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Slipper or Moccasin? LbNA #53918

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Jun 9, 2010
Location:
City:Westbrook
County:Middlesex
State:Connecticut
Boxes:1
Planted by:R
Found by: SherlockMiles
Last found:Mar 3, 2024
Status:FFFFFFFFFFFaFFFF
Last edited:Jun 9, 2010
This hike is about one and a quarter miles out and back; an optional loop will be a little over one and a half miles. The trails are mostly flat. Expect seasonal damp spots.
You will need green, pink and brown ink.

Find your way to the section of Cockaponset State Forest in Westbrook, CT with an entrance on Route 145. Coming from Route 80, it will be on the right and about a mile from the junction of Route 80 and Route 145. Their little brown sign may be hard to see, and the entrance is a narrow road. If you pass Messerschmidt Pond boat launch on your left, you've gone too far.

After you turn into the entrance, follow the narrow road to a nice parking lot. The trail begins where you see the large rocks with assorted smaller rocks balanced on top. The sign board just beyond shows a map of all the trails in this forest. It is a good idea to carry along one of the maps offered in the box, especially if you choose to make this a loop hike.

Initially you will be walking along a wide trail with green blazes. When you come to the orange trail on your left, take it. Enjoy this interesting trail with neat bridges and glimpses of Horse Pond on the left.

Keep following Orange. It makes a short jog to the left where it crosses the Red Trail.

When you come to a "T" with the Green Trail, turn right. Watch on your left for an erratic that appears to have "broken the fall" of a very straight and tall tree some time ago. Its decaying remains and tall stump attest to that! What you seek is behind the erratic hidden under rocks, leaves and twigs. Please hide it back where you found it after stamping in.

This wild flower's name is Cypripedium acaule. However, it has a more easily pronounced common name: PINK LADY'S SLIPPER! Did you know that it is also known as MOCCASIN-FLOWER? It belongs to the Orchid Family. When you see it in the woods, enjoy it where it blooms and leave it there for others to see. Picking this flower endangers their survival, so never try to pick one of these.

I hope you enjoyed this lovely forest. There are more boxes here for you to find!