The Colebrook Magic:

Colebrook Land Conservancy’s Sandy Brook Trail

CTMQ.org  |  October 17, 2024

“Man, Colebrook is a pretty town. And making the drive from Peoples State
Forest in  Barkhamsted  to this parcel of woods in Colebrook is quite the drive.
Skinny roads that wind along mountain streams for miles… I know a lot of
Connecticut residents have never been up in this area, but you’re missing out.
It’s transporting.

Sandy Brook Road follows Sandy Brook connecting route 8 (which is a two-
lane road just south of the Massachusetts border) and Route 183, the main
drag through Colebrook. Deep woods Connecticut for sure. The Sandy Brook
Preserve is a small piece of land pretty much within the Algonquin State
Forest. I found Beech Hill Road and its hiker parking area just across a bridge
and began the 1.5 mile loop hike.

Here’s the thing: this trail has no views, no outstanding rock features, no
waterfalls… it’s just a well constructed and blazed loop trail through the
woods of Colebrook.

And you know what? It’s wonderful. All the Colebrook Land Conservancy trails
are wonderful. They are remote and clean and peaceful, with just the right
amount of climb and effort needed. I know my affinity for these far-flung
towns is not shared by everyone, but I’m not going to change.”
For the complete article: https://www.ctmq.org/sandy-brook-trail/

A BEAR-Y GOOD TIME

The Connecticut Land Conservation Council March 25, 2021 newsletter noted the Colebrook Land Conservancy (among others) for cosponsoring the Social Bear talk on Zoom with Ben Kilham in February.

• Cornwall Conservation Trust
• Colebrook Land Conservancy
• Dutchess Land Conservancy (NY)
• Salisbury Association Land Trust
• Sharon Land Trust
• Norfolk Land Trust
• Winchester Land Trust

“Thank you for caring for and studying the bears, I think the sharing of your information can help mitigate some of the unfounded fear that many have of bears.”

That’s what one viewer had to say after watching The Social Black Bear: What Bears Have Taught Me About Being Human, a presentation from Ben Kilham, Ph.D, a wildlife biologist from Lyme, New Hampshire. Reaching communities across town and state borders, the presentation was co-hosted by five land trusts and a local library and publicized through social media and on-line news throughout the region. We just love collaborations…and bears!

Remembering Mike Hurd | 1935 – 2020

Former Colebrook Land Conservancy Trustee, Michael F. Hurd, died on February 11, 2020 in Augusta, GA at the age of 84. Among many other things, Mike was instrumental in the CLCs “Gateway to Colebrook” Project which included the preservation of forty-two acres of fields, wetland and forest at Hale’s Corner (near the intersection of Routes 182 and 183) and the restoration of the historic Hale barn dating from 1797.

Read the Article >>

On July 4th, 2009, Mike delivered an inspiring Independence Day address at the Colebrook Meeting House. It has been a very popular page on the CHS website ever since. Please visit: http://www.colebrookhistoricalsociety.org/MikeHurdJul4_2009.htm to learn more about the life and times of this amazing man.