January 8, 2019

$162,500 DEEP Grant Award for Westwoods

In late December, the CT DEEP announced that the GLCT has been selected to receive a $162,500 grant from the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program in connection with the acquisition of 32 acres within the forest of Westwoods.  This funding acknowledges the importance of protecting and keeping intact one of the few remaining forested areas of its […]
Articles
August 26, 2018

How to Help GLCT Purchase Westwoods ‘Missing Piece’

  From the Guilford Courier… Fifty years after Guilford Land Conservation Trust (GLCT) first began conserving the woodlands that have created Westwoods, the non-profit, all-volunteer organization is closing in on purchasing the final “Missing Piece”—and they need your help. “This is the last 30 acres,” says David C. Grigsby, GLCT president and leader of the charge to save the Missing […]
Articles
November 2, 2017

Ticked Off – The Lowdown on Ticks

In June, GLCT was pleased to co-host with the Guilford Conservation Commission, “Ticked Off: The Lowdown on Ticks” talk by Dr. Scott Williams of the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station. Dr. Williams has spent 20 years studying the impacts of overabundant deer herds and their impacts on ecosystem and public health. But more recently, he has become an expert at live-trapping […]
Articles
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 1 – Lost Lake Vista

General Description: Are you looking for a moderately difficult hike with a water vista? The Westwoods Trails Committee developed Loop 1 with that in mind. The trailhead is located at the Sam Hill Road entrance, incorporates the white circle and white square trails, and brings you to the Lost Lake Vista. Sights: Lost Lake vistas, evidence of quarry […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 2 – Split Rock

General Description: Are you looking for a moderately easy hike with a water vista? TheWestwoods Trails Committee developed Loop 2 with that in mind. The trailhead islocated at the Sam Hill Road entrance and incorporates sections of three popular trails.Beginning on the white circle trail, the orange circle then brings you to the Lost LakeVista. The hike returns […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 3 – Cairn and Cave

General Description: Loop #3 begins with beautiful scenery and easy hiking on the RedTriangle trail. You’ll find a fascinating natural rock cave on the Orange Circle trail for thesecond half of the loop, which has a few rocky climbs and descents. Sights: Surviving Hemlock trees, a curious cairn, and a real Indian cave. Difficulty: A short and moderate […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 4 – The White Squeeze

General Description: Loop #4 begins with a short and easy hike to Lost Lake and then a hike along a ridge with beautiful views of the valley below. You’ll return with a hike down through the valley following below the rock ridge. Sights: Views of Lost Lake (with great picnic spots) and impressive natural rock formations including a […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 5 – Mountain Laurel Forest

Distance: 3 miles Allow: 90 minutes Elevation Gain: 337 feet Difficulty: 2.5 Easy to Moderate (a couple of fairly steep climbs.) Terrain: Some steep climbs Not suitable for trail running. General Description: To access Loop 5, begin at the Trailhead at the end of Dunk Rock Road, directly across from Bishop’s Raspberry field. Off-road parking is available on […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 6 – The Nature Trail

General Description: Ever wonder what Witch Hazel looks like? Can you tell the difference between a white pine and tupelo tree? The Westwoods Nature Trail was designed to introduce you to the forest by providing 40 points of interest, known as stations, that will answer those questions for you and so much more. To experience the trail as […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 7 – Ridges and Valleys

Distance: 2 miles Allow: Allow an hour Elevation Gain: 314 feet General Description: Reversing the effects of too much screen time, Loop 7 meanders through ridges and valleys in Westwoods. It’s the perfect antidote to modern life. Difficulty: A fairly easy hike with a somewhat narrow boardwalk. Terrain: Mostly civilized woods roads with some rocky but moderate climbs, […]
Hikes
March 24, 2017

Westwoods Loop 8 – Dinosaur Rock

Distance: 2.5 miles Duration: 75 minutes Elevation Gain: 250 feet Difficulty: A moderate hike with no real difficult areas. Terrain: Combination of old woods roads and trails. Not suitable for trail running General Description: A moderate hike in the woods taking you by some monuments of rock walls including Dunk’s Rock, the Massive Dinosaur Rock, and the Great […]
Hikes