Mountain Spring Nature Trail

The Mountain Spring Nature Trail threads its way from Mountain Spring Road to the top of Talcott Ridge and back down again. Along the way, it passes through or near the contiguous Carey, Barney, Rauch, Lidgerwood, Yellin, Moore and Anderson Ridge parcels. Enhancements include creating an additional switchback to provide easier access to the ridge, and the placement of a blind for birdwatching on the southeast corner of the property. The blind was designed and built by Farmington resident Chris Moreno, who earned his rank of Eagle Scout through completion of the project.

The Carey and Barney Pastures total 8.9 acres, and include a sloping wet meadow with huge pasture trees and excellent wildlife habitat. They front Mountain Spring Road on the east, across from the Barney House and Boulder Brook Lot. They were donated by Ann Carey [1996]; Hattie Lidgerwood and Katherine Garfield [1983]; and by the William Lidgerwood, Richard Noyes and William Haviland families [1980]. The parcels recall the centuries-long agricultural history of the neighborhood and the estates of its well-to-do landowners.

The big barns and sheds are gone now, and the only structures 
recalling this history are a garage building and a large ancient root 
cellar dug into the hillside. On the Carey lot is the spring for which 
Mountain Spring Road is named. Unfortunately, encroachment from 
neighboring development has damaged the wetland, threatened the 
spring with siltation, and cut away portions of the protective tree canopy. These common problems are also part of Farmington’s history – though of a sad recent chapter. The Land Trust is working to mitigate the ecosystem damage, and will maintain the historic character of the meadow with twice-yearly mowing and control of invasive plant species.

​The annual maintenance of the pasture and trails is funded by a generous contribution from ProHealth Physicians through the Land Trust's Adopt a Parcel program.

The trail head is located at the second driveway on the right after turning on to Mountain Spring Road from Farmington Avenue. Parking is available at the Land Trust's Carriage House near 10 Mountain Spring Road.