Zoar Trail (Newtown, CT)

[Alex McDaniel]

Hi all,
This morning, September 6th, 2015 I made a first visit to Paugussett State forest in Newtown on the Housatonic River / Lake Zoar. I wanted to take a fast run at the 6.5 mile Zoar Blue Blaze trail as it fit my training schedule.

I ran it counter clockwise from the parking lot at the end of Great Quarter road.

1.8 just with blue/yellow in 18 min
I reached 2.5 where it turns steeply and sharply (320 degree left hand turn) in 24 minutes 
3.3 at the upper junction of the blue/yellow in 34 min

I misread a turn after 43 min and lost 1-2 min
At 4.5 miles it was 52min
i crossed the last service road at 1:11:00
i finished in 1:13:48

perfect conditions. If I knew the course better and measured the effort a little more even, 1:10 would be a solid Mark. The right person could crack an hour, but it would hurt

alex  

[simonedgett]

good morning,

I just ran Zoar Trail clockwise for an fkt attempt. I completed the loop on the blue-blazed trail in 1:11:55 with a mileage reading of 6.51. This time includes an extra 4:24 and .25 miles between mile 2.42 and 2.67 by getting lost and repeating a short hill section. I crossed Prydden Brook 38:48 and mile 3.27 and crossed the second time at 55:20 and mile 4.84. Total elevation gain of 1335 ft.

Strava data is linked here: www.strava.com/activities/943062700

Alex, I see that you completed the loop anti-clockwise. I might come back for another go and run it the other way. The main climb going anti-clockwise seems to be steeper, but many of the downhills seem more runnable. Will post again after another attempt.

best,

Simon

[neil]

Lowered the FKT to 56:27 this morning, August 6. Completed the loop counter-clockwise. It's a perfect test for a short, all-out effort. Tight and twisty singletrack, nice hemlock forest, river-side trail for a couple of miles, nice bridges for the brook crossings, a nice stone staircase climb (if run counterclockwise) right in the middle, and just technical enough to keep you attentive. Good swimming in the Housatonic (or Lake Zoar, whatever you call it) afterwards. 

www.strava.com/activities/1120307524

Thank you Simon and Alex for posting and letting others find out about this nearby gem.

Pretty sure a speedster could still lower the time. 

-Neil Clauson

[Alex McDaniel]

Great runs Simon and Neil! There's always someone faster there are some under appreciated gems out here in CT, especially in the 1-3 hour range. Find me on Facebook if you ever want to talk shop. I'm in New Haven

Alex