Take a hike: Tunxis Trail to the Indian Council Caves

BARKHAMSTED — The Indian Council Caves are a destination veiled in mystery and uncertain legend. Native-American artifacts have been discovered around the caves in the past, but it is unknown if the caves were indeed used as a council site for local tribes. The caves are one of many landmarks along the Tunxis Trail and the section of trail leading to them can be isolated from the rest of the Tunxis Trail for an incredible hike. The trail offers a rewarding physical challenge and can be accomplished in just part of a day.

The beginning of the path can be found along Route 219 in Barkhamsted, just past the reservoir. There is limited parking on the side of the road, just near the blue marker sign indicating the trail’s start. After crossing 219 and hopping the cable guard rail, you will see the first markings and the trail will become very clear. Once you reach an incline leading to a number of small ledges, the sound of traffic from the nearby road begins to vanish, replaced with the song of the occasional bird nested somewhere high in the tree line.

There are a number of scenic landmarks to be observed along the trail, the first of which is an ancient and immense white oak that sits beside the path early in the hike. A strong presence of wild wintergreen skirts the edges of the trail along the way and when examined closely, offers a familiar and enjoyable scent.

There is a spot where a few cardinal flowers grow, a plant fairly rare for this area and remarkably beautiful. The wet summer has sprouted incredible growths of fungus, littering the trail throughout with numerous varieties of mushroom, lichen and moss. The trail has a few seasonal brook crossings and the path will eventually lead you to Kettle Brook.

Past Kettle Brook you will reach a dirt extension road and the trail carries you through a vast white pine forest. This is one of the most impressive scenic spots of the hike, where the trees can be heard groaning as they sway above the pine needle covering below.

Once you reach the sign that points the way to the top of the caves and to the way to the bottom, it is recommended that you endure another uphill walk, as the caves seen from the top completes your sense of accomplishment in a way that stumbling across them near the bottom cannot.

A few minor climbs downward will lead you to the face of the formations as well as the caves. The trail markings do become somewhat scattered here; a very clear sign, however, is painted on the side of one of the boulders at the bottom of the rock formation pointing to the most dramatic caves. Be sure to plan time to explore this area, as the caves, smaller indentations, and colossal boulder formations demand to be observed carefully.

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If you  head just a bit further on the path below the caves you will end up on a long road with two very old stone walls on either side. It is worth exploring this road a bit, not just for the walls and nearby duck pond, but the remains of an old stone cellar, the last landmark of what must have been a very remote home. If you continued along that path, it would lead you toward Pine Mountain, the next destination along the Tunxis Trail.

The trail is a combination of physical venture, natural splendor, and historic significance. The winding path can become very narrow at times, often wide enough for only one person, and keeps you in constant contact with your woodland surroundings. It directs you ever upward and onward for 2.2 miles, to that eventual and final goal, the caves.

The trail is well marked with blue swatches of paint that appear on nearby trees. There are only a few spots where there is a moment of ambiguity as to where your next step should be, and those locations tend to be heavily marked to avoid any serious confusion. There is one particular spot, early in the hike, where the trail takes an unannounced U- turn. It may confuse travelers for a moment, but like the rest of the trail, is clearly marked and becomes easy to navigate once you realize you have reached it.

Even though the trail is only of moderate difficulty and well marked, it is important to come prepared. If you pay close mind to the trail markings there should be little room for error, but as you begin to lose yourself in the surroundings, there is a chance you may slip past a marking unnoticed. If you bring a lunch along, there are plenty of scenic rest stops once you reach the caves to relax and enjoy a pleasant meal and the incredible view below. Be sure to bring a bag to carry any garbage back with you, to preserve the cleanliness of the trail.

The path does offer a fair challenge, but is still a great trail for beginner hikers, serious trailblazers, and those who just want to spend a day tromping through gorgeous woodland to explore a local historical oddity. The trail is well maintained by volunteers from The Connecticut Forest and Park Association, and is open to the public year round. The trail is meant for foot traffic only and bicycles and ATVs are restricted.

The Connecticut Forest and Park Association has a very informative Web site that includes trail safety tips and an important list of essentials for first-time hikers, as well as “Connecticut Walk†books available for purchase. The Connecticut Forest and Park Association can be found at ctwoodlands.org/ and can be reached by phone at 860-346-2372.