Length: About 1.7 mile, easy
Markings: Orange
Features: Hope Lake
Trailhead at John Dominick Drive (directions)
Trailhead at Shelton Avenue (directions)
Description: Dominick Trail was designed as a major north-south
artery that connects all the various trails at Shelton Lakes together.
Most of it is easy, although there is one small stretch that is steep enough to
cause problems for bikers (we have had one serious injury). The trail
begins at John Dominick Drive (off of Buddington Road) and ends at Shelton
Avenue.
Detailed Description -
Revised May 2006 to reflect re-route near Buddington Road area.
0.00 miles
Trailhead at end of John Dominick Drive. From
the end of the cul de sac, head into woods and turn immediately
right onto old woods road known as "Old Kings Highway" on the
Tax Accessor's maps. This may be a colonial road. Follow
orange trail markings.
0.09
Veer right at first split in road. (The left
branch, aka "Pagliaro Road" will be blazed white as the new 2006
Nell's Rock Trail extension. The white trail goes to the
powerlines and the Rec Path).
0.17
New routing:
Turn left following roadbed onto "Backtax Alley". Nell's
Rock Trail (white) goes straight (Dominick Trail originally went
straight here).
0.41
Junction with
Nell's Rock Trail, blazed white. The trails join
together for a short time.
0.43
"Four Corners" junction with Nells Rock Trail
and the Rec Path (blazed yellow). Follow the orange blazes
straight across. Pay attention to blazes carefully since
this area is being abused by a neighborhood child with an ATV.
0.62
"J Pond" bridge. A productive but tiny
vernal pool that is stream fed. A
good place to see amphibian eggs in the spring. Immediately
after the pond the trail goes steeply up a hill to the old
Ecklund property.
0.82
Pass through old Ecklund estate. The photo
shows what the house looked like before it burned down in the
1990's.
0.89
Cross Oak Valley Road. Trail on opposite
side is a bit to the right.
0.94
Junction with Oak Valley Trail
(blazed white) at the shore of Hope Lake (formerly Nell's Rock
Reservoir). Turn left. At this spot you can walk out
onto the "Point" unless the water level is too high. A
favorite spot to take a break.
1.02
Bridge at Hope Lake inlet. Turn right
immediately after the bridge. Follow the shoreline.
1.37
The dam.
1.46
Junction with the Rec Path,
blazed yellow. Turn left and follow orange and yellow blazes.
The Rec Path soon goes off to the left, while Dominick Trail
goes straight.
1.64
Junction with Oak Valley Trail, blazed white.
Go straight.
1.68
Powerline/gasline corridor. Turn right
towards Shelton Avenue (Rt 108).
