Finding Hidden Treasures at the Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area

In an earlier post, I described my good fortune growing up directly next to TWO wildlife management areas: the Belding Wildlife Management Area and the Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area. Since our unmarked neighborhood trailhead provided access to both locations, Rhonda & I decided to explore the northern section of the Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area on a morning hike.

There were some interesting areas and some hidden treasures along the way!

As with our Belding Wildlife Management Area hike, we descended down the trailhead, but this time, we took a left branch along the blue-blazed trail (part of the Shenipsit trail system) into the Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area.

Treasure #1 – Old-timey Trout Fishing Camp

Following the path several hundred yards there was an unmarked side trail that took us to the remnants of one of three trout fishing camp houses in the Tankerhoosen River area.

I remember when I was a kid (40 years ago) the wooden structure was still intact, although in disrepair from decades of neglect and the occasional teenage party squatters. Inside used to be a wooden platform for a mattress, a fish preparation area/kitchen (primitive), and a wooden table and chairs to sit on.

Nothing but a foundation and chimney now.

We moved onward along the trail and it sloped upward north and crossed Baker Road.

Northward on the Shenipsit Trail

The trail continued into the woods northward, edging closer to Interstate 84. The road noise from the highway dominated the soundscape, which was a shame. Reports suggest that this recently added section of the Shenipsit trail will be relocated away from the highway someday to deal with that problem, which is probably a good thing. I do hope the current trail remains in some form though, as it does take you to some very cool areas!

We continued, noticing through the trees in the distance, that there seemed to be a large open area that I did not recognize from my childhood. For the life of me, I could not explain how an open area of this size could exist without my noticing it after decades of living in this region.

Noticing an unmarked trail that went in the direction of the break in the forest, Rhonda and I decided to explore that area on the return leg of our hike if we had the chance.

Onward To Walker’s Reservoir

We continued onward and eventually reached the western portion of Walker’s Reservoir, a gorgeous lily-covered pond with abundant wildlife.

We continued along the Shenipsit trail until we reached the eastern portion of Walker’s Reservoir, which acts as a local park for the town of Vernon, Connecticut. It has an interesting origin story.

There is a short trail around the eastern portion of Walker’s Reservoir, but we decided to head back the way we came to explore other areas of the Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area.

Treasure #2 – Hidden Meadow Habitat Restoration

Heading back along the western portion of Walker’s Reservoir we noticed an unmarked trail that continued along the southern shore.

The trail continued and merged with an old access road, that led to a clearing that looked similar to what we observed earlier in our hike. We walked toward the clearing hoping that we weren’t trespassing.

Thankfully Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area signs were present when the woods started to open up. We decided to follow the trail and were surprised by what we saw.

A gorgeous wildflower meadow with a trail that continued deep into its interior. We decided to follow it since it was continuing southward in the direction we wanted to hike.

Beautiful. This would be a great place to camp and stargaze if camping were allowed.

There is no description of this meadow anywhere on any map, or the internet, except cryptically on the Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area website. Apparently, this area was a gravel pit that was cleared when Interstate 84 was being built back in the day. It has been replanted in recent years and is now being used as a habitat restoration and wildlife reclamation site.

Fantastic! I love projects like this.

We followed the meadow trail to the other side, probably close to half a mile in length. The trail continued into the woods and connected back up to the blue-blazed Shenipsit trail where we first noticed the meadow.

How convenient.

We walked back to the neighborhood trailhead refreshed and happy. The trail was a pretty easy hike and was about a 4-mile loop in total. Highly recommended.

Treasure #3 – The Love Shack (baby!)

[SEPTEMPER 2023 UPDATE – When we revisited this site in September 2023, the Love Shack was gone! Crumbled vestiges of its foundation and fireplace remain, but the rest of it is completely gone, as was the footbridge spanning the stream to the property. There is evidence of a fire in the forest surrounding the property, so we aren’t sure if it was idiot teenagers setting the structure ablaze or if the State removed the structure (and bridge) due to liability/safety concerns. Regardless, our photos in this post are likely the last ones that show the Love Shack “intact”. Sad because another childhood memory is gone, but it was inevitable that this would happen.]

After we reported to my parents about our hike, they reminded us about another fishing cabin deep in the woods near Reservoir Road. I had vague memories of the cabin from many years ago, but I remembered exactly where the unmarked trail was once it was put on my radar.

We found the trail easily and followed it upstream along the Tankerhoosen River…

To a small clearing, where the remains of the cabin are still found.

It is nestled beautifully among the river, waterfalls, and surrounding granite boulders. As you can see from the pictures, local miscreants have left their mark on the place.

At least the graffiti is tasteful, compared to some I have seen. The heart on the chimney and the overall hippie vibe make me think of the Love Shack from The B-52s for some reason.

The area next to it is gorgeous, and it was apparent that rocks were strategically placed long ago to turn the base of the waterfall into a bathing pool.

We may have to come back with our bathing suits. Now that this is public land, we can do so without feeling any guilt!

The Tankerhoosen Wildlife Management Area has so much to offer, and most people wouldn’t know that many of these hidden treasures even existed.

Like I said, I was lucky to grow up in these parts.

Thanks for reading!

Leave a comment below and subscribe to get email notifications whenever we post!

Follow Two Travel Turtles on Facebook and Twitter!

Please leave this field empty

Subscribe and never miss a post!

We don’t spam! Read our privacy policy for more info.

Thanks for subscribing to Two Travel Turtles! Check your inbox or spam folder to confirm your subscription.