Cathedral Pines Preserve

Why You Should Visit
New England's largest stand of old-growth white pine and hemlock trees was devastated by three tornadoes in July 1989. The existing trail at Cathedral Pines traverses the remaining intact portion of the stand.

Location
Cornwall

Hours
Dawn to dusk

Size
42 acres

Conditions
A short trail begins at the parking area.

How to Prepare for Your Visit
Please see our “Preserve Visitation Guideline” page.

Directions
From Eastern Connecticut:

• Take Interstate 84 to Route 8 north in Waterbury. Proceed north to Route 4, in Torrington. 
• Go west on Route 4 to the junction of Route 125 in Cornwall. 
• At the junction go left on Pine Street. 
• At the "T" intersection (0.3 mile), turn left on Valley Road. 
• After the immediate sharp right bend in the road, take the next left onto Essex Hill Road, continue for 0.2 miles. 
• On the left is a large boulder and a small parking lot. The trail leaves from the lot.

From Southwestern Connecticut:

• Take Route 7 north to Route 4 in Cornwall Bridge. 
• Turn east on Route 4, go 3.3 miles to Route 125, turn right, and proceed as above.

What to See: Plants
White pine and hemlock trees

What to See: Animals
Keep an eye and ear out for woodpeckers among the fallen trees.

Why the Conservancy Selected This Site  
The preserve was donated to the Conservancy in 1967 by three members of the Calhoun family: Jean C. Bacon, and John and Frank Calhoun. The family originally bought the property in 1883 to prevent its being logged.

What the Conservancy Has Done/Is Doing
Ecologists seek out this site to better understand the dynamics of forest succession—the slow process of a forest's regrowth and rejuvenation.