Have you ever felt the cool damp air of a hand-hewn tunnel? Steep Rock in Washington Connecticut boasts just such a wonder. This isn’t just any hill. Steep Rock is a 998-acre preserve a sprawling landscape of hiking trails and breathtaking views.
Steep Rock’s history is interwoven with the Shepaug Valley Railroad. A 235-foot curved tunnel a marvel of 19th-century engineering was blasted through Steep Rock Ridge. Pennsylvania coal miners using picks dynamite and nitroglycerin completed this incredible feat in a mere nine months. Imagine the skill and determination required. Today hikers appreciate the cool respite the tunnel offers on a warm summer day.
But Steep Rock is more than just a railroad tunnel. It’s a place of remarkable natural beauty. The summit at 776 feet offers panoramic views of the Shepaug River Valley. These 100 acres including the summit were gifted to the Steep Rock Association in 1925. They form the heart of the preserve. Four years later the Clamshell section was added preserving the stunning view from the summit. The view remains as majestic today as it was a century ago.
Another piece of Steep Rock’s history is Holiday House. Built around 1893 it was a vacation retreat for working-class women from Saint Bartholomew’s Church in New York City. Edward Van Ingen a wool importer commissioned the renowned architect Ehrick Rossiter. He designed this grand summer house as a memorial to his daughter. The house itself is gone now but its story lives on in Steep Rock’s narrative.
So explore Steep Rock. Hike its trails discover its secrets. Feel the cool air in the tunnel. Appreciate the panoramic view. Let the history and the beauty of Steep Rock captivate your senses. Let its legacy leave a lasting impression on you.