crimson Path crosses a picket bridge over Brothers Brook, the inlet stream of Cos Cob Pond, and turns proper. After crossing the bridge, flip left at this junction, leaving the Crimson Path briefly, and stroll a brief distance on the unmarked woods street.

A brief distance down that street, on the left, there may be an outdated chimney within the woods that was as soon as the positioning of a log cabin. This can be laborious to see when the foliage is grown in.

Beneath is a picture of the cabin that was there.

Return to the junction with the Crimson Path and switch left.

The path heads west then curves south, bordering personal properties on the fitting. The path quickly passes via wetlands, with picket planks and stepping stones to assist preserve your ft dry.

The Crimson Path quickly emerges on a paved park street and turns proper. Observe the paved street a brief distance and preserve your eyes open for an unmarked footpath on the left, marked with a stone with a plaque on it. Flip left on this footpath to the situation of Medication Rock.

When you find yourself accomplished, return to the paved street and switch left. Not removed from Medication Rock, is the Hobbit Home.

I couldn’t discover any data on the aim of this distinctive wanting construction, nor the 12 months that it was constructed, however it makes for an intriguing cease alongside the path.

Chances are you’ll need to return to the southern finish of Cos Cob Pond, which is shut by, for an additional look. 

When you find yourself able to proceed, retrace your steps again to the Hobbit Home and switch left. The restrooms are positioned reverse the Hobbit Home, so if it’s important to go, it is a good time to take action.

Proceed on the paved street (route of the Crimson Path) and observe it a brief distance again to the car parking zone, the place the hike started.

Evaluate:

Though brief in distance, this hike packs a number of factors of curiosity. The Crimson Path is nicely marked and simple to observe. The vast majority of people who we noticed, had been alongside the paved sections. We didn’t see anybody alongside the filth (muddy on today) trails. This can be a very nice spot to go to for the historic options alone. I might suggest this hike for anybody in search of a simple hike within the woods.

Professionals:

Scenic panorama, historic options, stone ruins, Cos Cob Pond, the Crimson Path is nicely marked.

Cons:

Not a lot data out there on a number of the constructions within the park.

Take a hike!

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