NOVEMBER 2009 SCHEDULE
Tuesday, Nov 3. 8:45am, FCE-U, Cockaponset Trail, Haddam
Meet in the commuter parking lot at
the intersection of RT 4 and Town Farm Rd. in Farmington to carpool to Haddam
for this beautiful 7 mile hike. Anticipate a mid to late afternoon return
time. L: Marie Coons
Thursday, Nov 5, 8:45 am, FCE, Metacomet Trail,
Ragged Mountain Preserve, Berlin Cancelled due
to weather and potentially slippery trails. Will do in the Spring.
View Ragged Mtn in a larger map
Follow West Lane to the Ragged Mt. Preserve sign and park. Parking very limited so try to form carpools; if necessary park behind other cars in our group. Anticipate a possible later than usual completion time (estimate is 1pm but trail has some difficult footing which may slow us down). This is a 6-mile loop with steep and rocky places. But there are lots of beautiful overlooks as a reward. L: Len Berton
Saturday, November 7th; 10 am, SC, Voluntown, Green Fall Pond
(C/D, 5.7 miles, 3 hours). This secluded part of Connecticut may remind us of hibernating for the approaching winter. It’s part of the Last Green Valley and after this hike, I’m sure you’ll want to see it stay that way. You’ll learn about plans to acquire land between patches of the Pachaug State Forest before development can get a foothold. Take I-395 to exit 85. Be sure to go straight off the exit and keep looking for Route 138 signs. It looks like you’re continuing on the highway if you go straight but you’ll be going to Route 138 east. Take Route 138 to the intersection of Routes 138, 49, and 165 in Voluntown. They all meet at an intersection. Take Route 49 south for 4 miles, and then turn left onto Sand Hill Rd. In about a mile turn right onto Wheeler Rd. and go 0.5 mile, where you will see the blue blazes of the Narraganset Trail. Park near the blazes, pulling off the road as far as possible. L: John Calandrelli (SC) 860-236-4405
Sunday, November
8, 11:00am, SG, Fall Hikers’ HikeA strenuous hike over rough terrain - FOR EXPERIENCED HIKERS ONLY! 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, Nov. 10, 8:45 am, FCE-U, Fall Brook Trail, Hartland
Meet in the parking lot of Ocean State Job Lot, Canton, to carpool to this hike of about 2.5 miles (short, but nice woods, stream, and falls). We should finish by noon. L: Marie Coons
Thursday, Nov 12, 8:45am, FCE – Tunxis
Trails, Burlington region
View GW Cul-de-sac in a larger map
Meet at end of G.Washington Tpk. and park in cul-de-sac or along the road. We will carpool to start the hike on Old Field Rd., where we will take the yellow-dot, white-dot, and mainline blue trails back to the cars. Following the hike, we will celebrate the "official" end of our successful season with lunch at a nice local restaurant. L: Len Berton
Thursday, Nov 19, 8:45 am, FCE, Tunxis Mile of Ledges, Burlington
View Burlington CPL in a larger map
A moderately difficult 3.2 mile loop through the Martha Brower Wildlife Sanctuary, Mile of Ledges, and historic Tory Den. Meet at the CPL on Library Lane off Rt. 4 next to the Little League field, and we will carpool to the trailhead. Estimated completion before noon. L: Len Berton
Saturday, November 21st; 10 am, SC, Barkhamsted, Peoples State Forest
(B/C, 7 miles, 4 hours) 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 a well-constructed trailside museum. L: John Calandrelli (SC) 860-236-4405
Thursday, Nov
26, 8:45 am, LH, Penwood State Park, SimsburyThanksgiving Day morning Hike. Want to burn a few calories in preparation for Thanksgiving dinner? Distance 4.5 to 5 miles. We will take the blue trail north past Lake Louise and ascend stone steps to former site of Veeder cabin. The return trip will be via the yellow trail to the parking lot. Meet at Penwood State Park - entrance and parking lot on Rt. 185 near Simsbury-Bloomfield town line. L: Jerry Marcum 860 810 0087