What's new: 5/20. Tuesday AT's. Spring FCE series. SC hikes through October. SG hikes through June. Anthony's Nose Pix
Legend: AMC=Appalachian Mountain Club, AT=Appalachian Trail, CL=Co-leader, CPL=Commuter Parking Lot or Carpool, FCE=Farmington Continuing Education, L=Leader, LH=Local Hike, PSF=Peoples State Forest, SC=Sierra Club, SG=Sleeping Giant Park Assoc., U=unofficial
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CURRENT SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 1, 8:45am, FCE - Mattatuck Trail, Plymouth/Wolcott
We will pass Buttermilk Falls, Marino Pond, Indian Jack cave (with overlook), and Charlie Krug cave. Plan possible extra time for this 4.8 mile ramble. Meet at Peterson Memorial Park: S on Rt 69 in Bristol, L on West St. (still Rt 69). 6.4 mi. to R on Mad River Rd. - about ¼ mi. to park entrance. (Est. 15 min. drive from jnc. Rt6/69.) L: Len Berton
Tuesday, May 6, 7:15 am, FCE-U, Appalachian Trail, NJ Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
We will continue our trek on the AT. Meet in Burlington at the commuter lot adjacent to the Burlington Library/Little League field on Library Lane. This hike is about 9.2 miles. Anticipate a return time of about 9 pm to Burlington (but remember, be flexible). Please read the hiking list and pack accordingly, and of course bring plenty of water, snacks, and food. L: Marie Coons
Thursday, May 8, 8:45am, FCE - Metacomet Trail, Plainville/Farmington postponed to 5/29 due to weather
Meet on Pinnacle Rd. opposite Reservoir Rd. (off Rt. 6 in Farmington just west of the Tomasso gravel operation). Park on shoulders and along road, staying well clear of driveways. We will carpool to Rt. 372 in Plainville and hike back. This trail has several magnificent overlooks, highlighted by Pinnacle Rock with views in all directions. Then we will pass Will Warren's den which many will remember from previous seasons. L: Len Berton
Sunday, May 11, 8:00am. SG, Early Bird Watchers’ Hike
All hikes are open to the public. Hike will leave from the bulletin board at the Sleeping Giant Park entrance on the north side of Mt. Carmel Avenue in northern Hamden, about 0.5 mile east of Whitney Avenue. Hikers should wear comfortable, supportive shoes and bring snacks and water, as desired. No pets, please.
Tuesday, May 13, 7:15 am, FCE-U, Appalachian Trail, NJ - Cross Delaware Water Gap bridge into PA
We will continue our trek on the AT. Meet in Burlington at the commuter lot
adjacent to the Burlington Library/Little League field on Library Lane. This
hike is about 8 miles. Anticipate a return time of about 9 pm to Burlington
(but remember, be flexible). Please read the hiking list and pack accordingly,
and of course bring plenty of water, snacks, and food. L: Marie
Coons
Wednesday, May 14, 7pm -- Talk: Rambling in Burlington - Burlington Library Association Annual Meeting
The president of the Burlington Land Trust and the Southern Tunxis Trail manager will speak at the Burlington Library (Library Lane, past the Little League field) about the many miles of trails in Burlington. The Mile of Ledges trail (see tomorrow's hike) will be one of the highlights of the presentation. There will also be some good hiking tips. L: Paul Rochford & Dan Casey
Thursday, May 15, 8:45am, FCE - Tunxis Mile of Ledges, Burlington
A moderately difficult 3.2 mile loop through the Martha Brower Wildlife Sanctuary, Mile of Ledges, and historic Tory Den. Meet at Scoville Rd. at Rt. 69 opposite Lamson Corner cemetery in Burlington, and we will carpool to the trailhead. This point is 2+ mi. S of jct. Rt. 4 & Rt. 69. L: Len Berton
Tuesday, May 20, 8:45 am, FCE-U, Regicides - Quinnipiac Trail, Hamden [contingent upon completion of 5/13 hike]
Meet at Farmington CPL Rt. 4 at Town Farm Rd near golf course. 7 miles. Details TBA. Bring plenty of water, snacks, and lunch. L: Marie Coons
Thursday, 8:45 am May 22,, FCE -- Tunxis Devil's Kitchen
Meet at Scoville Rd at Rt. 69, opposite Lamson Corner Cemetery in Burlington. We will hike a 4.6 mile loop section of the Tunxis Trail, which will include the "Devil's Kitchen," which is actually a beautiful box canyon. Following the hike, those who wish to celebrate the successful season will adjourn to a nice local restaurant for lunch. L: Len Berton
Thursday, May 29, 8:45am, FCE - Metacomet Trail, Plainville/Farmington (weather postponement makeup)
Meet on Pinnacle Rd. opposite Reservoir Rd. (off Rt. 6 in Farmington just west of the Tomasso gravel operation). Park on shoulders and along road, staying well clear of driveways. We will carpool to Rt. 372 in Plainville and hike back. This trail has several magnificent overlooks, highlighted by Pinnacle Rock with views in all directions. Then we will pass Will Warren's den which many will remember from previous seasons. L: Len Berton
Sunday, June 8, 1:30pm. SG, HIKE-A-GIANT 2007
In conjunction with National Trails Day. All hikes are open to the public. Hike will leave from the bulletin board at the Sleeping Giant Park entrance on the north side of Mt. Carmel Avenue in northern Hamden, about 0.5 mile east of Whitney Avenue. Hikers should wear comfortable, supportive shoes and bring snacks and water, as desired. No pets, please.
Saturday, June 14th, 10 am, SC, Peoples State Forest, Barkhamsted
There are always things to learn on CT hikes and this state forest is no different with the Stone Museum and the Barkhamsted Lighthouse. This can be a long hike if we like; 7 miles with 1,000 feet of elevation rise in about 4 hours with a stop for lunch. From the junction of CT 318 and US 44 east of Winsted, proceed east of CT 318 across the Farmington River and take the first left onto East River Rd. In 0.8 mile, by the Peoples Forest sign, fork right onto Greenwoods Rd., the paved state forest road. You have missed your turn if you come to a picnic area on your left. Then, in 0.2 mile, turn left up a short gravel road to a parking lot by the well-constructed trailside Stone Museum. Bring plenty of water, snacks or lunch, and good hiking boots for stability and traction. RSVP: connecticut.chapter@sierraclub.org or 860-508-9952
Sunday, June 22, 9:30pm, SG, Invasive Species Hike/Project
All hikes are open to the public. Hike will leave from the bulletin board at the Sleeping Giant Park entrance on the north side of Mt. Carmel Avenue in northern Hamden, about 0.5 mile east of Whitney Avenue. Hikers should wear comfortable, supportive shoes and bring snacks and water, as desired. No pets, please.
Saturday, July 19th, 10 am, SC, Soapstone Mountain, Somers
Learn why this natural resource was prized by Native Americans and early settlers in the midst of what is now the 6,000 acre Shenipsit State Forest. The hike is about 4 miles with a vertical rise of about 700 feet. It will be about 2.5 hours. From the junction of CT 140 and CT 83, N on CT 83 for 4 miles to Parker Road and turn right. After 1.3 miles (the last 0.4 miles is a three-season dirt road), at a four-way junction with Soapstone Road and Sykes Road, park across the way to your left. Bring plenty of water, snacks or lunch, and good hiking boots for stability and traction. RSVP: connecticut.chapter@sierraclub.org or 860-508-9952
Saturday
, August 16th, 10 am, SC,This well preserved 1,746 acres is a great example of a place early settlers were scared of for the wolves and occasional mountain lion 350 years ago. It’s now a refuge for wildlife and people alike in the asphalt wilderness of southwest CT. The hike is about 6.5 miles and about 3.5 hours plus lunch. Take the Merritt Parkway (CT 15) to exit 42. Go north on CT 57 for about 5 miles, turn right onto Godfrey Rd, and after 0.5 mile turn left onto Pent Road. The parking lot is at the end of this road. Bring plenty of water, snacks or lunch, and good hiking boots for stability and traction. RSVP: connecticut.chapter@sierraclub.org or 860-508-9952
Saturday
, September 13th, 10 am, SC,Learn why this is called Wolf Den and what does Israel Putnam have to do with it on this 5 mile, 3-hour hike. Mashamoquet (mash-muk-it; “stream of good fishing”) State Park’s 781 acres has great biological and botanical diversity and may provide good early leaf-peeping opportunities as well as wildlife. And although dogs are allowed on the trail under control, they do lessen the chance to see wildlife. From CT 101 just east of its junction with US 44 in Pomfret, S on Wolf Den Drive for 0.7 mile. L into the Wolf Den camping area for parking. (the NO PETS sign applies to the campground). Bring plenty of water, snacks or lunch, and good hiking boots for stability and traction. RSVP: connecticut.chapter@sierraclub.org or 860-508-9952
Saturday
October 18th, 10 am, SC, Hartman Park, LymeThere’s over 3 centuries of American history on this 4 mile 2 ½ hour hike. You’ll learn some secrets of sassafras and why this area was a back-up plan if religious problems in England worsened. Hartman Park can be found by taking CT 156 from Hadlyme for 1.8 miles south from its junction with CT 82. Turn left onto Beaverbrook Road, just past Lyme School. After 2.7 miles turn left again onto Gungy Road. The park entrance is 1 mile down this road on your right. Bring plenty of water, snacks or lunch, and good hiking boots for stability and traction. RSVP: connecticut.chapter@sierraclub.org or 860-508-9952