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There appears to be limited parking at the actual AT crossing of CT Route 4. Nearest good parking is at the Breadloaf Mt. (Mohawk Trail) parking area on the west side of US 7, just north of the intersection with Route 4 on the WEST side of the Housatonic River. (See Mile 11.2 of Section 3). There is a blue oval "Mohawk Trail" sign at the hiker parking lot. By my odometer it is 0.8 miles from the AT crossing of Route 4 to the parking area. The attached map delineates the route from the parking area to the trail crossing. GPS coordinates at the trail crossing are N 41.8229 W 73.3865.
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There is an oval "Appalachian Trail" sign at the crossing. The crossing is obvious, espescially on foot. Click on the street view near the red marker on the map to see the area of the crossing. While ascending Route 4 to the crossing, blue blazes may be seen, part of a high-water detour around Guinea Brook. At the crossing, the nortbound trail descends into the ravine of Guinea Brook. The southbound trail starts the steep ascent of Silver Hill. 12/6/20
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10-12
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David Cullen
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There are two or three parking spots right at the AT crossing of CT Route 4, parked there today 8/16/2017. There are a few more about 20 feet away for a total of 5-6. 08/16/17
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5-6
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graham5 @ hvc.rr.com
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See directions for Mile 1.7 to the point where River Road becomes dirt and paved Dawn Hill Road bears right. This road climbs steeply. The trail crossing is about 0.2 miles further. There is no parking here or in the immediate vicinity. Best parking is at the River Road/Dawn Hill Road intersection. See Mile 1.7
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The marker on the attached map indicates the approximate trail crossing. GPS N 41.8077 W 73.3940 12/6/20
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David Cullen
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Start from the intersection of US 7 and CT route 4 on the west side of the Housatonic River. A side street (River Road) comes in from the east a few feet north of the intersection. Follow this. It goes past a church, bears right (south) and continues along the river. In 1.6 miles from the intersection, the paved road (now called Dawn Hill Road) bears to the right. River Road continues straight ahead, now as a narrow dirt road. Roadside parking is available at the intersection. The abutments of the old bridge mentioned above can still be seen. There is a picture of the intersection in those supplied for this section (section 4). The marker on the attached map indicates the intersection. GPS N 41.8079 W 73.3919
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To reach the AT walk south down River Road. In a short distance a spring is on the right and just beyond that is the AT. The northbound trail goes right (west) and starts to climb. The southbound trail continues straight ahead, beginning what is called the River Walk. The trail follows fairly close to the west bank of the Housatonic mostly following River Road, which has been long closed to vehicle traffic from just south of this point to the North Kent Bridge Site almost four miles away. 12/6/20
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Roadside parking for 4-5 cars
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David Cullen
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From the intersection of US 7 and CT Route 341, proceed west on the latter. Immediately after crossing the Housatonic River, go right (north) on Skiff Mt. Road. In about 1.5 miles, the paved road bears left. River Road, a gravel road which is not maintained in winter, goes straight ahead, closely following the west bank of the Housatonic. Continue about 2.7 miles to the end of this road. There is a parking area on the left there. For the last mile, the road is part of the AT and white blazes will be seen.
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The original route of the northbound AT used to cross the river here on the North Kent Bridge which was washed out many years ago (1936). Now for almost 4 miles the northbound trail mostly follows a section of River Road which has long been closed to vehicular traffic. This is called the River Walk. The southbound trail follows River Road south for 1 mile then goes west into the woods to climb St. John's Ledges.12/6/20
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10-12
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David Cullen
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Important Update: Dave Boone, chair of the Connecticut AMC Appalachian Trail Committee which maintains the trail in CT, a gate has been installed just north of the parking area for St. John's Ledges. This is supposedly closed from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Therefore this parking area may not always be available. The committee has had trouble with fires, littering and partying at this site.
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See attached map. This parking area is at the end of the drivable portion of River Road on the west bank of the Housatonic. GPS N 41.7679 W 73.4390 . The parking lot does not appear to be visible on the satellite view but its close to the point indicated by the marker There is a photo of the parking area in the pictures for this section. . I do not think that the North Kent Road shown intersecting with River Road is still open. I never saw any evidence of this side road. The track of the AT shown on the map is way off. 12/6/20
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10-12
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David Cullen
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See directions to the parking area at the North Kent Bridge site (Mile 5.4). The trailhead for the St. John's Ledges section is a mile south of this or 2.9 miles from Route 341 in Kent. It has been some time since I was there. AT the time there was room for 2-3 cars to park at the trailhead which is on the west side of the road and room for several more in small pull-offs in the general vicinity. I understand the parking area has been recently refurbished. The maps attached for Skiff Mt. Road (Mile 8.3) and North Kent Bridge (Mile 5.4) may be helpful in locating River Road, but the parking areas do no show up on the maps, even the satellite view. The marker indicates the location of the parking area. GPS N 41.7577 W 73.4506 Note: The trace for the Appalachian Trail shown on the Google Map (2017) in this area is way off.
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At this point, the southbound trail goes west and soon starts the steep climb up St. Johns Ledges. The northbound follows River Road north. 12/6/20
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See directions
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David Cullen
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From the intersection of US 7 and CT Route 341, proceed west on the latter. Immediately after crossing the Housatonic River, go right (north) on Skiff Mt. Road for 1.0 mile to reach the pull-off mentioned here. GPS N41.7390 W73.4722. See Parking Safety for more comments about alternate parking in this area.
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River Rd is not maintained in winter north of Skiff Mtn Rd. It remains open but since there are a couple of steepish sections, it may not be wise to rely on the access points at miles 5.4 and 6.4 in snowy or icy conditions. There is a small parking area for 3-4 cars on Skiff Mtn Rd 0.1 miles south of the junction of River Rd that can be used to walk in to the AT along River Rd, if River Rd is not passable to your vehicle. The St John's Ledges access point at mile 5.4 is around 1.6 miles down River Rd, the North Kent Bridge access point a further 1.0 miles. The marker on the attached Google map indicates this pull-off. 12/20/10 Updated 07/23/2018
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3-4
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anonymous
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See Parking safety comments for more information on alternate parking. 07/26/18
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David Cullen
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From the intersection of US 7 and CT Route 341, proceed west on the latter. Immediately after crossing the Housatonic River, go right (north) on Skiff Mt. Road. In about 1.5 miles, the paved road bears left. River Road, a gravel road, goes straight ahead. Continue uphill on Skiff Mt. Road for another 0.7 miles to the trail crossing. I have parked here, but there are not many place to pull off the road in the vicinity of the crossing. There is a photo of the trail crossing in the pictures for this section which shows the limited parking situation. GPS N41.7502 W 73.4716
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On the attached map, the marker indicates the trail crossing. 12/6/20
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Very limited roadside parking
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David Cullen
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The trail crossing of CT 341 is 0.9 miles east of the intersection with US 7 in Kent, CT. GPS at trail crossing: N41.73105 W 73.49065
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There is a small pull-off on the west (trail south) side of Route 341 at the trail crossing. The marker on the attached map indicates the crossing. Rotate the street view to see this area. The northbound trail (to Section 4) crosses a stile and enters a field. The southbound trail (to Section 5) goes into the woods on the other side of CT 341 and begins the ascent of Mt. Algo The parking area can also be seen. 06/01/17
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5-6
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David Cullen
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Trailhead Parking: 41.731362, -73.490975
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December 2023 Appalachian Trail Conservancy Update. This Parking lot remains open, but see comments to reflect temporary AT re-route that begins/ends here due to bridge over Macedonia Brook being out.
Update: In collaboration with a private landowner, the Appalachian Trail (A.T.) has been temporarily rerouted between CT Route 341 and Skiff Mountain Road. The reroute will stay in place until the Macedonia Brook Bridge can be replaced. The reroute mostly follows the original 1930s route of the A.T. along a steep incline past Numeral Rock. Hikers should pay attention between Route 341 and Skiff Mountain Road to be sure they follow the reroute and use caution when walking along Route 341.
Copy/Paste this link for most up to date info and a map view: https://appalachiantrail.org/trail-updates/connecticut-bridge-closure-macedonia-brook/
Editors Note: There may be pull off parking along the portion of the temporary reroute that follows Macedonia Road. Please respect all Parking Signs.
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WardandDA @ gmail.com
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