Connecticut Hiking

Please call FCE at 860-404-0290 and register for Course NAT102 "Hikes", or click here to enroll on-line. Distances will be about 4 - 6 miles, with back-to-cars goal before 12:30pm. Also see Hiking Notes.

First hike: Lollipop Tunxis and Punch Brook Trails, Burlington POSTPONED TO NOV. 8TH

At intersection of Routes 4 and 179, follow Rt. 4 (Spielman Hwy) west for 1.25 miles. Turn left on Mountain Spring Rd. and park along the road.

Lollipop Tunxis yellow dot, Punch Brook purple dot, and back to Tunxis yellow dot. About 4 miles / 2 ½ hours. Includes a white pine forest, ravines around rock outcroppings, and water features. Optional walk at the end to fish ponds at the Burlington State Fish Hatchery.

Hike is moderate with two hills to begin, flat areas and other mild hills throughout. Break at a brook. Click here for more information. L: Anne Fitzgerald, 860-673-1216, 860-839-1788 that morning.

We will be hiking 2 - 2 1/2 hours on several Canton Land Trust properties that encircle the Breezy Hill Farm. Meet at the Sun, Wind, and Woodland property parking lot. Take Route 44 past the Saybrook Fish House toward New Hartford. R onto Indian Hill Rd. until it ends. R on Breezy Hill Road. Go to the top of the hill past the red house on the left, and the Sun, Wind, and Woodland parking lot will be on your left with a big yellow sign and a kiosk. We will hike the Sun, Wind, and Woodland property, the Sweeton Trail, and the Breezy Hill Farm. Reference: Canton Land Conservation Trust L: Dick Trask 860 670 2353.

Indian Council Caves Trail is a 4.9 mile out and back trail with a 450' elevation gain within the Tunxis State Forest near the banks of the Barkhamsted Reservoir, and is rated moderate. There is a small parking area along Route 219 just west of the intersection with Hillcrest Drive. There is also roadside parking along Hillcrest Drive. We’ll step over the cable guardrail, and enter woods of tulip trees, red oak, maple, hemlock and ash, with clumps of mountain laurel and witch hazel. Beneath the ceiling of trees lies a intricate matrix of cinnamon and Christmas fern, Canada mayflower, goldthread, and rose twisted-stalk, which have colonized the spaces between the boulders. L: Grant Summers 401-575-0343

Thursday, Oct. 4, 8:45am, FCE, Ethel Walker Woods Trails, Simsbury

Starting at Bushy Hill Road, Route 167 & Stratton Brook Road, go west on Stratton Brook. Turn left onto Town Line Road and go 1 mile to 86 Town Line Road and parking lot on left.

Hike is moderate with a few climbs. Babbling brooks, Ethel Walker equestrian grounds, easterly views of Talcott Mountain. Click here for map and more information. L: Jerry Marcum, Cell 860 810 0087

Thursday, Oct. 11, 8:45am, FCE, Barnes Nature Center and Sessions Woods Hike, Burlington/Bristol

Meet at Sessions Woods parking lot in Burlington (Rte 69). We will car spot to The Barnes Nature Center and hike the Barnes Trails and the Nature Center Connector (black-dot Tunxis) to the Sessions Woods loop trail.

Hike is moderate with waterfall and Marsh Trail views. L: Tom Iezzi 860-413-2627(H); day of hike 860-856-1753.

Thursday, October 18, 8:45 am, FCE, Two Peaks in the "Icebox" with Views, Norfolk

We will take two easy hikes in Norfolk's Haystack Mountain and Dennis Hill State Parks. The one has tower views across the Berkshires to Vermont, while the other has views toward New York and the Mad River Valley. With limited parking at both State Parks, please meet for a carpool at 8:45 am at Canton Park and Ride, intersection of Rtes. 179 and 44. For those who must travel alone, google Haystack State Park in Norfolk CT where we will meet halfway up the mountain at the parking lot at 9:15. Bring a lunch/snack for eating at Dr. Dennis's Gazebo. Come and enjoy Peter Marteka's claim as "the best overlook mix" in Connecticut. Dress appropriately and remember Norfolk's peaks weather.

L: Ed Shaskan (H) 860-561-0040 (C) 860-833-8009 Hike Day

Thursday, Oct 25, 8:45 am, FCE - Tariffville Gorge/ Route 20 to Old Hartford Ave.

Distance 3.9 miles. Meet at Old Hartford Ave., Tariffville. Take Rt. 189 N bridge across Farmington River just beyond Tariffville Village, look for the blue Metacomet Trail marker on the east side of the road. Limited parking is available by the marker with additional parking along Old Hartford Ave. We will car spot to Rt 20. The hike is N to S on the Metacomet Trail (part of the New England Trail) along the ridge line, back to Tariffville with spectacular views of the Farmington River, Simsbury and Granby. Reference: click here. L: Dick Trask 860 670 2353

Thursday, Nov. 1, 8:45am, FCE, Heublein Tower via Metacomet Trail

We’ll meet in The Penwood State Park parking area located on Route 185, west of Route 178 and east of Route 10. The Heublein Tower provides a splendid view of the Connecticut landscape. Metacomet Trail hikers may encounter a variety of wildlife including deer, fox and rabbits in this natural sanctuary. Bird watchers enjoy occasional sightings of the turkey vulture, bald eagle, and pileated woodpecker. Hikers find wildflowers such as trillium, trout lily, wood anemone, and Dutchman’s breeches among the damp, craggy rocks. L: Grant Summers 401-575-0343

Thursday, Nov. 8, 8:45am, FCE, Lollipop Tunxis and Punch Brook Trails, Burlington (postponed from Sept. 13)

At intersection of Routes 4 and 179, follow Rt. 4 (Spielman Hwy) west for 1.25 miles. Turn left on Mountain Spring Rd. and park along the road.

CONNECTICUT HIKING

What's new: Sept. 13 hike postponed.