Getting the Idea
Alright so I kept seeing Burning Tree CT pop up on hiking forums. People talked about this secret fire lookout spot near the old logging trails but nobody dropped clear directions. Typical internet vagueness, right? Figured I’d stop guessing and just go find it myself. Grabbed my boots, a crappy printed map from some forum post, and half a sandwich.
The Wild Goose Chase
Took Highway 9 past the river bend like most threads mentioned. But then things got messy – took three wrong turns because the “big red barn” everybody referenced got torn down last year. Ended up on some farmer’s private property near Pine Creek. Dude came out waving a rake yelling about trespassers. Awkward. Apologized like crazy and backtracked.
Finally found the real starting point by accident: abandoned ranger station at mile marker 77 with collapsed green roof. Forgot to check if my car had enough gas though. Had to hike back to that sketchy gas station near the highway exit when I ran empty. Total waste of an hour.
Breaking Through the Brush
From the ranger station:
- Followed deer trails uphill past this weird rock shaped like a loaf of bread
- Got swarmed by mosquitos in the swampy patch – should’ve packed bug spray
- Found ribbons tied on branches (other hikers’ markers)
Nearly gave up when the trail disappeared near the burnt pine area. Sat on a log eating my squashed sandwich when I spotted rusty cable wires poking through ferns. Followed those sideways through thorns – got scraped up bad but found the place.
Burning Tree CT Finally
Turns out “Burning Tree” isn’t some fancy landmark. Just a giant lightning-struck cedar with black bark still standing beside the old fire tower foundation. Place is trashed though – beer cans everywhere and somebody spray-painted the rocks. Still cool views to the valley if you climb the rubble pile.
How to actually get there without my screw ups:
- Drive exactly 6.2 miles past highway mile marker 72
- Look for gravel pullout near broken “NO HUNTING” sign (not the barn!)
- Hike 40 mins upstream along the creek until you see three stacked stones
- Go uphill left at stones until the burnt smell hits your nose
Bring real bug spray. And extra gas. Trust me.
