Teetertown Ravine Nature Preserve

HUNTING: Not permitted on weekends; weekday hikers are advised to wear blaze orange during hunting season 

East of the parking area, a sign gives the history of the Mountain Farm, where the hike begins. Proceed ahead on a paved road (shown on the park map as the "Pond Trail"), which soon becomes a gravel road and passes between a pond on the left and a large field on the right. At a sign just beyond the pond, bear right and cut across the field on a mowed path, following the arrow towards the "Hilltop Campsites."

When you reach the treeline on the opposite side of the field, bear left and follow along the edge of the field. Soon, you'll come to a wooden post with a red diamond blaze at a black metal bench. Here, the Red Trail comes in from the right and begins to run along the edge of the field. Continue ahead along the treeline, then follow the Red Trail as it turns right at a double blaze and enters the woods on a footpath.

The scenic Teetertown Ravine soon appears below to the left. The Red Trail descends partway into the ravine and reaches a T-intersection with the White Trail. Turn right, now following both red and white blazes along an old woods road, which bears right, away from the ravine.

When the red and white blazes diverge, turn left, now following the White Trail, which descends gradually. After briefly paralleling a stream to the right, you'll reach a junction with the Geology Study Trail, marked by a sign on the right. Turn right and follow this unmarked trail downhill on switchbacks (note especially the sharp right turn just before marker 5). The trail parallels an interesting gneiss outcrop (note the split boulder at marker 3) and ends at the unpaved Hollow Brook Road.

Turn right and follow this narrow dirt road (although open to vehicular traffic, it is very little used) along the cascading Hollow Brook. Soon, you'll pass a sign that gives the history of the former mill along the brook, acquired by John Teeter in 1814. You'll cross the brook on a stone-arch bridge, beyond which the road becomes paved. After passing between two homes, you'll reach a T-intersection. Here, you turn right onto Teetertown Road, which recrosses the brook on another stone-arch bridge.

Just beyond an old stone foundation to the right (and before you come to a sharp left turn in the road), a double blue blaze on the right marks the start of the Blue Trail. Turn right and follow the Blue Trail rather steeply uphill, with a massive stone wall on the left. At the top of the climb, the trail turns right and heads north through the woods.

In another half mile, after crossing a stream on rocks, the Blue Trail ends at a junction with the Red Trail. Turn left and follow the Red Trail for a third of a mile to the large field, passing several campsites along the way. When you reach the field, turn left along its edge, follow the mowed path across the field, then turn left on the road (Pond Trail), retracing your steps back to the parking area where the hike began.