MAY 2002 SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 2, 8:45 a.m., FCE Hike, Lamentation Mtn., Berlin-Middletown
Whichever way is easiest for you -- drive to Rt. 5-15 (Berlin Tpk-Wilbur Cross Hwy) in Berlin. From the intersection of Rt. 9 and 5-15, drive south on 5-15 for about 1½ to 2 miles and take a left onto Spruce Brook Rd. (about 3rd left after Sage Park). There is a light at this intersection and an oval Blue Trail sign. Take your 1st right off Spruce Brook Rd. onto Lamentation Dr. Follow around until you see blue marks on a guardrail along some woods on the left side of the road just before you pass a woods road with a gate across it. Park on the side by the guardrail. This hike is planned as an up and back with a gradual climb and beautiful views. The start of it can be very wet and muddy. L: Marie Coons
Saturday, May 4, 2002, 9 a.m. PSF Spring Flower Walk
Walk on the Buck Trail . Meet at the entrance to the Matthies Grove Picnic Area on East River Rd. Bring water, insect spray, and allow 2 hours for less than a mile walk over uneven ground. L: Erik Landgraf
Sun., May 5, 8:00 a.m. Sleeping Giant Early Bird Watchers' Hike
Meet at the bulletin board at the park entrance. The Sleeping Giant Park is on Mt. Carmel Avenue in northern Hamden, on the left-hand side, about 0.5 mile in from Whitney Avenue (Rt. 10). Hikers should wear comfortable, supportive shoes and bring snacks and water
Sun., May 5, 9:30 a.m. AMC Hike, Gay City and Beyond (B2C)
Hike 8+ mi. from Gay city to Pine Lookout on Birch Mtn. using outer loop and Shenipsit trail. Steady rain cancels; if in doubt call by 8 AM. Meet in Hebron at park entrance on Rt. 85. L Debbie Tedford 860-742-7673
Monday, May 6, 8:45 a.m., MPR Hike, Mine Hill Preserve, Roxbury
Meet at the Congregational Church on the green in Washington to CPL. Mine Hill Preserve has very unique trails. We will pass 4 mine shafts, a granite quarry and some well-preserved ruins of an old iron ore operation. There is also a nice view of the Shepaug River. Moderate. Time about 2 hours.. L's: Cindy LaPlaca / Leslie Handelman
Tuesday, May 7, 8:45 a.m., "Unofficial" FCE Hike, Metacomet-Monadnock Trail - MA
Meet at Sperry Park (upper lot) which is on Rt.10 in Avon between the old Towpath School and the new Avon Wellness Center (Healthtrax), just north of Rt. 44. We will start in Suffield, CT and go north into MA. Anticipate a 1:30 PM return time to the cars in Avon. L: Marie Coons
Thursday, May 9, 8:45 a.m., FCE Hike, Chauncey Peak, Meriden
From Rt. 9 in Berlin, drive south on 5-15 (just like the May 2 hike). When Rt. 5 splits from Rt. 15, take Rt. 5 south (bear right) onto N. Broad St. Then take a left onto Westfield Rd. (about 2nd left), follow past a golf course, and park in the parking lot of Giuffrida Park. This loop hike includes a few steep sections, but will be worth the effort because of the views. L: Marie Coons
Saturday, May 11, 10:30 a.m. SC Hike, Monthly Dog-Friendly Hike
Meet at Shady Glen, East Middle Turnpike, Manchester. Moderate 2 hr. forest hike at a scenic East of the River location. Friendly dogs welcome. Please bring a leash and clean-up bag along. Rain cancels. Call Renee for more info./location details: 860-646-5762
Saturday, May 11, 9:30 a.m. AMC Hike, Cockaponset State Forest (B3C)
A combination of unmarked footpaths, horse trails, and woods roads make for an attractive 7 mi. hike. Limited pkng. requires carpool from meeting place to forest. Meet at CPL, Exit 6, Rte. 9, Chester. Steady rain cancels; if in doubt call L by 8:30AM. L John Cunningham, 860-342-4564.
Sunday, May 12, 9:30 a.m. AMC Hike, White Memorial Conservation Ctr (B3C)
Visit remains of old ice harvesting operation on Bantam Lake, then walk the boardwalk around Little Pond and over to Heron Pond. Meet Ctr. pkng. lot near museum bldg., off Rte. 202, Litchfield, about 2.5 mi. W of Litchfield green. Rain cancels; if in doubt call L by 8AM. L John Scully, 203-272-5204
Monday, May 13, 8:30 a.m., MPR Hike, Mohawk Mt., Cornwall Postponed to after end of series due to weather - date t.b.a.
Starting at Mohawk Pond. Meet at the Litchfield Stop & Shop to CPL. A steady, although not steep climb to the fire tower at the top of the mountain. Great views of the valley especially from the top of the tower. Moderate. Time about 2 hours.. L's: Cindy LaPlaca / Leslie Handelman
Tuesday, May 14, 8:45 a.m., The Hoppers - Birge Pond, Bristol
Meet at Sessions Woods, which is on Rt. 69, 3.5 miles south of Rt. 4 in Burlington. We'll try all the trails in this pleasant little park, and learn what "hoppers" are. Bring snacks, water and bug spray. Return time to the cars estimated at noon. L: Len Berton
Thursday, May 16, 8:45 a.m., FCE Hike, Leatherman's Cave, Thomaston-Watertown
From Unionville, take Rt. 4 west through Burlington, to Rt. 118, to Rt. 8 south, and exit onto Rt. 6 west (Exit 38). Follow Rt. 6 west just past the entrance to Black Rock State Park and turn right on Bidwell Hill Rd. Park in the lot on the right. This trail is rather popular, has some nice views, and the cave is fascinating. L: Marie Coons
Saturday, May 18, 10 a.m. SC Hike, White Memorial Foundation & Conservation Center, Litchfield
Meet at the park entrance parking lot by the museum off Route 202 (Whitehall Road, about 2 miles west of Litchfield Center), for a relaxed 4+ mile hike. Rain date May 19. Call L Michael Hofmann at (860) 521-6161 for more information.
Sunday, May 19, 10 a.m. AMC Hike, Tunxis Trail, Sessions Woods (B2C)
A combination of marked and unmarked trails, passing several beaver ponds. L is bringing dog (yellow lab). Meet at Sessions Woods gravel pkng. area, to R of main pkng. lot, Rte. 69, Burlington, less than 1 mi. N of Bristol town line. Rain cancels; if in doubt call L by 9AM. Peter Dorpalen, 860-674-1840
Monday, May 20, 8:15 a.m., MPR Hike, Lake Lillinonah, Newtown
Carpools from 2 locations: either Rt.8/Rt.118 CPL in Litchfield or Congregational Church on the green in Washington. If you want to meet at the trailhead in Newtown at 9:00, call Cindy (860-567-4804) for directions. This is a fabulous hike with views of the lake from every angle. We will need to car spot -- we'll set this up when we all meet at the trailhead. Moderate with one strenuous hill. Time about 2 hours.. L's: Cindy LaPlaca / Leslie Handelman
Tuesday, May 21, 8:45 a.m., The Hoppers - Birge Pond, Bristol
Repeat of May 14. Meet at Sessions Woods, which is on Rt. 69, 3.5 miles south of Rt. 4 in Burlington. We'll follow several trails in this pleasant park, and learn what "hoppers" are. Bring snacks, water and bug spray. Return time to the cars estimated about 1pm. L: Len Berton
Thursday, May 23, 8:45 a.m., FCE Hike, Tunxis Trail, Southington + PICNIC
Take Rt. 177 south, right onto Rt. 6 west, left onto Rt. 229 south, right onto Welch Rd. (past Briarwood College), left on Mt. Vernon Rd., left onto Jude Lane (about 2nd left), and park near #581. This is our last official hike and we usually have a potluck type lunch after at someone's house. Yvonne so nicely volunteered to host us this spring and this is where she lives. We will carpool to our hike from here and come back to eat. L: Marie Coons
Saturday, May 25, 10:30 a.m. AMC Hike, Huntington State Park (B3B)
Join a 5 - 6 mi. loop hike in park incl. lunch stop. Meet at park entrance on Sunset Hill Rd., Redding, 0.5 mi. from Rte. 58. L Rob Munro, 203-406-9582, CL welcome.
Sunday, May 26, 1:30 p.m. Sleeping Giant Nature Trail Hike
Meet at the bulletin board at the park entrance. The Sleeping Giant Park is on Mt. Carmel Avenue in northern Hamden, on the left-hand side, about 0.5 mile in from Whitney Avenue (Rt. 10). Hikers should wear comfortable, supportive shoes and bring snacks and water
Sunday, May 26, 10 a.m. AMC Hike, Zoar Trail, Newtown (B3BC)
A 7.5 mi. loop on the W side of Lake Zoar in Lower Paugusset State Forest. 75% blue trail w/ interesting waterfall. Meet at trailhead in pkng. lot at end of Great Quarter Rd., Newtown, 1.5 mi. from Rte. 34. Great Quarter Rd. is on the R hand side 250 yd. W of jct. Rtes. 34 & 111, Stevenson. Bad weather cancels; if in doubt call L by 8:30AM. L Claude Zeller, 203-261-0628, CL welcome.
Thursday, May 30, 8:45 a.m., "Unofficial" FCE Hike, AT, Cornwall Bridge
Meet at Burlington Commons and we should return by 3 PM. We will carpool to the hike which will start on Rt.4 near Cornwall Bridge. The plan is to car spot so we will hike about 5 miles on the AT. There will be some brook crossings (extra socks might come in handy) and beautiful views. The book describes this hike as "easy." L: Marie Coons