Stillman-Danaher Preserve

Consider visiting our Stillman-Danaher Preserve and hike the Nancy Danaher Trail.  This beautiful, heavily wooded landscape includes a broad high plateau, a valley with a double stream crossing, striking rock outcrops, stone walls and an old woods road.

At the trail kiosk, you may notice a “courtesy walking stick” made by LLT friend, Christopher Hawrer, with the names of some hikers who have gratefully used it.  

Feel free to use it too!
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​Starting in a hemlock grove, the trail crosses a small meadow before descending into the wetlands in the Spruce Brook valley. After crossing two footbridges, the trail passes a large boulder, stone walls and then levels out in a broad flat area of seasonal wetness and vernal pools. The forest is mature mixed hardwood-hemlock with numerous birch trees. Continue until reaching the summit and the landmark Pinnacle Rock. Travel northeast paralleling the ridgeline; look for occasional patches of young American chestnut and “witches brooms” on young birch.

The Nancy Danaher trail is east of Litchfield center on Clark Road. The trailhead is on the east side of Clark Road about 1.35 miles south of Route 202 or 0.6 miles north of Route 118. The trail consists of a stem and loop totaling about 2 miles in length.

The Stillman Danaher Preserve is 77 acres -  40 acres were donated by Rufus and Leslie Stillman in 1978 and an adjoining 37 acre parcel was donated by Thomas and Nancy Danaher in 1997.


Please enjoy our Stillman-Danaher Preserve Gallery below...
(Click photos for captions and to enlarge)