Blue Trail
(future Paugussett Trail)
at Shelton Lakes

Length: About 2.7 mile, easy to moderate
Markings:  BLUE (previously 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.  This trail will become part of the extended Paugussett "Blue Dot" Trail that will link Shelton Lakes with Indian Well State Park. 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. New sections at the north end are still a little rough as of 2010.

Detailed Description
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 the blue (previously 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	Turn left following roadbed.  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 blue (previously 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 Eklund Native Species Garden and site of old cabin.  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 blue (previously 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).
1.73	Trail ends at Shelton Avenue, Rt. 108.
	Just kidding, the trail keeps going. Cross the road and follow the powerlines, crossing Wellington Court, Independence Drive (the trails jogs to the left at the crossing), and Const. Blvd N.  When the utility road ends at a meadow, follow the left edge of the meadow, then into the woods. The trail ends before coming out onto another meadow. No mileage has been obtained for the new section, but it's about one mile.