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DebW
09-23-2002, 15:16
I think that the Limestone Spring Lean-to was my favorite on our June section hike
of Connecticut this year. It's 0.5 miles off the trail, all downhill, some steeply.
But it's a great place, and if you bother to hike the 0.5 miles, chances are you'll
have it to yourself. Shelter is the standard Connecticut design (bear bar
in front, sleeps 6-8). Privy to left of shelter (uphill). Water supply is a gushing spring
coming out of the hillside. Plenty of tenting space around. We experienced a hailstorm
on the tin roof of the shelter. Were also entertained by a baby phoebe in a nest under the rafters.

jigsaw
10-21-2002, 17:24
limestone shelter is a great place. a little tough on the way out in the morning all uphill but it has the best water source ive seen yet.

hawkeye
04-29-2003, 18:52
just got back from 4 days on the CT AT. The shelter was great...the hike in was not marked well in some spots.

poison_ivy
05-01-2003, 13:44
Just back from five days on the AT (Hawkeye-- was that you I met at the Iron bridge on Saturday?) Limestone Spring is a great shelter -- though its tough to find. When you cross the second log bridge, it's there to the right and uphill. The blazes continue on to a street -- another hiker I met over the weekend missed it and kept going.

Bird nest is still there in the rafters too. You can hear the coyotes howling at night -- fun spot. Though I agree, the climb back up in the morning is a tough way to start the day!

-- Ivy

hawkeye
05-01-2003, 21:54
Hey, that was me on the bridge Saturday! How did the rest of your hike go?

poison_ivy
05-02-2003, 08:16
I thought it was you, based on your register entry at Limestone Spring and then your post here. I always forget to ask people what their trailnames are when I meet them.

My hike went great -- CT is such a pretty area. It was my first time backpacking solo for five days and I'm already hungry for more.

-- Ivy

:banana

Papa Bear
05-02-2003, 08:38
I remember Limestone Spring Lean-to well.

When we got to the cliff on the side trail, we thought we had lost the trail. "It can't go down there, can it?". Here's a shot (http://gallery.backcountry.net/albums/papabear_section_2/abh.sized.jpg) of that slope. The picture doesn't do it justice - it's much steeper than this picture shows.

Here's the Lean-to (http://gallery.backcountry.net/albums/papabear_section_2/abi.sized.jpg). Fairly nice. We were there last May before the crowds.

We had a resident phoebe, nesting in the eaves, something we had seen in several shelters in this area. I just hope she got her brood hatched and out before tha crowd of hikers that would follow. It was a strange thing that they would nest in these places. I guess they have all day to themselves and then late at night as well. It's dinner and breakfast that the poor bird is frightened off.

Have fun,
Pb

jbwood5
05-23-2004, 21:27
I stayed there on 5/16/04 and agree that it is a pretty nice place, especially if you are looking for solitude and want to avoid hearing cars and trains. It is more like .6 to .7 miles off the main trail, so be patient. When the blue blazes seem to disappear at about .4 miles, you just go straight down the mountain and you will find more blazes that lead you to within eye sight of the shelter. I do not recommend coming in near dark (like I did). I had a tough time finding it at near darkness. The good thing about this place is that it gets far less use then most shelters so it is less likely to be crowded or trashed by the weekenders. In fact, the register has dates from over two years ago and it was only 3/4s full. That tells me that many folks don't stop there.

The Eleven
01-26-2005, 11:41
I agree, very quiet spot for meditating.....was there on a solo back in late 90's. Tented it....nicest spots. Yes, side trail is tricky, kept checking my directions. Will mention it to AMC CT chapter about re-flagging the blue tags. Woke up in middle of night...apparantly a coyote was hunting resident owl right outside my tent. BIG BARN OWL. Freshest spring water between NY and MASS on the AT, for sure. Loved the place. Good climb out to wake up the muscles and get the blood flowing....oatmeal helps with the energy. Happy Trails! Little Bear 2 in CT. 500 miles complete.

Deb
04-14-2005, 16:18
I stayed here the night of 4/13/05. I parked at the hydro plant and cleared branches from the trail as I went along. The trail is very dry and in great shape.
The shelter is in a beautiful location, very spacious, and the piped spring has delicious water. People had signed the register sporadically since January. One note said the old AT was the current blue-blazed trail, which continues along the stream and meets a very disused road in 1/4 mile. At one point on this stretch the stream disappears into the rock and reappears further down - cool.
The trail runners seem to take a special interest in keeping the place up.
Heard owls calling at 4 pm. Odd time for owls.
It made me think - the trail down South is bustling, but up north there is much solitude to be found, especially if you can hike during the week.

LIhikers
05-02-2005, 19:43
The wife and I stayed there the night of 4/27/05, Wed. night. We got to the blue blaze that leads down to the shelter after dark and lost the blazes a couple of times. Then we got to the steep section, yikes. Sure glad we had our headlamps with us!

It's a great location and the shelter is in good condition. Water was plentiful when we were there. And as others have said, the hike up and out was a heck of a way to start the day.

rafe
06-29-2005, 16:05
It's a good 0.5 mile (like the sign says) and a good 300 feet or so of vertical below the trail... But aside from that -- great site, especially for camping. Best (piped) spring I've ever seen on the AT.

gsingjane
08-18-2005, 20:06
We spent the night here on 8/15/05 (alone, like everyone else seems to) and enjoyed listening to the owls hooting all night long (after my son realized that they weren't ghosts!). But we did hear that two nights before us, there were a bunch of college co-eds playing midnight volleyball by headlamp down in the campsites! Glad we missed that!

Jane in CT

Askus3
03-30-2007, 01:06
I just was over at the VFTT board and there was this post - anybody have any comments along these lines?

I have yet to see a bear in the wild and this area has the most activity on the AT in CT. It is 1/2 mile off the trail and so is often skipped. There is a cascading stream and spring there. You pass the odd stone obelisk called "Giant's Thumb" on the way in or out. Oh, and it's supposed to be haunted; __________________________________________________ ___________________________________

Quote:
Originally Posted by Willow '97
06/15/05User Rating:
"My hiking partner Bones and I spent a terrifying night here on our AT hike. We are seasoned hikers and swear this place is haunted. If you are fine with strange lights, voices, and things that go bump in the night, by all means stay here. I would rather hike the extra 8 miles to Riga than end up at this shelter again. Yikes!!!!"
__________________________________________________ ___________________________

So I'm doing a longer backpack in on friday and shorter hike out on saturday (or visa versa if required by schedules) if you're interested. But I'll be at Limestone Spring friday night saying my prayers, regardless.
__________________

rafe
03-30-2007, 01:12
I shared the place with a scout troop. That musta kept the ghosts away. ;)

Undershaft
08-05-2007, 15:59
No ghosts a few weeks ago, but who's idea was it to put the shelter in a dark, damp, skeeter filled ravine 400 feet below and .6 miles off the AT? If I hike CT again I will skip this shelter. The giants thumb was neat though. About 1/2 mile north of the shelter access trail.

firemountain
12-02-2007, 14:45
Stayed at the shelter a couple weeks ago. Trail could use some re-blazing but I found the place. On the way down after the steepest section the trail takes a right and straight ahead is a car sized depression in the ground. I examined it and appears to be a cave entrance... does anybody have a comment on this? Should have taken a picture but I did not.

Red Hat
12-31-2008, 13:32
spammer, thanks for removing him

DBCFlash
03-20-2011, 19:38
Was there two nights ago. Water was absolutely gushing from the spring and the pipe was about a foot underwater. Cleanest nicest water I've ever seen. Tough hike down and tougher hike back up, but worth every step.

sarnick148
11-10-2012, 14:24
Does anybody know to whom this lean-to is dedicated to? I think there is a plaque in the shelter. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance

Denniswatson
11-25-2012, 03:19
I think that the Limestone Spring Lean-to was my favorite on our June section hike
of Connecticut this year. It's 0.5 miles off the trail, all downhill, some steeply.
But it's a great place, and if you bother to hike the 0.5 miles, chances are you'll
have it to yourself. Shelter is the standard Connecticut design (bear bar
in front, sleeps 6-8). Privy to left of shelter (uphill). Water supply is a gushing spring
coming out of the hillside. Plenty of tenting space around. We experienced a hailstorm
on the tin roof of the shelter. Were also entertained by a baby phoebe in a nest under the rafters.

It is a great place to visit and spend some quality time

Off Belay
10-04-2014, 11:49
Hi all,

I'm planning a fall section hike; unfortunately due to time constraints we will be hitting this shelter after dark. Does anyone know if it has been re marked or are the blazes still questionable?

Traveler
10-04-2014, 12:54
Hi all,

I'm planning a fall section hike; unfortunately due to time constraints we will be hitting this shelter after dark. Does anyone know if it has been re marked or are the blazes still questionable?

Earlier this season the blazes were good from the AT to the "drop", once you reach the cliff portion of the trail, its pretty evident (even in the dark) where it goes, but blazes may be sparse with the fallen leaves about. The shelter is at the bottom of that rock structure.

Off Belay
10-04-2014, 13:03
Earlier this season the blazes were good from the AT to the "drop", once you reach the cliff portion of the trail, its pretty evident (even in the dark) where it goes, but blazes may be sparse with the fallen leaves about. The shelter is at the bottom of that rock structure.


Thanks! Great info.

gsingjane
10-04-2014, 18:09
Be super-careful going down the dropoff, especially on the fallen leaves and if there's been any rain. Also, the shelter isn't "right" after the dropoff, you have to hike a couple hundred yards more to find it.

Jane

Traveler
10-05-2014, 10:34
Worst footing on the trail, second only to ice without traction on your feet, layers of wet leaves over acorns.....

linus72
10-08-2014, 10:40
Was just there last weekend. We were treated to songs and flyby of a Barred Owl and Coyotes in the distance. The spring was running enough but the Wetauwanchu 'cascade' along the access trail was completely dry. With the rain overnight, the climb back out was a bit sketchier, but manageable if taking ones time. And, worst case the blue trail continues down to sugar hill road if truly bad weather makes the climb back out just plain dangerous. Enjoyed our stay there, and reading the registry entries. Worth the trip in and out I think.

pnyberg
03-22-2015, 17:09
who's idea was it to put the shelter in a dark, damp, skeeter filled ravine 400 feet below and .6 miles off the AT? If I hike CT again I will skip this shelter.

The trail that is now the blue-blazed side trail to the shelter (and 0.7 miles on to Sugar Hill Rd) used to be the AT. There was more road walking when traveling NOBO from Falls Village back in the day. Yes, I'm old enough to remember that, although the memory is somewhat vague.

--Peter

pnyberg
05-25-2015, 11:16
I stayed here the night of May 7/8, the last night of a NOBO section hike from Kent. Everything seemed in good repair. I had no problem following the blue-blazed trail down from the AT. The shelter has a bear box and 3 tent platforms (the first I'd seen of either on this trip). One of the platforms is set between two trees perfectly spaced to hang a hammock and tarp. I don't know if the AMC did this on purpose, but it was appreciated.

I filmed a video of the area:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVstokEaQnk

--Peter

Just Tom
06-07-2015, 18:00
Just finished an overnight with the scouts and when coming down to the parking area on Rte 7 just North of Belters, and there was a posting that Limestone Spring shelter and campsite was closed until further notice?! I stayed there a month ago and everything was fine. Anyone know what is up?

liptackj
06-07-2015, 20:00
NOTICE! Limestone Springs shelter and camping area have been closed since June 4th due to hazard trees in both areas. With the death earlier this year at the Ed Garvey shelter due to a falling tree, the CT-AMC has been conducting a series of inspections at all of our camping and lean-to sites. With nine trees identified as hazards, the situation at Limestone was declared by the ATC/NPS/AMC as requiring immediate closure and the hiring of a professional arborist to make the area safe for visitors. A notice of the re-opening of the site will be posted here on Whiteblaze.net as well as other outlets.
Jim Liptack
CT-AMC Overseer of Trails

Namaste
06-08-2015, 14:03
I just finished my CT section hike and actually spent the night at Limestone on June 3rd. We tented on a platform close to the brook and didn't hear of any problems. The ridgerunner at Sages Ravine where we spent the previous night didn't mention anything either. We did have a raccoon visit as well as a bear huffing close to our tent.

Just Tom
06-26-2015, 14:19
NOTICE! Limestone Springs shelter and camping area have been closed since June 4th due to hazard trees in both areas. With the death earlier this year at the Ed Garvey shelter due to a falling tree, the CT-AMC has been conducting a series of inspections at all of our camping and lean-to sites. With nine trees identified as hazards, the situation at Limestone was declared by the ATC/NPS/AMC as requiring immediate closure and the hiring of a professional arborist to make the area safe for visitors. A notice of the re-opening of the site will be posted here on Whiteblaze.net as well as other outlets.
Jim Liptack
CT-AMC Overseer of Trails

Just wondering if there was a rough ETA on this? Not looking for anything exact, but for planning purposes an estimate of what month (July, August, September, etc) it might re-open would be super helpful!

Traveler
06-27-2015, 05:34
NOTICE! Limestone Springs shelter and camping area have been closed since June 4th due to hazard trees in both areas. With the death earlier this year at the Ed Garvey shelter due to a falling tree, the CT-AMC has been conducting a series of inspections at all of our camping and lean-to sites. With nine trees identified as hazards, the situation at Limestone was declared by the ATC/NPS/AMC as requiring immediate closure and the hiring of a professional arborist to make the area safe for visitors. A notice of the re-opening of the site will be posted here on Whiteblaze.net as well as other outlets.
Jim Liptack
CT-AMC Overseer of Trails

ATC lists the Limesprings shelter as temporarily closed, scheduled to be reopened on or about July 8th.

Just Tom
06-27-2015, 08:38
Thanks for that!

nuknees
06-27-2015, 10:29
No ghosts a few weeks ago, but who's idea was it to put the shelter in a dark, damp, skeeter filled ravine 400 feet below and .6 miles off the AT? If I hike CT again I will skip this shelter. The giants thumb was neat though. About 1/2 mile north of the shelter access trail.

I agree. When your heading for a shelter at the end of a day, especially if it's been a long day for you, you certainly don't feel like scaling down the side of mountain. I know I didn't! Once I got the steeps I looked down and said you've got to be kidding me! I looked across the ravine and couldn't see a shelter in eyesight and said forget this...I stealthed it off trail...I was just too beat!
I also didn't care for the no campfire rule in CT. Not being able to have a camp fire just doesn't make a hike complete to me...call me old school.

Sarcasm the elf
06-27-2015, 13:02
I agree. When your heading for a shelter at the end of a day, especially if it's been a long day for you, you certainly don't feel like scaling down the side of mountain. I know I didn't! Once I got the steeps I looked down and said you've got to be kidding me! I looked across the ravine and couldn't see a shelter in eyesight and said forget this...I stealthed it off trail...I was just too beat!
I also didn't care for the no campfire rule in CT. Not being able to have a camp fire just doesn't make a hike complete to me...call me old school.

The shelter is there because that's where they got permission to put it. CT is mostly private land and they did the best they could. I don't think anyone is really happy that they haven't been able to put in a better option.

The more I've learned about the Connecticut section of the A.T., the more I have begun to support the fireban. The ridge that the A.T. Follows in Northern Connecticut is very prone to forest fires and slowburning duff fires in particular, which are tricky to fight. The fireban is in place because the towns got sick of paying to fight the repeated forest fires in the area, many of which were started by campers (both A.T. and non-A.T. Campers). Despite the ban there have still been several forest fires on the ridge that the trail follows in northern CT in recent years which were caused by unattended campfires.

pnyberg
06-27-2015, 17:43
The shelter is there because that's where they got permission to put it.

As I've mentioned before, at the time the location for the shelter was chosen, that blue blazed side trail was the AT. The trail was relocated to reduce the amount of road-walk in the Falls Village area. So, a shelter that used to be 100 feet from the AT is now half a mile from the AT. But it's not the shelter that moved. Personally, I much prefer a shelter half a mile off the trail with a reliable year-round water source to a shelter right on the trail with a seasonal water source.

--Peter

liptackj
08-03-2015, 20:13
Limestone Spring Shelter has been reopened for all users. The hazard trees, including the 100+ft ash behind the shelter, have been removed.
Jim Liptack
CT-AMC Overseer of Trails

Just Tom
08-03-2015, 20:53
Thank you for the update, it is appreciated.