Turtle Creek Nature Sanctuary
Address:
Watrous Point Road
06475 Old Saybrook, Middlesex
Description:
There are a handful of locals who visit this easy walking trail on a daily basis and are happy to assist you should you get lost (though it is relatively easy navigation.) The mile or so of trials winding through the 93 acre nature preserve meanders through standing hemlock, pines and laurels with several access points to the Connecticut River. Bird watching is plentiful with the Pileated Woodpecker, Bald Eagle, Osprey, Red Tail Hawk and Heron among them. Other wildlife include deer, coyote, raccoons, and fox. Dogs are as plentiful as the people here and are welcome off-leash. However, if you have a small dog keep a close eye on him to avoid the rare coyote encounter. The gem here is known by the locals as Secret Beach. After parking, follow the main trail straight in front of you. Shortly you will cross a dirt road. Continue on this trail down a small hill. Soon you will see the Connecticut River and access to it. This is a nice stopping point but is not Secret Beach. Continue as the path loops back around and once again you will cross the dirt road but at a different section. Very soon after this second road crossing is a trail on your left.This will lead you down to the Secret Beach. If you stay right at the fork on this trail you will go down a gentle embankment, stay left and you will encounter a steeply graded and often slippery path. This is a loop so either choice will bring you to a make-shift plank 'bridge' through the rushes and out onto Secret Beach. When you are ready to leave, take either trail back out to the main trail and go left. The next left off the main trial is a semi-circle loop that will bring you back on the main trail. There is another somewhat difficult trail to see on the left which will bring you to Deutsch's Pond where turtles can be seen basking among the pond lilies. If you find this trail head it will serpentine by a tiny creek (or muddy riverbed if it has been a dry season.) Shortly you come to a point similar to a rotary offering 3 choices. Take either of the leftmost/straight paths. The right-most trail will bring you back to the parking area. Either of the straight/left choices will bring you to the pond and back around to this 'rotary' point. If you arrive at a paved road and want to get to your car go right. Any time of year is a good time to visit here. This local particulary enjoys it after a good snowfall making fresh tracks with a pair of snowshoes.
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