West Rock Ridge State Park
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
West Rock Ridge State Park is a state park located in New Haven, Hamden, and Woodbridge, Connecticut. It is named for the 400-700 foot high traprock West Rock Ridge, which is part of the Metacomet Ridge extending from Long Island Sound to the Vermont border. The ridge consists largely of reddish and blackish diabase basalt, much like its sister formation East Rock. The ridge runs north-northwest out of New Haven and forms the boundary between the towns of Woodbridge and Hamden. The ridge is bordered by Konalds Pond, Lake Dawson, and Lake Watrous on its western flank and by Lake Wintergreen on its eastern flank and is about 6 miles long from end to end. The park contains trails and extensive forests and there are about 7 miles of cliffs running along its western flank.
In the 17th century, West Rock served as the hideout for Edward Whalley and his son-in-law, Gen. William Goffe, two of the three "regicide judges" whom New Haven honors by streets bearing their surnames. They had fled England, anticipating prosecution under King Charles II in the execution of his father Charles I, to New Haven; the rock shelter hideout ostensibly used by the two is preserved at the Judges' Cave.
The West Rock Tunnel (designated since 2003 as the Heroes Tunnel),[1] was bored through West Rock in order to make passage for the Wilbur Cross Parkway.
[edit] Recreation
West Rock Ridge State Park has many trails open to both hikers and mountain bikers. Lake Wintergreen offers fishing along its banks and recreational kayaking. The park is also a popular rock climbing destination for local mountaineers. An auto road to the summit is open to vehicles in season.
[edit] External links
- DEP Trails Map for West Rock Park
- West Rock Ridge Rock Climbing (from Connecticut Explorer's Guide)
- West Rock Ridge State Park is at coordinates Coordinates:
 |
This Connecticut state location article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
